Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible: The Social and Literary Context by David Instone-Brewer

Author:David Instone-Brewer [David Instone-Brewer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-08-05T13:42:00+00:00

i.submission of the wife to her husband,

2.submission of children to their father, and

3.submission of slaves to their master.

This moral code is quoted and given a Christian commentary in Ephesians 5:22-6:9; Colossians 3:18-4:1; 1 Peter 2:18-3:7 (wife and slaves only); and i Timothy 2:9-15, 6:1-2 (wife and slaves only). This non-Christian moral code is transmitted faithfully in these different parts of the NT, though in each case the author adds Christian caveats and comments. i Peter discusses why one should submit to unworthy masters and husbands (2:19; 3:1) and concludes that it was necessary to aid evangelism, following the example of Christ (3:1). 1 Timothy discusses why one should submit to fellow believers and concludes that otherwise the faith would be slandered (6:1). Some of them comment that submission should be honest and not just for show, and that one should submit in the same way that Christ submitted (i Pet. 2:20-23; Eph. 6:6-8; Col. 3:22-24). Colossians and Ephesians add a series of caveats addressed to the paterfamilias; these caveats emphasize that submission does not mean denigration: wives should be honored and loved (Eph. 5:25-33; Col. 3:19); children should not be frustrated (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21); slaves should be treated with respect (Eph. 6:9; Col. 4:1); and all Christians (including, presumably, the pater familias) should submit to each other (Eph. 5:21).

Taking these passages as a whole, it would appear that the main reason for following this submission code was to conform with the normal expectation of what morality meant in the first century. Yet the airn was to move beyond mere conformity and submit willingly, in true service, as though to the Lord. However, the Christian paterfamilias had to give respect to those who were submitting to him. The motive for all this was the proclamation of the gospel because if this social structure were not followed, the faith would be slandered. This is stated clearly in i Timothy 6:1, though perhaps it is even clearer in Titus 2:4-5:

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