Bible Verses About Submission

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account."

"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility."

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church."

"Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."

"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme."

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

What does the Bible say about submission?

Submission is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the Bible. Far from being weakness, biblical submission is a deliberate act of strength—choosing to place yourself under authority out of reverence for God. Key King James Version passages include James 4:7, Ephesians 5:21, Hebrews 13:17. This page collects 10 KJV verses about submission, each quoted in full.

What does biblical submission mean?

Biblical submission is voluntarily placing yourself under authority out of reverence for God (Ephesians 5:21). It begins with submitting to God (James 4:7) and extends to relationships, church leadership, and civil authority. It is not forced compliance but a willing, Spirit-led posture of humility and trust.

Does submission mean being a doormat?

No. Biblical submission is an act of strength, not weakness. Jesus submitted to the Father but was the most powerful person who ever lived. Submission does not mean accepting abuse or abandoning discernment. It means trusting God's order while maintaining dignity. When human authority contradicts God, 'we ought to obey God rather than men' (Acts 5:29).