An Investigation Of The Epistemic Utility Of The Word “Submit” As Used In The Bible To Talk About Marriage | David Antia

Paul said to the Corinthians “ What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly.” (2 Corinthians 11:17), I ask my believing brethren, Does God speak foolishly ?

An Investigation Of The Epistemic Utility Of The Word “Submit “ As Used In “Wives Submit To Your Husband” (Ephesian 5:22)

It is important, that we investigate any belief that that has any causal effect in our lives and society.

Anybody who is a Christian should learn the lifestyle of Jesus. Jesus came into this world, he was not necessarily dogmatic and that is why he argued with the Authorities that held lectern for Jewish tradition. Of course, he argued the bible with them as it should be

When he was approached by people and his disciples and asked if he does not obey the Bible. He said he respects  the Bible, but that certain things that were written in the days of Isaiah was for the purpose of that time and that situations made God establish certain laws. Example, tooth for tooth and eye for eye which he abolished. Do you say again that the word of God is unchangeable?

What was the implication of Jesus’ asseveration? – the implication was that as the dynamics of the society changes, certain Laws must change.

This is not different from how our own society works. Religion aside, every law enjoys amendments with time

Am I here to amend the Bible?

No, but to investigate it like Jesus did and to offer my own opinion. Jesus put himself at loggerheads with the Jews, the Pharisees, the scribes e.t.c. The reason was not because the things he said was not useful for the growth of the society. The reason was because the people were too religious to listen to him to see the benefits in the things he said.

Away from this abecedarian reflections, l will be detailing the exegesis of my investigation of the scripture that admonishes women to submit to their husbands

THE  HEBREW WORD FOR SUBMISSION AND ITS RESPECTIVE NEXUS TO MARRIAGE

Words rule the world, it has the potency of causing war and destroying the human race and it is also effective to the quelling of conflict, ending of war and diminishing of violence. This is why, every word should be investigated to know what “effect” it precipitates as words are very important and control the affairs of man. That effect is what I have referred to as “utility”.

The Hebrew word for submission as used in the Bible is לְהִכָּנֵעַ . The word means the following ; to lower, To put or place under, To leave or commit to the discretion or judgment of another or others, To yield one’s person to the power of another; to give up resistance; to surrender, To be submissive or resigned; to yield without murmuring, to recognize one’s inferiority.

WHERE ELSE WAS THE WORD ALSO USED IN THE BIBLE AND WHAT WAS THE MEANING?

In Luke 10:17 When the Seventy returned to Jesus, they exclaimed joyfully, “Master, even the demons SUBMIT to us when we utter your name.”

In another instance, this is what God said to the children of Isreal in Deuteronomy 33:29, “ You are happy, Israel. Who is like you, a people saved by Yahweh, the shield of your help, the sword of your excellency! Your enemies shall SUBMIT themselves to you. You shall TREAD on their high places.”

Without further multiplicity of instances, the word SUBMIT as used in all parts of the Bible implies, “ to bow down, to humble self, e.t.c. It implies force and is mostly used when talking about a relationship with slave and master, subject and authority, e.t.c.

WHAT THEN COMES WITH THE WORD?

When there is submission, the ruling agent has a COMPLETE authority over the subject. This authority includes the power to punish, tread on, subdue, trampled on, defile, afflict and force the subject into obeisance.

THE NEXUS OF THAT WORD TO MARRIAGE IN OUR MODERN SOCIETY

Men now feel that a woman is inferior. They have assumed the position of a ruler over their wife. As a ruler, they give instructions to their wives, and reserve with themselves the power to punish their wives, trample on them and afflict them if they are disobedient.

BUT THE SCRIPTURE IS INSPIRED BY GOD. IS DAVID ANTIA SAYING OTHERWISE?

NO!

Jesus didn’t say that the Bible was not inspired by God when he suggested a new Law and made a change to existing ones. Instead of “eye for eye”, he said “ return the other eye, if your enemy pluck one” – thus implying that you should forgive and endure instead of retaliate.

If you look at the Bible very well, you will know that God gave instruction to men per time.1.0 He will always ask the children of Isreal to go to war with so so country.

Even though, we are not sure of this fact. But let’s assume God used to lead Isreal to fight wars with other nations

2.0 Is he still commanding Isreal to go to war?. When the entire world has now embrace dialogue as a means of settling conflict?

0.0 Peter talking about Paul said that  Paul’s writings are difficult to understand. This is contrary to “…the word of God gives understanding to the simple” 

0.0 It May interest you to know that Paul is the only writer in the bible who says his word is the word of God.  He says to the Thessalonians: “When you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

0.1 This May not be true. His words are his words just like the words of Solomon in Songs of Solomon cannot be the Word of God himself .

ONLY JESUS HAD THE WORD OF GOD

He says, I am the way the truth and the life.

In another place , he says , “I have not spoken on my own authority; but the Father who sent me gave me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that his command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told me, so I speak.” (John 12:49-50).

Even Paul said, “What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly.” (2 Corinthians 11:17).

I ASK YOU MY BELIEVING BRETHREN, DOES GOD SPEAK FOOLISHLY?

My Conclusion: The world has changed greatly, we are in a time where countries are hammering legislations to ensure women their right. (Which mean, they have been  discriminated upon and the society have recognized that and wants to change). This is not a time to talk about submission anymore. The rhetorics should change

David Antia

antiadavid3@gmail.com

David