"Wives, be subject/submissive (υποτασσω) to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything." Ephesians 5:22-24"Wives, be subject/submissive (υποτασσω) to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord." Colossians 3:18"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject/submissive (υποτασσω) to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." Titus 2:3-5"In the same way, you wives, be subject/submissive (υποτασσω) to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior." 1 Peter 3:1-2
The Greek word hupotasso (υποτασσω; 5293) means "to subordinate; to subject, put in subjection; to obey; to submit; to yield to one's admonition or advice."
Wives are to be submissive to their husbands "in everything" (Eph. 5:24). While a good husband will listen to the wise council of his godly wife, nevertheless, whether right or wrong, the final decision is his to make and he bears the burden for it before God alone. As we are told in 1 Timothy 2:14, "it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression." Yet, who did God hold accountable? Adam. Why? Because he "is the head of the wife" (Eph. 5:22; 1 Cor. 11:3).
In each of the passages above, the reason why a wife should submit to her husband is given: because "it is fitting in the Lord" (Col. 3:18); "so that the word of God will not be dishonored" (Titus 2:5); and "so that even if any of [their husbands] are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives" (1 Pet. 3:1). The ultimate reason is that they are to do so "as to the Lord" (Eph. 5:22). The implication here is that if she will not be submissive to the Lord, then she will not be submissive to her husband, which, then, is disobedience to the Lord. This disobedience is not to be judged by the husband, but the husband is to "love (αγαπαω) [his wife], just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (Eph. 5:25). Agapao (αγαπαω; 25) denotes "to take pleasure in the thing, prize it above all other things, be unwilling to abandon it or do without it." Agape love is unconditional, sacrificial love that is given whether the other person deserves it or has earned it.
In each of the passages above, the reason why a wife should submit to her husband is given: because "it is fitting in the Lord" (Col. 3:18); "so that the word of God will not be dishonored" (Titus 2:5); and "so that even if any of [their husbands] are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives" (1 Pet. 3:1). The ultimate reason is that they are to do so "as to the Lord" (Eph. 5:22). The implication here is that if she will not be submissive to the Lord, then she will not be submissive to her husband, which, then, is disobedience to the Lord. This disobedience is not to be judged by the husband, but the husband is to "love (αγαπαω) [his wife], just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (Eph. 5:25). Agapao (αγαπαω; 25) denotes "to take pleasure in the thing, prize it above all other things, be unwilling to abandon it or do without it." Agape love is unconditional, sacrificial love that is given whether the other person deserves it or has earned it.
In the Garden of Eden, after Eve was deceived and fell into transgression, God pronounced this curse upon her: "your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you" (Gen. 3:16). It does not mean she will desire him affectionately, as some pervert it to mean, but that she will desire his position over her. The logical question here, to those who pervert it, should be: How is it a curse for a wife to affectionately desire her husband? It is not. As God said through Paul, "I do not allow a woman to...exercise authority over a man" (1 Tim. 2:12). This in no way devalues the worth of a woman, especially a good, godly woman whose "worth is far above jewels" (Prov. 31:10). Men and women are equal in the sight of God, being made in His image, but they are made in different aspects of His image and have been given different roles. In the Godhead, while Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are completely equal, nevertheless they have different roles. The Son is equal to the Father, yet the Son submits to the Father. A woman's submission to her husband should be a joyous occasion.