Equal Before God: Rethinking Submission in Light of Scripture

In my work advancing human rights, I regularly engage with communities, duty bearers, and leaders on the meaning and application of human rights in everyday life. Recently, during a training session for local leaders, we were exploring the Right to Equality. As we delved into gender equality, a participant asked a sincere and familiar question:

“But isn’t this idea of equality contrary to the Bible, which tells women to submit?”

It was an honest and thought-provoking moment. A reflection of the tension many people, including devout believers, feel when navigating what Scripture teaches and what human rights principles promote. Sadly, much of the misunderstanding stems not from Scripture itself, but from cultural interpretations and power-based thinking that have shaped how we define submission and equality.

This article is an invitation to both men and women, to rethink biblical submission, and to recognize that the Bible is not opposed to equality. In fact, it models it.

Yes, the Bible speaks about submission (Ephesians 5:22), particularly within the marriage covenant. But it is important to ask: What kind of submission does God call for?

The biblical idea of submission is voluntary, dignified, and rooted in love not fear or control. It is not about inferiority. It is not about power. And it is never a license for oppression.

Let’s examine what biblical submission truly looks like:

God is a God of order; in creation, in the Church, in the home. Just as Jesus submits to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:28) without being inferior, a wife’s submission is meant to reflect divine harmony, not a hierarchy of worth.

The instruction in Ephesians 5 does not begin with wives. It begins with both parties:

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)

This means both husband and wife are called to put each other’s needs above their own. Mutual submission is the essence of Christ-like love. It leads not to domination, but to unity.

It is not about who kneels, who speaks last, or who earns more. True submission is an inner attitude of humility, grace, and honour, not an external performance.

In my culture, for instance, women kneel before men as a traditional sign of respect. But we must ask: Can someone kneel outwardly but stand inwardly in defiance? Yes.

One can kneel, but when the heart is standing.
And one can stand, yet carry a deeply respectful, submitted heart.

God does not measure submission by cultural gestures, but by the heart’s intention.

“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Biblical submission does not erase a woman’s voice or wisdom. The Proverbs 31 woman is strong, capable, and respected. She makes decisions, manages a household, engages in trade, contributes to both her family and community and speaks with wisdom. Submission never means shrinking into invisibility.

Scripture never permits domination of men over women, abuse, or humiliation, not in the name of leadership, not in the name of submission. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the Church:

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
(Ephesians 5:25)

Christ’s leadership was self-sacrificial, tender, and redemptive. Any expression of “headship” that leads to control, fear, or harm is a distortion, not a reflection, of Christ.

Men and women are biologically, emotionally, and functionally different and that is a beautiful design, not a flaw. But before God and in human dignity, they are equal in worth, value, and destiny.

Let the Scriptures speak:

To advocate for equal treatment, equal voice, and equal opportunity is not rebellion against Scripture. It is alignment with God’s redemptive vision for humanity.

Biblical submission is not incompatible with equality.
It is not a weapon, it is a witness.
A witness to the beauty of God’s order, the power of Christ-like love, and the dignity God has given every person.

When lived out as God intended, submission does not diminish, it uplifts.
It honors, it unites, and it strengthens the bond between man and woman.

Let’s embrace God’s design,
where men and women are different, but equal,
where mutual honor replaces dominance,
and where submission reflects the humility of Christ, not the control of culture.

Submission is not a tool for control.
It is not about keeping women "in their place."
It is a spiritual discipline, for both men and women,
rooted in love, humility, and service.

God did not call men to dominate,
He called them to lead with love.
God did not call women to disappear,
He called them to stand in strength and dignity.

Let us stop using the Bible to silence or suppress.
Let us stop confusing roles with worth.
Let us stop making difference mean less than.

Not despite the Bible —
but because of it.