Western business practice may have travelled a long way from the days of bosses being segregated from the workers; but however flat the management model, there are some people who are on top of the pile, and others inevitably underneath.  It may have nothing to do with the organisational style, and is usually more about the personalities who will not submit to others.  It is not wrong to have leadership and the job will often be done better and faster with clear direction (as long as everybody is happy to accept it).  Some people are natural leaders and others work best when they follow others.  But at the end of the task, the thing that holds any military unit, professional practice, construction site or farm together (and makes everybody eager for the next assignment), is harmony in relationships.

This verse is the curtain raiser for Paul's discussion about marriage and the church, and will be followed by instructions for parenting and employment relationships too (Ephesians 5:21-6:9).  Its principle of putting self in second place was first violated in the Garden of Eden by Eve and Adam, and then by Cain when he murdered Abel.  But Jesus taught and demonstrated that He chose only to say what Father God told Him (John 12:49) and chose to submit to His Father's will (Luke 22:42).  This important principle was prophesised in Psalm 40:6-8 and re-emphasised in Hebrews 10:7-9.  In contrast to the unbelieving religious leaders who unconsciously submitted to the devil (John 8:44), James 4:7 tells us to: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Submitting to each other in marriage, the church and the workplace is an expression of our worship.  When we worship we place ourselves beneath the object of our adoration.  So, when we worship the Lord - we place ourselves and our personal preferences below His.  If we submit to other people because we adore them, they can easily become our idols.  If we submit because we are forced to, we will become bitter.  But if we submit to the Lord first, then we can work under others without resentment, and over others without haughtiness.  The place where the submissive-to-Jesus heart is most easily seen is at work, in willing and cheerful submissive teamwork: but the place where it has to count is in the home.  And the marriage that works under the 'Jesus rules' of mutual submission, will also bring enrichment to any workplace.

As in any football or rugby game: every marriage, family and church are intended to operate as a team.  Even the celebrity striker will choose to give way to the goalie, and the fly half steps aside for prop forwards.  The most zealous manager on the bench must give the operational 'say so' to the captain on the pitch.  These are highly disciplined people, but they know how to submit to each other.  That is the secret of a godly marriage, sanctified church and a productive workplace.  It is not the bullying deacon or outrageous husband who sets the team for consistent success but those who are willing to place themselves and their gifting at the disposal of the others; glad that others have their special place too.