What does "having dominion" over women really mean?

[jmldn2]

OK, should men have dominion over women in today's world?  Is that biblical.  What does it truly mean to "wives submit" to your husbands?

[other one]

Husbands are supposed to love thier wives as Jesus does the Church......     and wives are supposed to let them...

[Deborah_]

Matthew Henry has a good comment on Eve's curse in Genesis 3:16

“This sentence amounts only to that command, Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; but the entrance of sin has made that duty a punishment, which otherwise it would not have been. If man had not sinned, he would always have ruled with wisdom and love; and, if the woman had not sinned, she would always have obeyed with humility and meekness; and then the dominion would have been no grievance: but our own sin and folly make our yoke heavy.” 

 

Husbands 'have dominion' over their wives purely because of  the Fall. God's original intention for marriage has been distorted. Instead of a side-by-side relationship of mutual respect and love, the marriage relationship all too often becomes one of female manipulation versus male authoritarianism. And it is against this background that the Gospel tells wives to submit (not manipulate) and husbands to love (not tyrannise), bringing their relationship as far back into line with God’s original plan as possible (Ephesians 5:22-25).

 

[enoob57]

Matthew Henry has a good comment on Eve's curse in Genesis 3:16

“This sentence amounts only to that command, Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; but the entrance of sin has made that duty a punishment, which otherwise it would not have been. If man had not sinned, he would always have ruled with wisdom and love; and, if the woman had not sinned, she would always have obeyed with humility and meekness; and then the dominion would have been no grievance: but our own sin and folly make our yoke heavy.” 

 

Husbands 'have dominion' over their wives purely because of  the Fall. God's original intention for marriage has been distorted. Instead of a side-by-side relationship of mutual respect and love, the marriage relationship all too often becomes one of female manipulation versus male authoritarianism. And it is against this background that the Gospel tells wives to submit (not manipulate) and husbands to love (not tyrannise), bringing their relationship as far back into line with God’s original plan as possible (Ephesians 5:22-25).

 

I believe this is the council of Paul here:
1 Cor 7:28
But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned.
Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
KJV

[MorningGlory]

OK, should men have dominion over women in today's world?  Is that biblical.  What does it truly mean to "wives submit" to your husbands?

I believe that God said 'husbands over wives', not men over women.  Women are not subject to be ruled over by bosses, friends or male relatives.  I am totally amazed at how many men think the Bible puts them in authority over women.  It doesn't. 

[Guest shiloh357]

OK, should men have dominion over women in today's world?  Is that biblical.  What does it truly mean to "wives submit" to your husbands?

Paul actually calls for mutual submission, which is why Paul told men to love their wives.  Biblical love is always a servant.  It wants what is for your highest good.   Love is always giving to you and doing for you. Love always seeks to bless, protect and enrich.   What wife would not want to submit to someone like that?

[Ezra]

OK, should men have dominion over women in today's world?  Is that biblical.  What does it truly mean to "wives submit" to your husbands?

Unless Christians first understand the doctrine of "Headship" they will not understand or accept the biblical teaching that "the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is Head of the Church" (Eph 5:23). Unfortnately few churches teach this doctrine properly and fully.

The first question which must be honestly answered is "Whose teaching is this?"  Is it merely Paul's "opinion" or is this directly from God, handed down to Paul by the Holy Spirit?  To those who believe that the entire New Testament is the Word of God, this too is the Word of God.

The second question is "What does headship imply?"  Headship implies AUTHORITY. Scripture says that God the Father is the Head of Christ, Christ is the Head of the Church, and the husband is the head (authority) of his wife (1 Cor 11:3). This may be unpalatable to feminists and egalatarians, but this is God's truth. Authority and submission go hand in hand.

The third question is "What is submission?" and the answer is full and unquestioning acceptance of this God-given authority to husbands. The woman's head covering during worship is a symbol that she is truly under the authority of her husband, while the uncovered heads of men indicate that the local assembly is under the authority of Christ (1 Cor 11:4-16).

Just as in the armed forces of any country, there is a chain of command, and orders from above are executed without question, the same principle applies. The apostle Peter says that wives are to obey their husbands.  But there is one big difference. The husband must love his wife AS CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH and gave Himself for it. Thus the husbands authority is governed by Christian selfless and sacrificial love. Husbands are COMMANDED to love, but wives are COMMANDED to submit.

When Paul speaks of Christians submitting to each other, it certainly does not nullify this teaching.  It refers to all Christians as Christians, who accept legitimate direction and advice from other Christians, and do not put themselves above others, or consider themselves better than others. The principle here as stated by Christ is that the one who is in authority is also the servant of all. 

In practical terms, if both spouses are committed Christians and walking in the Spirit, this teaching is not an issue. But when there is a difference of opinion, the wife must yield to her husband, and if he is mistaken, he will learn his lessons through that.

[Ezra]

It is unfortunate that a lot of Pastor's don't seem to  understand this fully themselves and therefore don't teach that both spouses are to submit to each other.

If both spouses would submit themselves to each other, then that would nullify the teaching on headship and submission.  No, the proper teaching is that Christian wives must submit to husbands, and husbands must love their wives sacrificially. Even if the husbands are not saved, this principle applies. Study the first epistle of Peter.

[MorningGlory]

OK, should men have dominion over women in today's world?  Is that biblical.  What does it truly mean to "wives submit" to your husbands?

I believe that God said 'husbands over wives', not men over women.  Women are not subject to be ruled over by bosses, friends or male relatives.  I am totally amazed at how many men think the Bible puts them in authority over women.  It doesn't. 

Wishful thinking and not paying close attention to their BIBLES!!  lol

Um....yes.

[enoob57]

All you women need to pipe down .... from man!!!