Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

COLOSSIANS 3:18KJV
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Colossians 3:18 (KJV)

What does Colossians 3:18 mean?

Colossians 3:18 addresses wives about their conduct toward their own husbands. It calls them to accept a position of submission in marriage and describes that conduct as fitting “in the Lord,” connecting the instruction with their relationship to Christ.

The verse speaks directly to wives rather than telling husbands to make their wives submit. “As it is fit in the Lord” places the instruction within the shared life of people who belong to Christ, not merely within the customs of a household.

The Greek behind Colossians 3:18

  • “submit yourselves” — ὑποτάσσω (hypotassō): The word carries the sense of placing oneself under another’s direction or authority. Here the instruction is addressed to the wives themselves.
  • “fit” — ἀνήκω (anēkō): The word can mean fitting or proper. The phrase “in the Lord” identifies the setting in which Paul describes this conduct as fitting.

Why Colossians 3:18 matters

  • The instruction is part of a larger set of directions for household relationships. Wives are addressed in verse 18, while husbands are addressed in verse 19.
  • The next verse places a responsibility on husbands too: they are told to love their wives and not be bitter against them. The passage addresses both sides of the marriage.
  • Christians differ on how the instruction about submission relates to authority and decision-making within marriage.

Where else these words appear

“fit” Greek G433 · used in 3 verses

  • Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
  • Philemon 1:8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

“yourselves” Greek G5293 · used in 32 verses

  • Luke 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
  • Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

“own” Greek G2398 · used in 109 verses

  • Matthew 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
  • John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
  • Galatians 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.