Eternal Subordination of the Son: Pastoral Implications, Part V

At the conclusion of this series, we must ask about the pastoral implications of the eternal subordination of the Son.  What does this doctrine show us about the character of God and what effect should this truth have on our hearts and relationships today?

From one perspective, the eternal subordination of the Son does not define our understanding of the marriage relationship between a man and a woman.  Direct teachings of Scripture instruct men to assume the role of humble, loving leader in marriage (Ephesians 5:22-28; 1 Peter 3:7).  Likewise, women are clearly taught to assume the role of joyful, intelligent helper (Genesis 2:20; Ephesians 4: 24; 1 Peter 3:1-6).  Whether or not we believe that the Son was eternally submitted to the Father should not necessarily have any effect on our obedience to these straightforward commands which define the marriage relationship.

Nevertheless, 1 Corinthians 11:3 leads us to understand that there is a direct connection between the Trinity and our roles in marriage.  In this verse, Paul writes, "But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of the wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God."  Hierarchy has always existed in the Trinity itself, because the head of Christ is God.  The goodness of hierarchy is built into the very fabric of creation.  Though we are all sinful, it is fundamentally good that children submit to their parents, Christians submit to lawful governments instituted by God, and that believers submit themselves to the leadership of elders in the church.

How this is expressed in marriage is especially beautiful. If headship and submission can exist between the equal persons in the Godhead itself, then we can understand how the same type of relationship can exist between equal persons in marriage.

The husband is called to be the head of the wife in the same way that Christ is the head of the church.  He imitates the headship of Jesus Christ.  The wife is called to imitate the submission of Jesus Christ to the Father.  Jesus Christ is so great that both a man and woman together are needed to display his glorious leadership and servanthood.

What difference does the doctrine of the eternal submission of the Son make in our hearts? It reassures a wife that her role in marriage is not ignoble or demeaning.  If this imitates the role that Jesus Christ assumes in the very Godhead, then a wife's role is fundamentally noble and good.

There are few things more counter-cultural and gospel-displaying than a wife joyfully imitating Jesus Christ in his submission to the Father.  Though Jesus was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but humbled himself.  For this He was highly exalted, and in the same way a wife of noble character is more valuable than precious rubies.