Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
3:18–4:1 This series of exhortations is called a household code. Paul gives instructions to wives (3:18), husbands (3:19), children (3:20), fathers (3:21), slaves (3:22-25), and masters (4:1). Such codes appear in Greco-Roman writers and elsewhere in the New Testament (see Eph 5:22–6:9; 1 Pet 2:18–3:7). 3:18 To submit is to recognize one’s place under someone else in a social order. Such submission always implies that God is at the top and that his will is paramount (cp. Acts 4:19-20; 5:29).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
3:18–4:1 This series of exhortations is called a household code. Paul gives instructions to wives (3:18), husbands (3:19), children (3:20), fathers (3:21), slaves (3:22-25), and masters (4:1). Such codes appear in Greco-Roman writers and elsewhere in the New Testament (see Eph 5:22–6:9; 1 Pet 2:18–3:7). 3:18 To submit is to recognize one’s place under someone else in a social order. Such submission always implies that God is at the top and that his will is paramount (cp. Acts 4:19-20; 5:29).
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.
The wives! be subject to your own husbands, as is fit in the Lord;
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
none αι γυναικες υποτασσεσθε τοις ανδρασιν ως ανηκεν εν κυριω
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
Wives, be under the authority of your husbands, as is right in the Lord.