Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
You have failed to explain how one can submit and not obey. I don't think you know the answer to my question, so why don't you just admit it?
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Brother Igzy?
Did you manage to wade through my cumbersome postings to see where I stated what I believe to be the distinction here?
I think it's a very important distinction because slaves and children must obey but spouses and the believers should submit.
I'm not concluding my study on these matters here but only beginning them.
Obedience is about following commands. This is what dogs and soldiers and robots do, in addition to children and slaves. They have no choice in the matter. There is no need that they even understand. It is to be done and therefore it is done.
Submission is an informed decision. We know and understand why things are being done and we might agree with them for a number of different reasons, while even holding some disagreement, but submission is about relationships rather than about commands. If I submit to you and you submit to me but we have different ideas, then we are at a stalemate instantly unless we recognize that the point of submission is not that we would be sumbissive in the abstract but so that we could decide and conclude matters and move ahead together.
Mutual submission in love results in a genuine one accord. Obedience is only going to become fertile ground for rebellions. Check your New Testament for evidence of Paul classifying those who left him in Asia being "in rebellion." I don't think you'll find such a thing.
And I still have the sense that the authority of the Head over the many members is of an entirely different kind but I need to go back to the Word make a further and more thorough study before I say too much on this point.