Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Notes

word carry with it a notion of oppression or the use of force for domina tion. The word can be used to describe an oppressive relationship, but its normal use is for relationships in which the subordination involved is either neutral or good (Man and Woman in Christ, p. 23). “Subordination” simply refers to the order of a relationship in which one person, the subordinate, depends upon another person for direction. The purpose of this order is to allow those in the relationship to function together in unity. Subordination is a broader concept than obedience and command. As will be seen, subordination usually implies a form of obedience. A person can give some commands to a subordinate and expect obedience, but to place the emphasis on obedience is to narrow the meaning of “subordination.” A person could be subordinate without ever having to obey a command. People can subordinate their lives or actions to another in many ways: by serving another, by observing and cooperating with the other’s purposes and desires, by dedicating their lives to the cause the other is upholding, or by following the other’s teaching. The more that love and personal commitment are part of sub— ordination, the more these other elements will be present along with whatever obedience is asked (Man and Woman in Christ, pp. 23,24). Although “subordination” primarily describes a way of relating to another person, it also involves a character trait, a disposition to re spond in a certain way. Subordination extends beyond obedience to com mands to also include respectfulness and receptiveness to direction. “Submissiveness” is probably the best English term in such contexts. “Submissiveness,” in this sense, is an overall character trait related to humility which all Christians should possess. The Christian character is portrayed in scripture as respectful of authority, not rebellious. Men as well as women should be submissive in their subordinate relationships (Man and Woman in Christ, p. 92). 15. FF. Bruce, The Epistle to the Galatians, The New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982), p. 190. 16. Bruce Waltke, ”The Relationship of the Sexes in the Bible,” Crux 19 (Sep tember, 1983): 14.

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Jerome, “Letters 52,” in The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, l4 vols., Second Series, eds. Philip Schaff and Henry Wace (repr. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, n.d.), 6: 94. (Hereafter cited as The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers.) “A Biblical Style of Leadership?” Leadership 2 (Fall, 1981): 119-129.

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