Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 5:24

"But as the church is subject to Christ, so [let] the wives also [be] to their husbands in everything." — Ephesians 5:24 (ASV)

“Now” continues the same line of argument rather than reversing it. That is, Paul is pursuing a further likeness between the husband-wife relationship and the Christchurch relationship. Here the verb “submit” stands unambiguously in the text and does not have to be supplied (cf. v.22). The church as the bride of Christ readily acknowledges his authority and seeks to please him in every respect. When marriage is seen in the light of this higher relationship between Christ and his body, the wife finds no difficulty in submitting to her husband, for he too has obligations to her in the Lord (vv.25–33).