Early Christian Beliefs About Submission and Obedience

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Direct teaching

...braham, known as "the friend," was found faithful because he obeyed the words of God. In his act of obedience, he left his own country, his relatives, and his father's house, to leave behind a small territory, a weak family, and an insignificant home so he could inherit God's promises. For God told him, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation, bless you, and make your name great, and you will be blessed. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you, and through you, all the families of the earth will be blessed." Again, when he parted from Lot, God said to him, "Look up, and from where you are, look north, south, east, and west; all the land you see, I will give to you and your descendants forever. I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth, so if anyone could count the dust of the earth, then your descendants could be counted." And again, the Scripture says, "God brought Abram out and said to him, 'Look up now to heaven and count the stars if you can; so shall your descendants be.' And Abram believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Because o

Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus Direct teaching

...ng to let him have it, as some suppose. Rather, He also wanted to test him, to see whether he would submit to His commandment. At the same time, He wanted man, since he was still like an infant, to remain simple and sincere for a while longer. For this is holy, not only with God but also among men: that children should obey their parents with simplicity and without deceit. But if it is right for children to be subject to their parents, how much more should they be subject to the God and Father of all things? Besides, it is not fitting for children in infancy to be wise beyond their years. For just as a person grows in height by an orderly process, so also he grows in wisdom. And when a law commands a person to keep away from something, and he does not obey, clearly it is not the law that causes punishment, but the disobedience and transgression. For a father sometimes orders his own child to keep away from certain things, and when the child does not obey his father's command, he is beaten and punished because of the disobedience. In that case, the things themselves are not the cause of the blows, but the disobedience brings punishment on the one who disobeys. In the same way, fo

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Direct teaching

Humans have gained the knowledge of good and evil. It is good to obey God, to believe in Him, and to keep His commandments, and this is the true life for humans; not obeying God is evil and leads to death. Since God gave humans such mental power, they can understand both the good of obedience and the evil of disobedience. This allows the mind, through experience, to wisely choose better things, ensuring that they are never lazy or neglectful of God's command. Learning that disobedience to God, which deprives them of life, is evil, they should avoid it completely. Understanding that what preserves life is obedience to God, they should diligently follow it with earnestness. Humans, therefore, have twofold experiences: knowing both kinds of actions, they can choose better paths with discipline. Without knowledge of the opposite, how could they understand what is good? A clear and definite understanding of what is presented is better than mere opinion. Just like tasting helps the tongue distinguish sweet from bitter, vision helps the eyes distinguish black from white, and hearing helps the ear recognize different sounds, the mind uses the experience of both good and evil to firmly hold

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Direct teaching

...ropriate for those who oppose light, and delivered a fitting punishment upon those who try to avoid submission to Him. Submission to God is eternal rest, so those who flee the light have a place worthy of their escape; and those who escape eternal rest have a dwelling that matches their flight. Since all good things are with God, those who choose to flee from God deprive themselves of all good things; and having been deprived of all good things in relation to God, they will consequently fall under God's just judgment. Those who avoid rest will rightfully face punishment, and those who shun light will rightfully dwell in darkness. Just as in the case of this temporal light, those who avoid it lead themselves into darkness, making themselves the cause of their lack of light, and thus dwell in darkness. As I have already noted, the light is not the cause of such an unfortunate condition for them. Similarly, those who flee the eternal light of God, which contains all good things, become the cause for themselves of living in eternal darkness, lacking all good things, having made themselves the cause of their existence in such an abode.

Tertullian, On Patience Direct teaching

...ir master's disposition; if the way to win favor is obedience, and the rule of obedience is willing submission, how much more should we be found with a character that agrees with our Lord. For we are servants of the living God. His judgment on His servants does not concern chains or a cap that marks freedom, but an eternity either of punishment or of salvation. To escape that severity or to seek that generosity, we need diligence in obedience as great as the threats spoken by that severity, or the promises freely made by that generosity. And yet we demand obedience not only from men, who bear the yoke of slavery under their chin, or who in some other legal way owe obedience, but even from cattle, even from brute beasts. For we understand that the Lord has provided and handed them over for our use. Shall the creatures God has made subject to us, then, be better than we are in the discipline of obedience? In the end, the creatures that obey acknowledge their masters. Do we hesitate to listen carefully to Him alone, to whom we are subject, that is, the Lord? But how unjust it is, and how ungrateful as well, not to repay from yourself the same thing which, through your neighbor's ki

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

...ommands for life ought to remove every kind of excuse, so that he may place on men the necessity of obedience, not by force, but by shame, and yet still leave them freedom. Then a reward may be appointed for those who obey, because it was in their power not to obey if they wished; and punishment for those who do not obey, because it was in their power to obey if they wished. How then can excuse be removed unless the teacher practices what he teaches, and, as it were, goes before and holds out his hand to the one who is about to follow? But how can anyone practice what he teaches unless he is like the one whom he teaches? For if he is subject to no passion, a man may answer his teacher like this: It is my wish not to sin, but I am overcome, for I am clothed with frail and weak flesh. It is this flesh that desires, that becomes angry, that fears pain and death. And so I am carried along against my will, and I sin not because I want to, but because I am forced. I myself know that I sin, but the necessity laid on me by my weakness, which I cannot resist, drives me on. What will that teacher of righteousness say in reply to these things? How will he refute and convict a man who claim

Romans 6:16 Direct teaching

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

1 Samuel 15:22 Direct teaching

And Samuel said, Does the Lord take pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in hearing the words of the Lord? behold, obedience is better than a good sacrifice, and hearkening than the fat of rams.

James 4:7 Direct teaching

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Deuteronomy 13:5 Direct teaching

Ye shall follow the Lord your God, and fear him, and ye shall hear his voice, and attach yourselves to him.

Ignatius, Epistle to the Magnesians (Short Version) Direct teaching

Be ye subject to the bishop, and to one another, as Jesus Christ to the Father, according to the flesh, and the apostles to Christ, and to the Father, and to the Spirit;

Ignatius, Epistle to the Magnesians (Long Version) Direct teaching

Be ye subject to the bishop, and to one another, as Christ to the Father, that there may be a unity according to God among you.

Ignatius, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians (Long Version) Direct teaching

For he that is subject to these is obedient to Christ, who has appointed them;

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Direct teaching

Ye therefore, who laid the foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves to the presbyters, and receive correction so as to repent, bending the knees of your hearts.

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to 1 Peter 5:5 Direct teaching

He, therefore, that does not assemble with the Church, has even by this manifested his pride, and condemned himself. For it is written, "God resisteth the proud." Let us be careful, then, not to set ourselves in opposition to the bishop, in order that we may be subject to God.

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to Hebrews 13:17 Direct teaching

Be ye subject to the bishop as to the Lord, for "he watches for your souls, as one that shall give account to God."

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

... let them not think that the way of life or salvation is still open to them if they have refused to obey the bishops and priests, since in Deuteronomy the Lord God says, "And the man that will act presumptuously, and will not listen to the priest or judge, whoever he may be in those days, that man shall die, and all the people shall hear and fear, and do no more presumptuously." Deuteronomy 17:12-13. God commanded that those who did not obey His priests should be put to death, and also those who did not listen to His judges who were appointed for that time. And at that time they were indeed killed with the sword, when the circumcision of the flesh was still in force. But now that circumcision has begun to be of the spirit among God's faithful servants, the proud and stubborn are killed with the sword of the Spirit, in that they are cast out of the Church. For they cannot live outside it, since the house of God is one, and there can be no salvation for anyone except in the Church. But the divine Scripture testifies that the undisciplined perish because they do not listen to or obey sound instruction. For it says, "An undisciplined man does not love the one who corrects him." But

Anonymous, Connection to Hebrews 13:17 Supporting witness

Let us reverence the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was given for us; let us esteem those who have the rule over us;

Hebrews 13:17 Direct teaching

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

... glory of God, is lord of the woman. Therefore it is also written in the Epistle to the Ephesians, “Submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the Church; and He is the Savior of the body. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church. So men also ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no man has ever yet hated his own flesh.” Ephesians 5:21-29. And in the Epistle to the Colossians it is said, “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, lest they become discouraged. Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh. Do not serve only when watched, like people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. And whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly, as serving the Lord and not men. For you know that from the Lord you will

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to Ephesians 5:22 Direct teaching

Wives, be ye subject to your husbands in the fear of God; and ye virgins, to Christ in purity.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Didache, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Direct teaching

And you bondmen shall be subject to your masters as to a type of God, in modesty and fear.

Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas Direct teaching

Thou shalt be subject to the Lord, and to [other] masters as the image of God, with modesty and fear.

Methodius, Oration on the Psalms Direct teaching

If you are a servant, with trembling be subject unto your Master;

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

John 6:38 Now if the Son was obedient to do His Father's will, how much more should the servant be obedient to do his Master's will!

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

...n you? You require service from your slave. Though you are only a man, you force your fellow man to submit to you and obey you. Although you share the same lot in being born, the same condition in dying, although you have the same bodily nature and a common order of souls, and although you enter this world and leave it after a time with equal rights and under the same law, yet if he does not serve you as you wish, if he does not obey you according to your will, then you, as a harsh and excessive master, flog and whip him. You trouble and torture him with hunger, thirst, and nakedness, and often even with the sword and with prison. And miserable man that you are, do you not acknowledge the Lord your God while you yourself exercise lordship like this?

Ephesians 5:21 Direct teaching

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:22 Direct teaching

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

1 Peter 2:18 Direct teaching

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

Colossians 3:18 Direct teaching

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Direct teaching

...obeys all His Father's commands and precepts. So although His birth proves Him to be a Son, yet His obedience even to death declares Him the minister of the will of His Father, of whom He is. Thus, by making Himself obedient to His Father in all things, although He also is God, yet He shows the one God, the Father, by His obedience, from whom He also drew His beginning. And thus He could not make two Gods, because He did not make two beginnings, since from Him who has no beginning He received the source of His nativity before all time. For since that which is unborn is the beginning to other creatures, and only God the Father is this, being beyond a beginning, while He who was born is from Him, then He who is born of Him rightly comes from Him who has no beginning, proving that to be the beginning from which He Himself is. Therefore, although He is God who is born, yet He shows Him to be one God, whom He who was born proved to be without a beginning. Therefore He is God, but begotten for this special result: that He should be God. He is also Lord, but born from the Father for this very purpose: that He might be Lord. He is also an Angel, but He was appointed by the Father as an

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness

...obeys all His Father's commands and precepts. So although His birth proves Him to be a Son, yet His obedience even to death declares Him to be the minister of His Father's will, of whom He is. Thus, by making Himself obedient to His Father in all things, although He also is God, He still shows the one God, the Father, by His obedience, from whom He also drew His beginning. And so He could not make two Gods, because He did not make two beginnings, since from Him who has no beginning He received the source of His birth before all time. For since that which is unborn is the beginning for other creatures, and God the Father alone is this, being beyond a beginning, and He is the one from whom the Son was born, then He who is born from Him rightly comes from Him who has no beginning, showing that to be the beginning from which He Himself is. So even though He who is born is God, yet He shows Him to be the one God whom He who was born proved to be without beginning. Therefore He is God, but begotten for this special result, that He should be God. He is also Lord, but born by the Father for this very purpose, that He might be Lord. He is also an Angel, but He was appointed by the Father

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

Thus making Himself obedient to His Father in all things, although He also is God, yet He shows the one God the Father by His obedience, from whom also He drew His beginning.

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness

Thence, finally, both before the assumption of the flesh, and moreover after the assumption of the body, besides, after the resurrection itself, He yielded all obedience to the Father, and still yields it as ever.

Dionysius of Alexandria, Exegetical Fragments Direct teaching

...sk of the Father what the Father does not will. For the words, "if You are willing," were a sign of subjection and docility, not of ignorance or hesitancy. And just as when we make some request, in agreement with the judgment of a father, or ruler, or anyone else whom we respect, we are accustomed to say, "if you please," not as though we were in doubt about it, so the Saviour also said, "if You are willing." He did not say this because He thought that the Father willed something different, and later learned the fact. Rather, He understood exactly God's willingness to remove the cup from Him, and in understanding this He also rightly grasped that what God wills is also possible for Him. For this reason the other scripture says, "All things are possible to You." And Matthew again admirably describes the submission and the humility, when he says, "if it be possible." For unless we understand the sense in this way, some may perhaps assign an impious meaning to the words "if it be possible," as though there were anything impossible for God to do, except only what He does not will to do. Therefore the request He made was nothing independent, nor one that pleased Himself only, or oppo

Dionysius of Alexandria, Exegetical Fragments Supporting witness

... then, ask of the Father what the Father does not will. For the words, "If You are willing," showed subjection and docility, not ignorance or hesitancy. For this reason, the other scripture says, "All things are possible to You." And Matthew again admirably describes the submission and humility when he says, "If it be possible." For unless I adapt the sense in this way, some will perhaps assign an impious meaning to this expression, "If it be possible," as if there were anything impossible for God to do, except only that which He does not will to do. But, being immediately strengthened in His humanity by His ancestral divinity, He urges the safer petition, and no longer desires that to be the case, but that it might be accomplished according to the Father's good pleasure, in glory, in constancy, and in fullness. For John, who has given us the record of the most sublime and most divine of the Saviour's words and deeds, heard Him speak thus: "And the cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?" Now, to drink the cup was to discharge the ministry and the whole divine arrangement of trial with fortitude, to follow and fulfill the Father's determination, and to surmount a

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

I am of opinion that it is this very subjection by which we also wish to be subject to Him, by which the apostles also were subject, and all the saints who have been followers of Christ.

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

For the name subjection, by which we are subject to Christ, indicates that the salvation which proceeds from Him belongs to His subjects, agreeably to the declaration of David, Shall not my soul be subject unto God? From Him comes my salvation.

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

If, then, that subjection be held to be good and salutary by which the Son is said to be subject to the Father, it is an extremely rational and logical inference to deduce that the subjection also of enemies, which is said to be made to the Son of God, should be understood as being also salutary and useful;

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to 1 Corinthians 15:28 Supporting witness

And again, "When all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall He also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all."

1 Corinthians 15:27 Direct teaching

For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.

1 Corinthians 15:28 Direct teaching

And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.