[Greek] ὑποτάσσω (hypotassō), [Latin] subdare, [Latin] subicere, [Latin] humilitas, [French] obeir, [Latin] obtemperare: to be subject to , to submit, to be obedient, to bring under control, to put oneself under; 49 scriptures
Believing in the teaching authority of Jesus’ one True Church requires an act of faith.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to place under, to subordinate, to subdue, to be obedient, to underlie, and to put after.
Polybius’ Histories 3.36.7: “The next is to arrange the several parts of the globe according to these points, and always to refer in thought, any place mentioned to one or other of them.”
Polybius’ Histories 3.13.8: “By a liberal treatment of the forces under his command, he established an excellent feeling toward himself in the army.”
Old Testament: This term means to subdue, to threaten, to subject, to keep, to serve, to revere, to lay open, and to conquer.
New Testament: This term means to be obedient, to be subject to, to subject, and to submit.
Rom.8:7: “For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it.”
- Those who live according to the flesh are concerned with things of the flesh.
- Those who live according to the spirit are concerned with things of the spirit.
- The concern of the flesh is death. The concern of the spirit is life and peace.
- Whoever does not have the Spirit of God does not belong to Him.
Rom.10:3: “For in their unawareness of the righteousness that comes from God and in their own attempt to establish their own righteousness, they do not submit to God’s righteousness.” (The Jews were ignorant or unaware that Christ fulfilled the law. Not willing to submit to Christ, the Jews remain pridefully confident in their own righteousness.)
Rom.13:1: “Let every person be subordinate to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been established by God.” (Paul was addressing the issue of showing obedience and deference to local authorities. This problem was exacerbated by the Roman authorities’ devotion to idols and deities. Traditional instruction states that kings and magistrates rule by the consent of God. One must discern the proper measure of deference to authorities.)
1Cor.15:28: “When everything is subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to the one [Father] who subjects everything to Him, so that God may be all in all.” (Jesus is subject to the Father. The Father’s reign is a dynamic exercise of creative power).
Eph.5:21-24: Wives and husbands: “Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
- Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as husbands should be subordinate to the Lord.
- The husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is head of the Church.
- As the Church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands.
- Husbands are called to love their wives, even as Christ loved the Church.
Jas.4:7: “So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
- Submission to God often requires humility.
- Pride is often associated with the devil.
- Draw to God and He will draw near to you.
- Humble yourselves before God and He will exalt you.
- To be a lover of the world means enmity with God.
1Pet.5:5: “Likewise, you younger members be subject to the presbyters. Clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another.” (The community is to be subject to the presbyters. With sobriety, alertness, and steadfastness in faith, they must resist the evil one. Your fellows believers will become strengthened in their sufferings.)
Submission of faith:
- Catholic perspective: It is an act of faith to accept (believe) that the Catholic Church is the One True Church established by Jesus Christ. Because we accept this as an act of faith as Catholics, it is required that we accept all that the Church teaches. (The Church is infallible. To do this is itself a result of supernatural grace from God.
- Protestant perspective: There is no exclusive source of authority. Many Protestants believe in Sola Scriptura (that scripture is sole source of authority). Protestants also have a broad range of doctrinal beliefs. The Protestant must make a new paradigm shift (in thinking) in submitting one’s faith to the authority of the Catholic Church.
Bishop Athanatius Schneider: Obedience has its limits. (One cannot be compelled to do evil things.)
When is obedience not blind or unconditional? This situation exists when sin or mortal situations apply. This is a time when one must not obey. This is a situation when one is commanded NOT to do something harmful to the integrity of the Catholic faith or sacredness of the Liturgy.
What are some examples of this? The pope makes questionable or heretical statements, giving the Eucharist to a abortion supporting Catholic, many Catholics objecting to the Vatican’s “LGBTQ outreach” (see below)***
What does the St. Thomas say about when faith is at risk? It is lawful, even proper to publicly resist a papal decision. Paul publicly rebuked Peter because of an imminent risk of a scandal in a matter of faith. Paul’s resistance was shown as a public correction of Peter. if there is a danger to the faith, subjects are bound to rebuke their prelates, including the pope.
Conclusion:
Submit, submission, subject, subjection, obey, humility, humiliate, hypotasso (to arrange under)
Update: For many open-minded Protestants, it takes a “leap of faith” to submit oneself to the teaching of Jesus’ Church. This is the first step in converting to Catholicism.
Mary often becomes a great stumbling block for Protestants. This also requires a new understanding of Mary’s role in the Church: to bring us to her Son.
Protestants often continue to hold to their own righteousness in their church or denomination. Some Protestants hold anti-Catholic beliefs.
Many of us get caught up in fleshy activity and sins against God.
Perhaps it is not surprising that there exists the term LGBTQ “pride”. Brutal honesty: this is a fleshy lifestyle contradicting God’s designs for gender, marriage, and procreation.
*** Many Catholics rightfully object to the Vatican’s LGBTQ “outreach”: Rather than clearly stating the Church’s teachings against homosexuality, the Vatican instead shows FALSE COMPASSION (not being truthful) by NOT clearly stating the sinfulness of this lifestyle. This causes GREAT HARM for the souls of the LGBTQ community and great CONFUSION. Unfortunately, lived experiences take precedence over Church teachings!
Catholics and other Christians are called to show respect to toward secular authorities. However, Catholics and Christians have every right to criticize them for their moral behavior and actions affecting the Church, religion, and faith.
Jesus provides all of us a wonderful example in submitting to the Father.
Husbands and wives each have a sub-mission to serve, to help, and to love another. Wives must submit in allowing their husbands to lay down their lives for them. Husbands must submit in allowing in laying down their lives for their wives.
Submitting to God provides a great means to be protected from the devil. The devil is the epitome of pride, disobedience, and unfaithfulness.
“God does not expect us to submit our faith to Him without reason, but the very limits of our reason make faith a necessity.” St. Augustine