Keener's conclusion: Paul wrote household codes as long-range Roman cultural defense

Keener argues Paul, awaiting trial in Rome, was 'contemplating strategies to appeal to the power brokers in Rome,' and his household codes 'may represent a long-range response to basic Roman cultural objections to the gospel.' Mike notes the tension: is Ephesians teaching mutual submission (which would offend Romans) or wifely submission (which would placate them)? Most egalitarians say it teaches mutual submission, yet Keener says it was written to satisfy Roman expectations.