TL

Good ‘wonderings’ Frank. The difference is that submission is not obedience even though it can look like it at times. Submission chooses at ones own discretion, rather than another’s. Submission will take into consideration other considerations such as laws (laws are not perfect and can go against God’s Truths). When we choose to submit to a law we are obeying it. Obedience is about a required response. It doesn’t matter if it is willing or not, it is something we must do at another’s insistence.

But even that has interesting nuances. When we choose to obey something we haven’t been commanded, we have (in the Greek & Hebrew thinking) heard and responded on the strength of what we have heard. IOW we have heard something so powerful or truthful that to our understanding it requires our positive response. Or we understand the consequences to be distasteful if we don’t obey or submit.

The only thing that isn’t hazy about it all is the idea that wives should obey every request of their husbands. Such a powerful authority over another’s adult life should never ever been given. It is akin to absolute slavery to be wielded solely at the discretion of the holder. Some like the idea but will wield this power benignly. Others will use it to the hilt. To think that this creates a holy unity means one doesn’t understand holy and godly unity.

But submission in the Grk. understanding is something that anyone can do and all should do. We should all have the attitude that we want to get under and lift one another up and profit one another’s life. In fact, this attitude should be the first requirement of those who want to serve in ministries.

OK…. sorry for the rambling. I just got up. Not fully awake. :^)