Sacred Submission: ὑποταγή (Strong’s G5292: hupotage) Reveals Kingdom Order Divine

Strong’s G5292: A feminine noun from hupotasso (to submit), hupotage denotes voluntary submission or subordination. In NT usage, it represents willing subjection to God’s order, particularly in church and family relationships, reflecting the believer’s recognition of divinely established authority.

U- Unveiling the Word

The noun ὑποταγή (hupotage) embodies the profound concept of voluntary submission within God’s ordained order. Unlike forced subjugation, it represents a willing placement of oneself under authority. In the New Testament, this word appears in contexts discussing church leadership, family relationships, and the believer’s response to the gospel. Paul uses it to describe both the practical outworking of faith and the proper ordering of relationships within the body of Messiah. Early church fathers emphasized its connection to Messiah’s own example of submission to the Father’s will, seeing it as a model for Christian relationships. Today, this word challenges our individualistic culture by presenting submission as a positive virtue that reflects Messiah-like character and contributes to the harmony of God’s kingdom order.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ὑποταγή, hupotage, hoo-po-ta-GAY
• Detailed Pronunciation: hoó (as in “who”) – po (as in “post”) – ta (as in “father”) – GAY (as in “day”)
• Part of Speech: Noun (Feminine)

Etymology:

• ὑπό (hupo) – prefix meaning “under”
• τάσσω (tasso) – root verb meaning “to arrange, order”
• -η (-ē) – feminine noun suffix indicating the abstract concept or state

D – Defining Meanings

• Voluntary submission to authority
• Subordination within divine order
• State of being properly arranged under leadership

For compound words:
The prefix ὑπό (under) combined with τάσσω (arrange) and the feminine ending -η creates a noun describing the state or quality of being properly arranged under authority.

Translation Options:

• “submission” – Emphasizes the voluntary aspect of the action
• “subordination” – Highlights the organizational structure
• “subjection” – Captures the state of being under authority

E – Exploring Similar Words

• διαταγή (diatage, dee-a-ta-GAY) – ordinance, arrangement
  See G1296
• ἐπιταγή (epitage, ep-ee-ta-GAY) – command, authoritative directive
  See G2003
• ὑποτακτικός (hupotaktikos, hoo-po-tak-tee-KOS) – submissive
  See G5293

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a feminine noun:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: First

Example forms:

• ὑποταγή (nominative) – the submission
• ὑποταγῆς (genitive) – of submission
• ὑποταγῇ (dative) – to/for submission
• ὑποταγήν (accusative) – submission (direct object)

Related words in other parts of speech:

• Verb: ὑποτάσσω (hupotasso)
• Adjective: ὑποτακτικός (hupotaktikos)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes ὑποταγή’s connection to willing submission rather than forced subjugation. Thayer’s highlights its use in ecclesiastical contexts, particularly regarding church order and family relationships. LSJ traces its development from military contexts to broader social applications. Vine’s notes its distinction from δουλεία (slave-like submission), emphasizing its voluntary nature. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri showing its use in civil administration. Strong’s connects it to the concept of subordination within proper order, while LEH notes its Septuagint usage in contexts of divine authority. This collective evidence suggests a term that describes positive, ordered relationships rather than oppressive hierarchies.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
2 Corinthians 9:13 “Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed submission [ὑποταγή] to the gospel of Messiah, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men”

Additional References:
Galatians 2:5, 1 Timothy 2:11, 1 Timothy 3:4

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word ὑποταγή presents a beautiful picture of voluntary submission within God’s ordained order. Unlike worldly concepts of domination, it reflects the harmonious relationships that characterize God’s kingdom. This submission mirrors Messiah’s own relationship with the Father and shows how true freedom is found in proper alignment with divine authority. The good news of King Jesus includes the restoration of right relationships – with God and with others – through willing submission to His lordship, resulting in a community that reflects His character and glory.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word never appears in contexts of forced submission or slavery in the New Testament.
2. Early Christians used this term to describe their relationship to Roman authority without compromising their ultimate allegiance to God.
3. The concept influenced early Christian household codes and church organization patterns.

Strong’s G5292: A feminine noun from hupotasso (to submit), hupotage denotes voluntary submission or subordination. In NT usage, it represents willing subjection to God’s order, particularly in church and family relationships, reflecting the believer’s recognition of divinely established authority.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: submission, authority, order, relationships, church-structure, family-order, voluntary-submission, divine-order, leadership, obedience, harmony, kingdom-principles​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​