This verse precedes several verses that have been held in great controversy, particularly by women. I am no different. But before I get there, I think I have slid over this first verse that actually stands alone: submit to one another and why . . .
Ephesians 5:21
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
I don’t think anyone would have trouble with this verse if it said, “Love one another out of reverence for Christ.” But, because the word is translated as “submit” or “to be subject to,” we get a little hinky about it. It sounds like doormat material. But, isn’t love about submission?
Unlike the idea of “one-upmanship,” a believer is to practice, “one-downmanship.” It’s seeing enough good in another to give him/her the opportunity to rise up, to go first, to try first, to speak first. It’s about valuing other. And that’s love, isn’t it?
In business, managers are encouraged to give credit to the team, to lift them up, to count their praises because it’s the team that makes the whole operation work better. It’s the ones on the frontline who make the leaders look good. A supervisor who praises his/her staff profusely (and authentically), is usually much appreciated and much loved by that staff.
It is no different in daily life with people I encounter every day.
Why does Paul tell us to do this? If we submit and love others, the Christ (that anointed One) will experience our reverence. And we do it because we want to show reverence. We want to be in that place of holiness.
Two Rivers by Mark Bausch
I can’t make someone submit/love me. I can only do my share. Granted, it’s supposed to be mutual. But just because I’m not getting that sweet treatment doesn’t give me permission to act differently.
This is what so many of us fear. If I “submit,” what promise do I have that the other will submit to me? Answer: no promise, no guarantee. In fact, the other may never reciprocate.
But submit/love comes from a place of personal strength backed up by the power of the Spirit within. Jesus was the ultimate example in submission/love.
Meditations from Zion 
A topic that can evoke many emotional responses, it is all in the understanding of the intent of the message,When one submitts they surrender and commit to serve , here we are not submitted by defeat but by the choice of service to take our will and set it aside to the will of Gods or as in a relationship with another to submitt to them is to be dedicated to them with love and reverance,ideally a mutual submission leads to an unselfish relationshipwith tolerance, patience and understanding of their desires.Only the self centered person will translate this submission to control of another to be the conquerior,this is not the submission of God’s will.I am not so sure that reverance implies fear but more of an awe and praise for something greater than us, a respect of power or as I call it a healthy fear noy a fear of retribution but a fear of my humility before such a majestic diety almost a sense of unworthiness thus comes the submission to that Higher Power.
GREAT MESSAGE you carry