Subordination
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Hypotagē is the noun for submission, ordered relation, or being under recognized authority. First Timothy calls for a woman to learn in quietness with full submission within a difficult passage about gathered teaching and order.
Reader summary
Full entry for ὑποταγή (G5292) · Open the biblical lexicon
Hypotagē is the noun for submission, ordered relation, or being under recognized authority. First Timothy calls for a woman to learn in quietness with full submission within a difficult passage about gathered teaching and order.
The BSB source-word alignment has 4 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include . . . (1), control (1), obedient (1), submissiveness (1).
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at 2 Corinthians 9:13. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 Timothy (2), 2 Corinthians (1), Galatians (1).
Hypotagē is the noun for submission, ordered relation, or being under recognized authority. First Timothy calls for a woman to learn in quietness with full submission within a difficult passage about gathered teaching and order. The same letter requires an overseer to manage his household with children in respectful submission. Second Corinthians says generous service proves obedience flowing from believers' confession of Christ's gospel.
There, order is not extracted by force but becomes visible as a willing response to grace. The noun does not mean lesser worth, voicelessness, ownership, or unlimited compliance. Every human order remains under Christ, bounded by truth, justice, co-heir dignity, and obedience to God above sinful commands.
Hypotagē names ordered submission in learning, household life, and gospel obedience expressed through generosity. Each relation has its own participants and limits; none grants absolute control to another person.
A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness.
First Timothy 2:11 says a woman should learn in quietness and full submission. The positive command to learn must be honored, and the passage requires careful interpretation without turning submission into silence before harm or lesser dignity.
An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
First Timothy 3:4 says an overseer must manage his household well and keep children in submission with all dignity. The qualification tests responsible care, not authoritarian control or guaranteed outcomes.
Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.
Second Corinthians 9:13 says generous ministry leads others to glorify God for believers' submission or obedience flowing from confession of Christ's gospel. Gospel order becomes visible in voluntary sharing.
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
Greek word. subordination
Textus Receptus witness, full corpusGreek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
4 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
subjection, submission
Read versesubjection, submission
Read versesubjection, submission
Read versesubjection, submission
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 1 case and number pattern. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Verse guides are not available for this word yet, so verse references remain plain evidence markers.
ὑποταγή is built from this root:
Hypotagē has been used too easily as a tool of control. Its passages require more careful reading. First Timothy positively commands women to learn and addresses order in a contested teaching setting; it does not authorize silencing reports of harm or treating women as lesser disciples. Household submission appears within an overseer's dignified management and must be read through the pastoral qualifications against violence, arrogance, and lack of self-control.
In Second Corinthians, submission to the gospel takes the form of voluntary generosity that benefits others. Christian order is therefore Christ-governed, accountable, and directed toward learning, dignity, service, and good. Churches must reject coercion, protect the vulnerable, and distinguish faithful submission from compliance with sin or abuse.
2Cor.9.13
Hypotagē is the noun related to hypotassō and denotes submission, subjection, or ordered relation. It describes a state or posture whose moral character depends on the authority, sphere, manner, and governing allegiance.
Biblical order always remains beneath God's kingship, while prophets confront abusive rulers and defend the oppressed. Jesus redefines greatness through service and forbids domination among His followers.