Gasp at scandal while we gasp at patriarchy

In Ephesians chapter 5, Paul tells husbands and wives to submit to one another. However, this doesn't mean the wife must obey the husband. In fact, throughout the Bible, both men and women are called to submit to one another. When reading the New Testament household codes in their cultural context, we see a message of empowerment for women, not subordination. These letters would have shocked people who were used to living in a patriarchal society.