“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
— Ephesians 5:32
Ephesians 5 has long been a focal point in debates about the roles of men and women in relationships. With phrases like “Wives, submit to your husbands” and “Husbands, love your wives”, it’s easy to see why traditional interpretations have led to some very rigid and often harmful views of gender roles.
But what if these scriptures aren’t about gender inequality or submission at all? What if the Apostle Paul wasn’t speaking about the relationship between husband and wife in the conventional sense, but about a profound spiritual truth—a metaphysical relationship between awareness and imagination?
Through the lens of Neville Goddard's teachings, we can unlock the true meaning of this passage, revealing it as a profound revelation of the creative power within us all. This interpretation hinges on a crucial distinction: the difference between literal and symbolic interpretation of scripture.
Literal vs Symbolic Interpretation: The Key to Understanding Ephesians 5
To properly interpret Ephesians 5, we must first understand the distinction between literal and symbolic interpretation of the Bible.
Literal Interpretation
A literal interpretation takes the words of the Bible at face value, assuming that they refer to concrete events, people, or actions. In the case of Ephesians 5, a literal reading might lead us to believe that Paul is advocating for women’s submission to men in marriage, reinforcing patriarchal values and gender inequality.
However, this perspective often ignores the deeper, spiritual symbolism embedded in the text. By focusing solely on the literal meaning, we risk misunderstanding the true intent of the passage and its broader implications for personal empowerment and spiritual growth.
Symbolic Interpretation
On the other hand, symbolic interpretation reveals that the Bible is a metaphysical text that speaks to the inner world of the reader—the mind, consciousness, and imagination. In Neville Goddard’s teachings, the characters, events, and relationships in the Bible are not literal, but symbolic representations of the inner workings of consciousness.
When we approach Ephesians 5 symbolically, we see that it speaks not of gender roles in marriage, but of the divine union between awareness (the husband) and imagination (the wife)—two aspects of the creative process. This understanding transforms the passage from a restrictive, literal reading into a powerful tool for personal transformation.
The True Meaning of Submission: Alignment of Imagination and Awareness
Ephesians 5:22–24
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord... Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.”
In Neville Goddard's interpretation, the husband represents awareness—the I AM, or the creative consciousness within each of us. The wife, in contrast, represents assumption—the imagination that forms the mental images and feelings we hold about ourselves and the world.
The “submission” that Paul speaks of is not the submission of women to men but the alignment of our assumptions with our awareness. When we submit in this context, we are surrendering our doubts, fears, and limiting beliefs in favour of aligning our imagination with the awareness of our divine potential.
“Submit to the Lord” means aligning your thoughts and assumptions with your highest state of being, your true self. This is not about subjugation; it is about surrendering your lower beliefs to the higher truth of your divine nature.
The Husband’s Role: Love and Devotion to the Imagination
Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
In Neville Goddard’s teachings, the husband is awareness—the Christ within. The call for husbands to love their wives is a call for us to devote ourselves to the sacred act of creation, to nurture and love our assumptions as we would cherish our most beloved creations.
“Love your assumption as Christ loves the church” means to devote yourself to your desired state with full awareness and faith. When you love your assumption—when you believe it with all your heart—you give it life. This is the divine relationship between awareness and imagination—when they are in harmony, a new creation is born.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…”
— John 3:16
This verse shows us that love is the power that gives life to all creation. In the same way, our love and faith in our assumptions give birth to the realities we experience.
The Great Mystery: Christ and the Church
Ephesians 5:32
“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
Paul himself tells us that this passage speaks of a mystery—one that is not about earthly marriage, but about the union of consciousness and imagination.
In Neville Goddard’s mystical understanding, Christ represents the I AM, the awareness and creative power within each of us. The church represents the soul, the imagination, and the assumption of the state that we wish to embody.
When we align our assumptions (the bride) with our awareness (the husband), we experience a spiritual marriage—a union that results in the manifestation of our desires.
“The kingdom of God is within you.”
— Luke 17:21
This verse underscores that the Christ (I AM) and the church (our imagination) are not separate but are united within us, empowering us to create our world through faith and imagination.
The Sacred Union: Imagination and Awareness in Harmony
Ephesians 5:30–31
“For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.”
In Neville Goddard’s interpretation, we are the body of Christ, and the Christ within us is the awareness that must unite with our imagination to create our reality. The two becoming one flesh speaks to the union of our consciousness (awareness) with our imagination (assumption), where both are in complete harmony to create the desired outcome.
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”
— Genesis 1:26
This creation is the image and likeness of God, realised when we align our inner assumptions and beliefs with our divine potential.
Conclusion: From Submission to Empowerment
Neville Goddard’s interpretation of Ephesians 5 reclaims this passage from the grips of patriarchy and gives it a new, empowering meaning. Submission in this context is not about obeying another person, but about aligning your thoughts and imagination with your highest state of being.
The husband (awareness) and wife (assumption) are not separate entities but are united in the creative process of manifestation. When you devote yourself to the love and belief of your assumptions, they come to life. You become the Christ in expression—creating your reality through the power of imagination and awareness.
“You are both male and female in your spiritual being. When your assumption and your awareness are joined, you become God in expression.”
— Neville Goddard
Let us understand that true empowerment comes from within. It is not about submission to another, but about aligning our inner world with the divine creative forces that live in all of us.
In this understanding, we transcend the limitations of traditional gender roles, and instead, we come into the sacred union that gives birth to the manifested life we desire. Through the mystery of Christ and the church, we reclaim our divine power—one that allows us to create, transform, and manifest our highest reality.
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