Of Obedience and Subjection explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Humility and Self-Denial

  The chapter teaches that true peace comes from humble subjection and yielding one's own opinion for the love of God.

• Interior Life and Solitude

  Obedience and submission to authority are presented as a means to interior peace and freedom of spirit.

Characters to notice

• Jesus Christ

  Christ is invoked as the reason for yielding one's own opinion for peace.

• The Disciple

  The narrator speaks from personal experience, having heard that it is safer to receive counsel than to give it.

Key passages

• “It is verily a great thing to live in obedience, to be under authority, and not to be at our own disposal.”

  Living obediently under authority, rather than following one's own will, is a truly noble and important practice.

  This opening statement establishes the central theme of the chapter.

• “Though thou run hither and thither, thou wilt not find peace, save in humble subjection to the authority of him who is set over thee.”

  No matter where you go or what you do, peace will only be found in humble submission to your appointed leader.

  The text warns against seeking peace through external changes, pointing instead to obedience.

• “Though thine own opinion be good, yet if for the love of God thou foregoest it, and followest that of another, thou shalt the more profit thereby.”

  Even if your own view is sound, giving it up for God's sake and adopting another's will bring you greater spiritual benefit.

  This highlights the sacrificial and loving nature of true obedience.