But, as the church is subject to Christ. The particle but, may lead some to believe that the words, he is the savior of the body, are intended to anticipate an objection. Christ has, no doubt, this peculiar claim, that he is the Savior of the Church: nevertheless, let wives know, that their husbands, though they cannot produce equal claims, have authority over them, after the example of Christ. I prefer the former interpretation; for the argument derived from the word but, (alla,) does not appear to me to have much weight.

In everything - In everything which is not contrary to the will of God; see the notes on Ephesians 5:23.

In every thing - That is, every lawful thing; for it is not intimated that they should obey their husbands in any thing criminal, or in any thing detrimental to the interests of their souls. The husband may be profligate, and may wish his wife to become such also; he may be an enemy to true religion, and use his authority to prevent his wife from those means of grace which she finds salutary to her soul; in none of these things should she obey him.

(11) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing.
(11) The conclusion of the wives' duties towards their husbands.

Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ,.... Her head, being wholly dependent upon him, and entirely resigned to him, and receiving all from him; from whom alone is all her expectation of provision, protection, comfort, and happiness; wherefore she has respect to all his commands, and esteems all his precepts concerning all things to be right; and yields a cheerful, voluntary, sincere, and hearty obedience to them; arising from a principle of love to him, and joined with honour, fear, and reverence of him:
so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything: political, domestic, and ecclesiastic; that is consistent with the laws of God, and the Gospel of Christ.

Therefore--Translate, as Greek, "But," or "Nevertheless," that is, though there be the difference of headships mentioned in Ephesians 5:23, nevertheless, thus far they are one, namely, in the subjection or submission (the same Greek stands for "is subject," as for "submit," Ephesians 5:21-22) of the Church to Christ, being the prototype of that of the wife to the husband.
their own--not in most of the oldest manuscripts, and not needed by the argument.
in every thing--appertaining to a husband's legitimate authority; "in the Lord" (Colossians 3:18); everything not contrary to God.

In everything - Which is not contrary to any command of God.