What happens when a simple word from the Bible stirs up a huge online storm? That’s exactly what happened to Madi Prewett, the well-known face from The Bachelor, after she shared her thoughts on being a “submissive wife.”
Just a couple of weeks back, during an honest chat on her Stay True podcast, Madi described how much joy she finds in that role with her husband, Grant Troutt. The comment didn’t sit well with many listeners. People fired off messages—some hurt, some angry—saying the word felt old-fashioned or even dangerous.
Madi and Grant decided to sit down together and clear the air. On the December 14 episode, they spoke straight from the heart.
Why the Word “Submit” Hit a Nerve
Have you ever noticed how one little word can carry so much weight? For some folks, “submit” brings up painful memories. It might remind them of times they saw control, silence, or even mistreatment dressed up as tradition.
Madi gets it. She said plainly,
“I understand why that word hurts. People have lived through abuse or watched it happen to someone close. When they hear ‘submit,’ they picture a woman with no say, no power, completely under someone else’s thumb.”
She paused during the talk, almost like she felt the ache herself. Then she added that nothing could be further from what she and Grant live every day.
Grant jumped in too. He pointed straight to Ephesians in the Bible—the part that talks about husbands and wives. Funny thing: the passage gives two quick lines to wives about submission, then spends way more time telling husbands to love their wives the way Christ loves the church. That means sacrifice, care, putting her needs first.
“It’s a blueprint,” Grant explained in his calm way. “Not a power grab. Not a boss-employee setup.”
What “Submissive” Really Looks Like in Their Home
So what does the word actually mean to them? Madi put it this way: it isn’t about weakness. It doesn’t mean she stays quiet or loses her say. She and Grant see themselves as equals—same value, same rights, same importance.
Instead, she views Grant as the spiritual head of their family. He carries the weight of protecting and providing. In return, she chooses to honor him, to come alongside his leadership with trust.
“I feel safe under his care,” she shared. “It’s not forced. It’s not ‘I have to.’ It’s more like ‘I want to’ because it brings peace to my heart.”
She smiled when she said that part—almost like she was remembering a quiet moment between the two of them. To Madi, submission feels like freedom, not chains. She says it lets her stop worrying about controlling everything and simply rest in their shared life.
Different Roles, Equal Hearts
The couple kept coming back to one big idea: marriage isn’t a competition. Nobody ranks higher. They both lay their lives down for each other.
“What God asks,” Madi said softly, “is service. You put the other person first. You think about their good before your own.”
They admit they don’t always get it perfect. Life with a 10-month-old daughter named Hosanna keeps them humble. Yet they keep trying to live out those roles with kindness.
A Bigger Conversation Worth Having
This whole situation makes you wonder—how do we talk about old words in new times? The Bible hasn’t changed, but the way people hear those words sure has. Pain from the past colors everything.
Madi and Grant didn’t shy away. They apologized for not giving enough context at first. They owned that the word landed wrong for many. At the same time, they gently explained their side without backing down from what they believe.
Perhaps that’s the real takeaway. Honest talks—even messy ones—can build bridges instead of walls. When two people share their hearts openly, it invites others to think, to question, maybe even to understand a little better.
In the end, Madi still calls being a supportive wife her favorite thing. Not because she’s less than Grant. But because, for them, choosing to honor each other creates something beautiful—something steady and full of love.
