Topic(s): Marriage

Todd Clippard

The Bible teaches the headship of man in the home (1 Cor 11:1-12; Eph 5:22-33). This Divinely-given line of authority began all the way back in the garden of Eden (Gen 3:16). A focus on at least one truth in each text will help us understand what is meant by male headship in the home.

In 1 Corinthians 11, there is more than marriage authority discussed. This is an extended discussion about God's authority and how it influences the relationships in the home. In verse 3 we see the head of woman is the man, the head of man is Christ, and the head of Christ is God. When one understands the relationship between Christ and God, he can understand how the husband and wife relationship is to function. Christ was equal in some ways (John 1:1; Phil 2:5-7), yet submissive in others (as a subordinate - John 6:38). A wife is equal to her husband in some ways, for example as a Christian (Gal 3:28). She is also equal in that her role is indispensable in the home (Titus 2:3-5).

In Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul discusses primarily the relationship between Christ and the church (v 32). Read the text and see Jesus' relationship to his church:
1) He loves his church (v 25);
2) He gave His life for the church (v 25);
3) He loves the church as Himself (v 28);
4) He nourishes and cherishes the church (v 29).

Any husband who understands these principles and puts them into practice, will have a wife who will love him and follow him to the ends of the earth.

In Genesis 3:16, the husband is said to rule over his wife. The word for "rule" is the same word that describes how an eldership rules in the local congregation. An eldership does indeed rule in the local church (Heb 13:7; 17). However, they are not lords over the flock (1 Pet 5:3). That is, they do not rule the church as being unanswerable to anyone else. They must answer to God for their leadership.

We close with the text of 1 Peter 3:6, given here without comment:
1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,
2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.
3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward — arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel —
4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,
6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.