1 Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Paul isn't setting up a rigid hierarchy of control, but rather a chain of responsibility and accountability, all flowing from God. Notice that Christ is under God, showing that true spiritual leadership is always about submission to the divine source.
Paul is addressing a chaotic worship service in Corinth, where cultural norms about head coverings during prayer and prophecy are causing division. He’s explaining the principle of order and authority within the church community, rooted in God’s design, by drawing parallels between Christ and God, husbands and wives, and men and the church. This teaching about headship is meant to guide their understanding of mutual respect and proper conduct in worship, preventing further disorder and promoting unity.
This verse drops a bombshell right at the start about 'headship.' What does it really mean for Christ to be the 'head' of every man?
Paul isn't talking about a boss-subordinate relationship here. When he says Christ is the 'head of every man,' he's highlighting Christ's ultimate authority and source of life for believers. Every man, as a follower of Christ, ultimately looks to Him. This is the foundational headship that sets the pattern for other relationships.
Christ's Supremacy
Think of it like this: Christ is the origin, the leader, the one to whom every man is accountable. This isn't about dominance, but about divine order and Christ's vital role as the head of His body, the Church.
After establishing Christ's headship, Paul moves to human relationships. How does the first point inform the rest?
The connection between Christ and man, and then man and wife, is crucial. The headship of the husband over the wife is presented as a reflection or illustration of Christ's headship over the church. It’s a model of loving leadership and sacrificial care, not of tyranny.
Reflecting Christ's Love
Just as Christ leads and nourishes the church, a husband is called to lead his wife in a way that honors Christ. This isn't about power over, but about responsibility within a divinely established order that aims for unity and mutual respect, with Christ as the ultimate standard.
The verse concludes with a surprising statement: 'the head of Christ is God.' What does this reveal about the Trinity?
This final clause highlights the unique relationship within the Godhead. It doesn't diminish Christ's divinity but points to the Father as the ultimate source and authority from whom the Son derives His mission and authority within the plan of salvation. It’s a profound mystery of divine order and unity.
Understand the original words
kephalē · Greek Noun
Often used metaphorically to denote authority, priority, or origin, describing the hierarchical or functional relationship between two parties within God's created order.
anēr · Greek Noun
A person of the male gender; often used in scripture to denote the role of leadership or headship within the family and the church.
gynē · Greek Noun
A woman joined to a man in the covenant of marriage; often signifies the context of the marital relationship and the roles defined therein.
Theos · Greek Noun
The Supreme Being, the Creator, and Father of Jesus Christ, who holds the ultimate authority in the Trinitarian relationship and the created universe.
This passage echoes the idea of the husband being the 'head of the wife' by describing Christ as the head of the church, creating a parallel for the marital relationship.
1 Corinthians 15:28This verse further clarifies the ultimate subjection of all things, including Christ Himself in His humanity, to God, reinforcing the hierarchy presented in 1 Corinthians 11:3.
Philippians 2:5-6It illustrates Christ's humility and voluntary emptying of Himself, showing His equality with God while also hinting at His unique relationship and submission to the Father's will.
Genesis 1:27This foundational text highlights God's creation of humanity in His image, male and female, providing a backdrop for understanding the distinct yet complementary roles discussed in the passage.
Paul isn't setting up a rigid hierarchy of control, but rather a chain of responsibility and accountability, all flowing from God. Notice that Christ is under God, showing that true spiritual leadership is always about submission to the divine source.
Paul is addressing a chaotic worship service in Corinth, where cultural norms about head coverings during prayer and prophecy are causing division. He’s explaining the principle of order and authority within the church community, rooted in God’s design, by drawing parallels between Christ and God, husbands and wives, and men and the church. This teaching about headship is meant to guide their understanding of mutual respect and proper conduct in worship, preventing further disorder and promoting unity.
Paul is addressing a chaotic worship service in Corinth, where cultural norms about head coverings during prayer and prophecy are causing division. He’s explaining the principle of order and authority within the church community, rooted in God’s design, by drawing parallels between Christ and God, husbands and wives, and men and the church. This teaching about headship is meant to guide their understanding of mutual respect and proper conduct in worship, preventing further disorder and promoting unity.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 1 Corinthians 11:3 is available in the Sola app.
Unity in the Trinity
Even in His eternal being, there is an order and a relationship of dependence (in terms of role and mission) within the Trinity. God the Father is the ultimate head, from whom Jesus, the Son, operates. This shows that authority and order are intrinsic to God's very being.
"But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." — Paul isn't setting up a rigid hierarchy of control, but rather a chain of responsibility and accountability, all flowing from God. Notice that Christ is under God, showing that true spiritual l…
