QT 3/31/2025 1 Cor 11:1-7, Headship is a command

1 Corinthians 11:1–7 (ESV) —

1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

2 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 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. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.

 

NOTE: This passage causes a lot of problems for many people. I would start out by saying that the word of God is true. God has given the headship role to the man in the church and home. I don't believe that is true in secular roles because they are not discussed here. But we do see the words: prayer, prophesies, wife, and husband -- words used in church and marriage. In the examples that follow the command, we see how cultural norms play out in biblical values. For a variety reasons, hair length and covering were important 2000 years ago. The cultural implications of the biblical truth, that the man is to be the head of the family, and men are to be the head of the church remain true today, although are expressed differently. We cannot sweep God's truth out the door. From the very beginning, God gave man and woman separate roles. One is not greater than the other in the eyes of God, and there is great fulfillment when we understand and fulfill our role. Sadly, many men, and women fail to fulfill the role God has given. In fact, if there is one reason why a wife has taken headship in the home, it is because her husband has failed her and the children. He is selfish and narcistic. It is a lot of work to do it right, but it will be worth it in the end.

 

Headship is not dictatorship. Jesus example of headship was to sacrifice his life for the church, his bride. Let's start there when we talk about headship.

 

PONDER:

1. Have I taken my role seriously?
2. Or am I too selfish to do what God has commanded me to do?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray I would not succumb to laziness and selfishness. I pray I would lead and be the example to my grown children and my wife. Thankfully, I did it right when younger and I see that in my son and daughter today. I also see the struggles in couples whose father failed to be a Christ-like head. Thank you for the grace to do it right even though I fail in so many things.