Paul and the “head” from 1 Corinthians 11
May 16th, 2007 by Cheryl Schatz
1 Corinthians 11 has been a hotly disputed passage regarding the meaning of “head”.
While some have seen a hierarchy of authority in this passage,
others say that Paul is explaining the importance of origins.
The first presupposition I have is that I come to this passage believing that it is fully God breathed. I believe that God inspired its content, word usage, grammar and word order.
The second presupposition of mine is that I believe Paul is consistent in repeating himself and defining his own terms. Paul let us know that repetition is very important to for our safety. Paul said in Philippians 3:1 -
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
Repeating the same things over again in a slightly different way is a safeguard for us because it helps us to understand what is being said. Repetition lessens the problems of miscommunication. Paul said that it was no trouble for him to repeat himself because it was for our benefit. So if Paul thought repetition was a good thing, we can expect that Paul will define his terms by repeating himself in a slightly different way to enable us to understand this important teaching.
Let’s look at the original reference to “head”
1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.
Now there are three things that we can note from this verse:
1. Christ is the “head” of every man
2. The man is the “head” of a woman
3. God is the “head” of Christ
Where are these things repeated in the passage? It is in verse 12.
1 Corinthians
11:12 For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God.
Here Paul says the same thing in a slightly different way. Man is the beginning point of origin for the woman because the very first woman, Eve, came through the body of Adam. As the man was the originating point for the woman, the man now has his origin through the woman. Christ himself became human through the woman but his ultimate origin is of God.
What is Paul’s application? Paul tells us in verse 11.
1 Corinthians
1:11 However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.
There is to be no competition between men and women because God has overridden any advantage that one has over the other. Men and women are interdependent (verse 11) because in the beginning God created man to be the source of the woman but since then woman has been the one to produce the man. However God is the ultimate source not any man or woman because all things originate through Him.
Christ received his humanity through the woman, but his origin was from God and as God he is the origin of all things and of all men.
So where is Paul’s reference to a hierarchical order? Where is the man said to be the authority of the woman in this passage? Where does the passage say anything in reference to Christ being an authority of every man or that God is to be an authority over Christ? Unfortunately for those who come to this passage with a bias already in place towards male superiority, Paul defines the meaning of “head” in verse 12 and this meaning has everything to do with “source” or “origin” and nothing whatsoever to do with authority of one person over another.
The original source is God and men and women are interdependent regarding one another.
Nice little article it reminds me of the question “which came first the chicken or the egg”, now I see clearly the answer, it was God who was first, then the chicken then the egg, to follow the above in analogy.
Jesus is wonderful!
Your brother in Christ,
Martin Willemoes Hansen
Very good “pictology”. And you didn’t beat around but got right to it. > I call this the chronological listing of honorific orgins.
Hi Cheryl, I know this is a typo but it may help to correct it for new readers:
1 Corinthians 1:11 However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.
It is 1 Corin 11:11
I have just discovered your teaching and am overwheled by it! I am digging into scripture. Thank you for all your hard work and for your gracious and loving manner with those who disagree with you.
TL,
Great title! I like how you worded that!
Lin,
Thank you for your comments and encouragement! I welcome you here to learn and participate with us.
Cheryl
Gidday Cheryl
Can i pls ask you some qns and make a few observations for you to perhaps comment upon?
what do you make of the singular ‘a woman’ in verse 3 and the pluaral ‘every man’?
I think that paul’s statement in v 12 that EVERYTHING comes from God is crucial to the passage - especially if you hold to “head” as meaning ’source’ or ‘origin’, v 12 is key. Can you clarify for me, are you actually claiming that the three ‘pairs’ of v 3 are referred back to in some way in v 12? or just that paul clariies the male-femle relationship one of interdependence with all originating from God?
what do you make of the phrase “in the Lord”?
i know some who use this phrase as a kind of ’spiritual’ status in Christ, rather than applicable to ministry/ roles in the church body …just as some argue Gal 3:28 is ‘purely’ salvation ’status’…
I also believe that verse 7, where Paul says ,man is the image and glory of God, and ,woman is the glory of man, is the key to unlocking the meaning of the passage…
Paul’s argument is about glory and shame. Not about authority and hierarchy.
(…but i am sure you will ‘unpack’ that for us shortly, right???!)
further regarding v 3: what is interesting to also note is that paul does not explicitly refer to the 3 ‘pairs’ again - only the ‘pair’ of man and woman is used. for example, if v 3 was the ‘basis’ for the entire passage, then surely Paul would have said that man is the glory of ‘Christ’ (not ‘God’) in v 7, to link back to v 3?
why does paul introduce a thought in verse 3 - that man is the head of a woman… then basically ‘reverse’ or revoke his argument in v.12?
What do you make of this? is this what he actually does in your opinnion?
what about Paul’s metaphorical use of ‘kephale’ (head) in Ephesians 1:10, 22; 4;15; 5:23 and Colossians 1:18; 2:10;19? can we assume that Paul is consistent or ‘repeating’ his use of ‘head’ in these other passages?
is paul always consistent / repetitive in his teaching to ‘different’ churches/ recipients? (i haven’t studied this at all, so just wondered what you think.)
i could ask a million more qns - but i am sure you have a full palte already!
i look forward to any comments you can make to my rambling thoughts.
your teaching is always thought provoking!
many thanks.
(-:
kerryn
Oh dear - I apologise to all for my many typos above! writing with kids on my lap can cause challenges! hopefully it’s vaguely cohesive and intelligible?
sorry and thanks for your patience.
K
Hi Kerryn,
Lots of questions and very good ones at that! These questions will make a great post so that all can read not just those who read the comment section. I will have to put a bookmark here, though, because I am at a family reunion and won’t be back home for a couple more days. Looks like 1 Corinthians 11 is going to blossom out to a few more posts that I had intended, but that is great! Keep the questions coming and watch for my answers shortly as I can carve out the time. Ah, the family calls right now so I am off to play games with the family.
Warmly,
Cheryl
To Cheryl,
Thank you for taking me a man under your wing, your one of my spiritual mothers in The Faith. When you speak it’s all of the spirit, very simple even a little child can understand. I pray that the Lord raises up more women who have the gift of teaching. An as a man I humble myself under your Godly Truthful Teaching of scripture,Happily! My spirit is happy that I found the right understand of these important scriptures thanks to yourself. The Lord is truly lending/guiding you greatly. I love how you were able to tie in what Paul said in Philippians 3:1 ! It all just flowed like living water, The Lord has used a woman to refresh my spirit! Let this be recorded for all of History! Amen!
Michael,
I am very encouraged that you were blessed by my teaching!