Submission Under Jesus as the Head
July 11
As we look at 1 Corinthians 11, we need to consider that a key to properly understanding the Bible is to interpret the Bible in light of other passages in the Bible. Interpret questionable passages in light of clear passages. Also consider the context. Paul has been talking about idolatry, and as he goes into chapters 12–14, he will discuss Spiritual Gifts and propriety in corporate worship. (1 Corinthians 14:40)
Having said that, Paul goes into some obscure passages regarding cultural customs of women covering their heads. It’s difficult to understand some/most of these cultural customs, since they are so different than our context. He introduces this section (11:2–16) with a discussion of Jesus’ authority over husbands and their submission to Jesus. Then he says that husbands are the head of their wives. Now, note that I have limited the authority of husbands and wives, rather than men and women. The Greek word for man and husband is the same. The Greek word for woman and wife is the same. It’s clear that Paul is not saying that women in general are under the authority of men in general. In the context, Paul is talking about covenant marriage partners (husband/wife) specifically, not generally (man/woman).
He relates this authority structure to the symbolism of covering one’s head when praying and prophesying. (1 Corinthians 11:4–5) Prophesying in the New Testament context was not so much speaking forward what God says, as we often think of with the word prophecy (as in predicting the future). Rather, in this context, Paul is referring to speaking forth what God says (as in teaching or preaching). In other words, Paul didn’t seem to have a problem with wives praying and speaking for God in the gathered church service. We’ll look at that in more depth over the next few days.
Evidently, during pagan worship, women uncovered their heads while worshiping pagan gods. Paul says, “Don’t do that in your gathered church services!” He says that wives should cover their heads, demonstrating their respect to their head: their husband. Paul also spoke about men (this applies to all men) uncovering their heads, to show their respect to their head: Jesus.
Since Paul doesn’t address head coverings elsewhere in his letters, we need to carefully apply this section of the Bible. (1 Corinthians 11:16)
Application
In our discussion about husbands and wives, it’s clear that Paul is not teaching a patriarchy doctrine imposed by recent interpreters. Paul is teaching from the created order, going all the way back to Genesis. In his first Christian album, Bob Dylan sang, “You gotta serve somebody.” The pastor who married my wife and me said that anything with more than one head is a monster.
The word submit is a military term which means to fall in line. Imagine what would happen if a group of Privates, fresh out of boot camp, refused to submit to any commanding officer. Rather than a finely-tuned military unit, there would be chaos. Submission to authority is a biblical concept, not a cultural concept. Submission is a good word that unfortunately has been twisted. Yes, Paul teaches mutual submission of all believers, (Ephesians 5:21) but there can only be one head in a family. The head of all husbands is Jesus. The head of wives is their own husbands.