Daily Christian Journey

Headship in the Bible refers to the concept of authority and leadership, particularly in the context of relationships between men and women. In 1 Corinthians 11:3-16, Paul discusses headship in the context of worship, teaching that men should not cover their heads while praying or prophesying, while women should cover their heads as a sign of authority and submission to their husbands.

The passage is often misunderstood, with some interpreting it as a sign of the husband’s authority over his wife, while others see it as a sign of the authority the wife has to pray or prophesy. However, both views agree that the head covering is a symbol of submission to her husband and a sign that she is therefore able to pray or prophesy in the assembly.

Paul appeals to the created order in this passage, stopping short of explicitly grounding head coverings in God’s original design. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of a symbol of authority, leaving the specifics of the covering to cultural interpretation.

In modern times, the concept of headship can be applied by recognizing the importance of symbols of authority and submission in our own cultural contexts. This may involve men and women taking on different roles in worship, such as men leading in prayer and teaching, while women participate in ways that demonstrate their submission to their husbands.

Ultimately, headship in the Bible is about recognizing and respecting the authority and leadership structures that God has established, particularly in the context of relationships between men and women.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Headship in the Bible refers to authority and leadership, particularly in relationships between men and women.
• 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 discusses headship in the context of worship, emphasizing the importance of symbols of authority and submission.
• The passage is often misunderstood, but both views agree that the head covering is a symbol of submission to her husband and a sign that she is therefore able to pray or prophesy.
• Paul appeals to the created order, leaving the specifics of the covering to cultural interpretation.
• In modern times, the concept of headship can be applied by recognizing the importance of symbols of authority and submission in our own cultural contexts.