THE ROLE OF WOMEN

Part III


PART 3: HEADSHIP AND ADORNMENT
[Translations are the author's unless otherwise indicated.]

In this section, the much misunderstood issues of "Headship" and "Adornment" will be considered. In order to have a proper understanding, the scriptures have been translated from the original Greek and explained from the Hebraic perspective.

1 Corinthians 11:1-16:
v. 1: Become imitators of me to the degree that I also am of Christ.

v. 2: I commend you then, brothers, that in every way, in all things, you think much of me, and you hold fast to the traditions, doctrines, teachings, as I transmitted them to you.

v. 3: But I want you to know, that the crown, completion of every husband is the Christ, but the crown, completion of the wife is the husband, and the crown, completion of the Christ is God.

Man's headship was established in Genesis 3:16.

v. 4: Every man offering prayers or prophesying, if he has the head hooded, covered, puts to shame, dishonors his completion.

The man, too, has an order to follow - his head must not be covered.

v. 5: Also, every woman offering prayers of prophesying, with the head uncovered (without the Christ as her crown, completion), puts to shame her head (the Christ Who is our covering); because she is as one with her whose head is shaved [as was the custom of the times for Greek prostitutes].

The analogy here is that of Hosea's disloyal, harlot wife and the unfaithfulness of Israel toward her God.

v. 6 Whereas as long as the woman does not cover herself (with the Christ), let her also cut off her hair; but if it is dishonoring, causing shame to the woman to keep cutting her hair or to keep shaving it, let her be covered (with the Christ) [be or come back to a relationship with Christ).

v. 7 For indeed, the man is not obliged to keep his head covered because he is the mirrored, living image and the honor, glory, splendor, magnificence of God; just as the wife is the honor, glory, splendor, magnificence of the husband.

Genesis 1:26-27 shows that God created man in His image and gave him authority over all the earth. From the original Hebrew, Genesis 5:1-2 states, " In that day God created the Adam, in the image of God He created him. Male/female He created them; and He blessed them, and He called forth their name, Adam, in that day He created them."

The first human relationship, also the most intimate one, in which the filling of the Holy Spirit is to be manifested, is the marriage relationship, which God ordained. This marriage relationship is symbolic of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Just as the wife is the honor, glory, splendor, magnificence of the husband, so the "Bride", the Church, is the honor, glory, splendor, magnificence of the "Bridegroom", Christ Jesus.

With this understanding, let us examine 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 in its entirety:

vv. 1-3: Become an imitator of me to the degree that I also am of Christ. But I praise you brothers that in all things of me you have recalled. And in as much as I delivered you the traditions that you possessed, also I desire of you to take hold, husbands, of this, that the head of all husbands is the one Christ. Also the head of wives, the ones of husbands, also the head is Christ, the God.

vv. 4-7: Every man praying or prophesying with long hair hanging down from the head shames the head here. Also every woman praying or prophesying with the head uncovered (with Christ) shames the head (Christ - Who is our covering) of herself. For it is the same way as being shaved. For if a woman does not have the covering, then let her be as the shorn [as a prostitute - the parallel here is that of Hosea's wife and unfaithful Israel]. Also if it is shameful for women to be of the shorn or of the shaved, let them be covered (with Christ). For indeed ought not a man to be covered (with Christ)? For he being the image and glory of God. Also the glory of a husband is the wife.

vv. 8-10: For is not man out of woman, also woman out of man? [Referring first to man being born of woman via childbirth, then to woman being created out of man at creation.] And since man was not created by the means of the woman, but woman for the sake of (the other self of) the man. Therefore these, the women, ought to have authority because of the head (Christ) through these messengers [the leaders of the Corinthian church].

vv. 11-12: Therefore neither is man to be separate of woman nor is woman to be separate of man in the Lord. For as the woman is out of the man at the same time and in the same way also the man is by the means of the woman, on the other hand everything is out of the God.

vv. 13-15: Make this decision within yourselves. Is it proper for an uncovered woman to be in a place of prayer of the God? Does not she and natural conditions teach us that indeed if a man wearing long hair at the same time and in the same way it is a dishonor, but if a woman wears long hair it is a glory to her. Because the hair has been established to her as a covering.

v. 16: But if anyone be disposed to be argumentative, we do not have this custom, nor do any of the churches of God!

In the above verses, Paul is dealing with several problems. Corinth was one of the most perverted cities of its day known for everything depraved and debauched. To be a Corinthian was considered to be as immoral as a human being could be. The name of the city itself became synonymous with the word "fornication."

The Greeks were coming into the church with the old concepts of the pagan temple. The thinking of the day was that wives were for the purpose of having children, the temple prostitutes were for sexual rites of fertility, and men were for fun (homosexuality - an abomination in the eyes of God and forbidden by the Law.)

Paul's reference to long hair was not an indictment against it, but a declaration of the Law that no man is to be as a woman, and no woman as a man (Lev. 18:22, 20:13; Deut. 22:5; 1 Kings 14:24; Rom. 1:18-32).

In Deuteronomy 22:5, the injunction against a woman wearing a man's clothes and a man wearing a woman's clothes must be appropriately applied within the cultural context. Dress varies according to cultures and times. Biblical dress for men and women is not the necessary standard. In Biblical times, both men and women wore similar style clothing but it was distinguishable. Men did not wear pants, so to state that pants are only appropriate for men and not women today does not relate to the real meaning of scripture. The principle is that a woman should not dress so as to appear as a man and vice versa.

Also, many of the women in the church were still acting as temple prostitutes. Paul is saying that they are not covered with long hair, as is a virgin bride. It was a Jewish custom that the hair of a virgin could not be cut, but after marriage it could be shaved. Prostitutes who were attempting to pray or prophesy without their heads covered with Christ are a shame to Christ, as is a woman with an already-shaved head marrying a Jew.

Titus 1:15 -16 deal with the "covering" that all believers should have :

 v. 15: On the other hand all things are clean to the innocent, but to these that have defiled the (innocence) with sin and unbelief, nothing at all is clean, also even their minds and ability to feel guilt has become defiled of the (innocence).

v. 16 They profess to lay hold to God and to take advantage of the grace of God, but by their actions, their expressions, occupations and all undertakings they are estranged from Him. You become something detestable and rebellious and reprobate to every useful, beneficial and advantageous deed.

In 1 Timothy 2:9-15, Paul addresses the subject of women - particularly their behavior and their role in the church: "Likewise also, women, in manner of dress, do you not adorn [decorate, put in order], with modesty and sound judgment, yourselves in elaborate hairstyle, even gold and pearls and expensive garments? [Hebrew women used to pull their long hair up and wrap it around the their heads, securing it with very elaborate combs. They would then adorn their hair with jewels, pearls and gold].

"Also, it is proper for women to undertake every activity for Christ's sake in a manner professing respect for God. Woman, learn in quietness (of spirit) in all submission, but women who have not received what is being taught, neither do I permit you to have the authority of the men (in teaching). [In the Greek, the critical understanding is that women are not to teach until they have received the teaching and are, therefore, qualified to teach. For centuries the Jewish women were kept in the balcony or in separate areas of the synagogue. Without proper instruction, they could not be qualified to teach.]

"Certainly Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived has come to be in transgression. But she will be delivered through the birth of The Child [Christ], if they [women] remain in the faith and in the love and in pureness of motives and with good sense, sound judgment, modesty and decency." (See Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol. IV, p. 570.) [The key point is that the woman receives her salvation through Jesus Christ (His birth and sacrifice), NOT BY GIVING BIRTH TO MANY CHILDREN, as some teachings would have us believe.]

1 Peter 3:3-4 (NASB) deals with adornment in more detail:

v. 3: And let not your adornment be MERELY external - braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;

v. 4: But let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

A woman should adorn her inner being with those things that are precious in God's eyes.

In 1 Timothy 3:1-16, Paul deals with the conduct and personal responsibilities of overseers and deacons in the church.

v. 1: Trustworthy is this word; if anyone aspires to the position of overseership, it is a good work that one has a desire of.

v. 2: It behooves, then, the one desiring to be an overseer to be one without reproach. The husband of one wife (at a time), temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, qualified at teaching; 

v. 3: Not an abusive drunkard, not one who gets into fights, not greedy for personal gain, but gentle of spirit, not a causer of factions or divisions, one not in love of money;

v. 4: That one who has proper authority and respect in their own home, having respectful relationship of authority with their own children.

v. 5: But if anyone does not have a respectful authority in their own home, how will this person ever have respectful authority with the called out ones of God.

 v. 6: Never a new convert, lest that one become conceited (thinking of themselves as specially called or more important than others) and fall into the discernment of the devil (as being able to be used by him).

v. 7: Also these must have a good relationship with people outside the ones called out (by Christ), so that these may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

v. 8: Ministers (deacons) likewise be of dignity and not one who speaks one way (in the church) and another to please others, and not an abusive drinker, or fond of personal gain (one using their position to satisfy their greed).

v. 9: Possessing the knowledge of the mysteries of the faith with a pure conscience (not to abuse them or misuse them)

v. 10: Also let these be tested and proved first, then let them minister, if they are without reproach.

v. 11: Woman ministers (deaconesses) likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, temperate of spirit, and proven trustworthy in everything.

v. 12: Let male ministers be of one wife (at a time) and good managers of their own children and their own households.

v. 13: For those having ministered well (in their positions given them) obtain for themselves the measure of good stature, and having much boldness in the faith that is with those in Christ Jesus.

v. 14: I am writing these things to you, hoping to be able to come to you in person before long.

v. 15: But for any reason I am delayed, I am writing these things so that you will know how to be conducting yourselves in the family household of God, which are the called out one of the Living God, the pillars and foundations of the truth.

v. 16: And confessedly great are the mysteries of Godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, was justified by the Spirit, was seen by human messengers of God, was proclaimed in the non-Judean nations, was believed on in the world order, and was taken up in total glory.

The issue of a wife's submission to her husband is grossly misunderstood in much of the church world today. A proper context is necessary in order to correctly understand the following scriptures.

Colossians 3:18-23:
"You wives, be submitting yourselves unto your husbands as is becoming in the Lord. You husbands, be loving your wives and be not embittered against them. You children be obedient unto your parents in all things for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. You fathers, be not irritating your children lest they be disheartened [v. 22 omitted]. Whatsoever you may be doing from the soul be working at it as unto the Lord and not unto men."

Eph 5:22-33:
"Wives, be subject to your own husbands,
(as he earns it - an understood thought in Greek grammar) as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE; AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband."

The apostle Paul is very clear here in the expression of God's ideal for the marriage relationship. It was designed to be symbolic of the spiritual relationship between Christ and the Church. Submission is mutual, one to another and both to Jesus Christ as the Bride. 

We, as humans, can never attain the degree of love Christ manifested, yet we are exhorted to have the same kind of love. Remember, Christ laid down His life for His Bride, the Church.

1 Peter 3:7 (NASB) - "You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel [PHYSICALLY WEAKER, not mentally or spiritually; VESSEL: abode of God], since she is a woman [WOMAN: out of man; other self of man], and grant her honor as a fellow [joint] heir of the grace of life [the sacrifice of Christ's life], so that your prayers may not be hindered."

Paul tells us in Galatians 3:28 that "There is not a Judean nor Greek; There is not a Slave nor a Freeman; There is not a Male AND Female (Gen 2) for everyone of US is IN CHRIST JESUS." 

Jesus has a new name in the book of Revelation and the Bride of Christ (both male and female believers) has her new name written in heaven. Jesus was able to give His Bride equality of authority as in Luke 10:19, thereby elevating her to sit at His right side as heir and joint-heir.

According to Hebraic writings, we now take on the surname or family name of heaven and no longer are under the bondage of the earthly order. We all become brethren under that new family name.

1 Corinthians 15:49: "And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."

The only true equality and deliverance of women is in the acceptance of Jesus Christ, Who then makes them an equal entity - not through any church - but through the mentality of Christ-like behavior and Christ-like concepts.

In the realm of Christianity, most churches are "religious organizations" and operate very much under the old puritanical and cultural ideas incorporated with their religious beliefs. They have not recognized, even within their own organizations, the equality or freedom in Jesus Christ for women. They are still following the ancient concepts of secular humanism under the fall of sin, not the pure relationship with Jesus Christ granting total equality of all spiritual beings in Him.

With Christ, women were allowed equality but were still under the covering of the male. They could not be apostles because they were still under the old covenant and still required male headship, but Jesus allowed them to work with Him and even forbid the men to hinder them. It was through Jesus' death and resurrection that women have been set free of the old covenant, and it is now Jesus Who is the headship of any women who enters into a personal relationship with Him. In fact, Revelation 1:6 makes it clear, " He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Men and women must come to a full realization of the headship of Christ and make Him the center of their lives, both personal and public. Pride must be put aside and God's Word must be put in its place.

The cause of division and strife in the Church and in the family can usually be placed at the feet of the men and women who are not in a right relationship with Christ. Weak men and dominating women are a part of what leads to many of the ills that we see in society today - alcoholism, drug dependency, abuse, and subsequently, the breakdown in the family structure, and finally, the possible loss of salvation.

Mankind's ego and pride must take second place to the headship of Jesus. To be successful, we must put "self" aside and become willing vessels to be used by God. When man and woman come into right relationship with each other, Jesus, and the Church, then the quality of their lives will improve.

Each person carries an equal share in the responsibility of making life better for themselves and those around them, both at work and home. This definitely requires a certain amount of humility. Sometimes we find that we are wrong and one of the hardest things to do is to admit this. Pride does not make it easy for us to say "I'm wrong" or "I'm sorry." If we can learn to put "self" aside and just simply admit we made a mistake, who knows how much pain and suffering could be avoided. It doesn't hurt; in fact, it releases a lot of tension and stress which in and of itself is quite harmful.

There was a popular song that had a line in it that went something like this: "Pride is the chief cause of the decline in the number of husbands and wives." Look at what is happening around us today. Family units are breaking up, lives are being altered or even destroyed, innocents suffer, futures are changed. Even some Christian marriages, the very ones that the "worldly" watch, are failing. People in general have become very self-serving with the attitude: "What's in it for me?"

But how many of these failing relationships could have been healed with a proper Christ-centered approach? There will always be a difference of opinion as long as there are at least two people living. Yet it's how we deal with this - that makes the difference.

References (Part III):

Robertson, Archibald Thomas. Word Pictures in the New Testament (Volume IV). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, �1931.

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