The Christian Husband
Head of the Wife
Ephesians 5:23 teaches that the husband is the head
of the wife in the same way and to the same extent that Christ is the
head of the church. The word head in this verse is used in the sense of
being the authority or ruler.
According to God's word, in Ephesians 5:22, the
husband is the head of the wife even (indeed ; in fact) as (to the same
extent or degree; equally) Christ is head of the church. The authority
to rule his
wife was first given to the husband in Genesis 3:16 . It is reiterated
here
in the teachings of Ephesians as well as other verses in the New
Testament.
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head* of the
wife, even
as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the savior of the body.
*kephale, kef-al-ay'; prob. from the prim. kapto (in the
sense of seizing); the head (as the part most readily taken hold of),
lit. or fig.:--head.
Literal interpretation
In the sense of seizing seize: to take possession (control)
of
; to take hold of
In the days of the Ancients, seizing was the act of
beheading a King. The Ancients viewed the head as representing rule,
authority, and power. Seizing was an act of demonstrating the bringing
down and taking over of a King's rule, power, and authority. It was
complete - unto death (submission is dying to self and yielding to
another).
Seizing, in the sense of seizing the headship of the wife,
meant for the husband to take complete rulership of the wife. It is a
strong
directive that instructs the husband to "take firm hold" of his
responsibilities
of leadership, to fulfill his duties as a husband and not let go of his
headship over his wife for any reason.
To determine whether or not the husbands authority over his
wife is within the realm of and, to the extent of the following
definitions or interpretations: Ask yourself if the definitions given
are within the realm of and extent of Christ's authority over the
Church. If the definitions or interpretations defines or describes
Christ's authority of the Church then it defines or describes the
husbands authority over his wife.
Head: To be chief of ; command / The place of leadership,
honor or command/ one in charge of Chief / Command : The one highest in
authority or rank / To be in control or authority over
In the relationship between Christ and the church, Christ
is the
head, the Chief of the church, her authority, her ruler. In the
relationship between the husband and wife, the husband is the Chief of
the wife, her
authority, her ruler. The Christian husband need not make apology for
assuming
his position of leadership. To fail to assume leadership within the
home
is to fail to honor God. The Christian husband can take full Christian
leadership and authority in his home and of his wife with confidence
knowing he has God's authority to do so.
Control: Power to regulate, direct, or dominate regulate:
to control or direct according to a rule (upcoming discussion: Biblical
Rules for the Ruler) direct: to regulate the activities or course of /
to dominate and determine the course of (course: manner of conducting
oneself; a way of proceeding; direction)
dominate: to control, govern or rule
govern: to rule or guide; manage
manage: to make and keep submissive / to direct, control or handle
rule: To exercise power and authority over
guide: to lead or direct the affairs, standards, opinions, etc., of
Authority
The right and power (legal authority) to command (rule), enforce laws,
determine (to decide, establish, or ascertain authoritatively or
conclusively / to limit or regulate), influence (having the power -
authority, right - to alter thoughts or behavior), or judge (govern;
rule; to make decisions on a matter according to a given law)
The Right - Having a just or legal claim
A Just Claim just: properly due or merited
The husbands headship (rule) of his wife is properly due and merited.
1 Corinthians 11: 8 - 9
For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
Genesis 2:18
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I
will make him an (1)help (2)meet for him.
(1)5828. 'ezer, ay'-zer; from H5826; aid:--help.
(2)5048. neged, neh'-ghed; from H5046; a front, i.e. part opposite;
spec. a counterpart, or mate; usually
help: to give assistance to / to make more pleasant or bearable / to
wait on; serve / one who is in the service of or who assist another:
helper mate: one of a matched pair; (a completer); spouse (life
partner)
help-mate: a helper and companion
A Legal Claim / Legal Authority (power)
legal: established by law
Psalms 119:72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me
than thousands of gold and silver.
That which is spoken by God is law. The Bible is the Word
of God
and as such is law. God's word is eternal and His law relevant for all
generations.
It is established and true on the basis of God's holiness. It is not
affected,
nor does it change on the basis of time in history or culture. God's
word
ordains and appoints the husband as head of the wife. This is His will,
His
desire, His command, His law. On the basis of God's law, the husband
has
legal headship (authority) of his wife. It is legal authority -
authority
that is derived from and founded on law. It is better to be obedient to
the
law then to gain all that the world offers.
