Authority Is

As we begin to look at God’s design for men as leaders in their homes and communities, it is good for us to look at 1 Corinthians 11:3.

“But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”

This passage contains the highly controversial (in our modern feminist world) notion of the husband being the “head” of the wife. But let’s set that aside for a moment and notice something else about the passage. Notice that the head of Christ is God the father.

Within the godhead there is an authority structure.

Does this mean that Christ (God the Son) is “worth” less than God the Father? Does it mean that Christ has less intrinsic value? Absolutely not! Colossians 1:15 says, “[Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” John 14:8-9 says, “Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.'”

Jesus Christ and God the Father are one. As it says in the Nicene Creed, Jesus is “very God of very God.” And yet, Christ is subordinate to the Father in terms of the governing of the world. Christ voluntarily submits.

As it says in Philippians 2:5-8 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

God has ordained that there will be authority structures in the universe. It is God’s means of keeping order and harmony. Even within the godhead, there is a chain of command.

If a feminist wants to complain that somehow it is demeaning to suggest that a women submit to the authority God has ordained, she is suggesting that a woman has more right to ignore authority than Christ Himself.

Pride is the root of all sin. We all wish to be in control, with no accountability to anyone or anything. We must recognize the feelings of rebellion as such and reject them. Men taking their place as the leaders in their home will bring countless blessings on their wives, children, and future generations.

A right understanding of this issue starts with a right appreciation for God’s design and an acknowledgment that authority, whether we like it or not, is inherent to God’s structure.