Divine Order - Headship
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1Pe 3:1-7 KJV
(1) Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
(2) While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
(3) Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
(4) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
(5) For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
(6) Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
(7) Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Strong’s: From G5259 and G5021; to subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.
Thayer’s:
1) to arrange under, to subordinate
2) to subject, put in subjection
3) to subject one’s self, obey
4) to submit to one’s control
5) to yield to one’s admonition or advice
6) to obey, be subject
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Peter teaches that the wives role is to be subjected, obedient, submitted, yielded reverential to her husband. This behavior, conduct and manner of living by the wife will be the example and testimony before the husband of a woman who fears God. Nabal (fool) and Abigail is a perfect example of this in in 1 Samuel 25.
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Wives are to be modestly adorned. However, they should not merely focus on the outward appearance, but their adorning of gentleness should be rooted on the inside with a meek and quiet spirit.
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This is the adorning that our foremothers in the faith exhibited in times past (Old Covenant). They adorned/clothed themselves in subjection to their own husbands, with meek and quiet spirit. Why? Because they trusted in the Lord. Peter uses Sarah and Abraham as a case in point.
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The behavior and dress on the outside is merely a reflection of a woman’s character on the inside: one who is , yielded, modest and humble.
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How should husbands behave (cover their wives)? Dwelling with our wife according to knowledge and understanding of them, their ways, their thoughts, their insecurities, their struggles, their weaknesses (weaker vessel). Give them honor… recognizing she is also an heir, together, of the grace of life.
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Peter wrote this letter to the saints scattered abroad. It was applicable to all the Church of God. Husbands dwell with them in understanding… wives must be in subjection.
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Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, instructing him on what needed to be taught to the saints where he was ministering.
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1Ti 2:8-14 KJV
(8) I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
(9) In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
(10) But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
(11) Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
(12) But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
(13) For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
(14) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
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Paul desired that man pray everywhere with hands lifted up, without wrath or doubting. This a symbol of men adorning themselves in submission and surrender to the only wise God, Jesus.
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Paul instructs Timothy, in like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest clothing, with shamefacedness and sobriety (meek and quiet), but also good works that becomes a women professing godliness. Wives are too learn in silence, subjecting themselves to their husbands, never dominating or exercising authority over the husband.
As a case in point, Paul to used the account of Adam and Eve. In Genesis 3, Eve came out from under his covering. Decided to do something contrary to what Adam had instructed her, being given instruction directly by the Lord Himself (Genesis 2). Consequently, she was deceived, her husband sinned and we are where we are today.
Divine Order found in a Godly Home
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Col 3:18-23 KJV
(18) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
(19) Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
(20) Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
(21) Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
(22) Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
(23) And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
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Paul states to the Colossians that wives are to subject themselves to their own husbands. This is right and a just duty in the Lord. Husbands are to cover their wives with love and not be bitter against them, dwelling with them according to knowledge and understanding. Children are to obey their parents in all things. This is pleasing to the Lord. Servants are to obey their masters in all things in the fear of the Lord. Whatever we do should be done as unto the Lord our God and not men.
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Paul repeats these teachings to the Ephesians.
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Eph 5:21-33 KJV
(21) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
(22) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
(23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
(24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
(25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
(26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
(27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
(28) So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
(29) For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
(30) For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
(31) For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
(32) This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
(33) Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
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The counsel of the Lord is consistent.
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1Pe 5:1-5 KJV
(1) The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
(2) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
(3) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
(4) And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
(5) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
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Submission to the one above who covers/oversees is consistently taught from within home (in marriage and in family), to within the Church (amongst the brethren) to outside the Church (employees).
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How can the Lord bring a restitution of all things, if he doesn’t restore what was originally established in the garden between the husband and his wife?
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1Co 11:1-16 KJV
(1) Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
(2) Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
(3) But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
(4) Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
(5) But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
(6) For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
(7) For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
(8) For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
(9) Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
(10) For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
(11) Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
(12) For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
(13) Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
(14) Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
(15) But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
(16) But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
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This is neither about wearing a clothing garment as a covering, nor is it about not cutting hair. Based on all the aforementioned scriptures, the teachings of the apostles is consistent and should be applied in this context as well. When the divine order of headship is established in the home, starting with the marriage and branching out to the family, then we can talk about the standards for offices in the church.
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1Ti 3:1-15 KJV
(1) This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
(2) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
(3) Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
(4) One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
(5) (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
(6) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
(7) Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
(8) Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
(9) Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
(10) And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
(11) Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
(12) Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
(13) For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(14) These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
(15) But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Let us have our house in order and consider how this doctrine of the apostles applies to us.
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© copyright 2015 Jesus M. Ruiz