the7ones.comIs the husband the head of the wife?
It may seem an antiquated notion in the 21st century that the husband is the “head” of the wife. But according to the Bible, this is exactly the case.
Daily we are bombarded with images of “strong” women in the media. Advertisements extol the virtue of women “having it all.” Sitcoms are full of domineering wives beleaguering their husbands and families. It is no wonder that a generation has been raised with an incomplete picture of how a godly home is supposed to operate.
In Ephesians 5:23, Paul says:
For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. (ESV)
When modern ears hear “head of the wife,” the general, culturally-ingrained reaction is to thing there is some type of inappropriate domination going on in a house that adheres to the Bible’s admonition. However, just the opposite is the case. If a man loves his wife, he will treat her with dignity and respect, “just as Christ loved the church:”
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ 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, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. — Ephesians 5:25-30 (ESV)
The husband-wife relationship should be one of mutual respect. The wife, understanding that the husband is the head, submits to her husband (Eph. 5:22). The husband cares for, loves and cherishes his wife, just as he cares for his own body, and just as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:28-30).
How does Christ love the church? Enough to die for it (Eph. 5:25)! Therefore, in God’s plan for marriage, the husband should be willing to give himself for his wife, even to the point of death.
Having someone be the “head” over you is not a demeaning thing, especially when everyone involved is seeking to honor God. In a God-honoring relationship, the husband will lead the family in an atmosphere of love and respect. The wife will allow her husband to be the authority in the home. The wife will feel respected and loved, the husband will feel respected and loved, and the children will be reared in a stable, spiritually alive home.
Is the husband the head of the wife? Yes! But if God’s plan for the home is followed, no one will feel demeaned or abused, and everyone will be able to reach their fullest potential as Christians.
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