1 Corinthians Chapter 11 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
θέλω
I would have
G2309
θέλω
I would have
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
1 of 22
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
εἰδέναι
know
G1492
εἰδέναι
know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
4 of 22
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεφαλὴ
the head
G2776
κεφαλὴ
the head
Strong's:
G2776
Word #:
9 of 22
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεφαλὴ
the head
G2776
κεφαλὴ
the head
Strong's:
G2776
Word #:
13 of 22
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεφαλὴ
the head
G2776
κεφαλὴ
the head
Strong's:
G2776
Word #:
18 of 22
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
Cross References
Genesis 3:16Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.Colossians 3:18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.Colossians 1:18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.1 Corinthians 3:23And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.Ephesians 4:15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:Colossians 2:19And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.1 Peter 3:1Likewise, 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;Colossians 2:10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Historical Context
Roman Corinth had complex gender norms. Elite Roman women enjoyed significant freedom, while Greek customs were more restrictive. Pagan religious ceremonies often featured ecstatic, gender-bending rites (temple prostitutes, eunuch priests). Paul addresses a church where new freedom in Christ (Galatians 3:28) was being misunderstood as erasure of creational distinctions. Some Corinthian women were apparently discarding head coverings during worship, possibly claiming radical egalitarianism or spiritual superiority.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Trinity's internal ordering (Father, Son, Spirit) model unity with distinction rather than sameness?
- In what ways does modern culture confuse equality of worth with sameness of role?
- How can churches affirm women's equal dignity and spiritual gifts while honoring biblical distinctions in marriage and church leadership?
Analysis & Commentary
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—Paul establishes a theological hierarchy using κεφαλή (kephalē, head), which can mean source, authority, or both. The threefold chain—God → Christ → man → woman—grounds the head-covering practice (vv. 4-16) in created order, not mere cultural convention.
This verse is controversial but crucial. Kephalē likely carries both source (Genesis 2:21-23, woman from man) and authority (Ephesians 5:23-24). Critically, and the head of Christ is God shows this is not about ontological inferiority—Christ is fully divine—but about economic order within the Trinity (1 Corinthians 15:28). Just as Christ submits to the Father without being less divine, wives' submission to husbands doesn't imply inferior worth or dignity (Galatians 3:28). Paul's theology roots gender roles in creation order and Trinitarian relations, not cultural patriarchy.