Paul begins to expand on worship service traditions (teachings) with the general truth in verse 3. The keyword in verse 3 is “head”, translated from the Greek noun “kephale” (a transliteration), used 75 times in the New Testament. It literally means “head” or “top” and, metaphorically, signifies authority, leadership, and preeminence, particularly in discussions of roles. (Ephesians 5:23)
Jesus confirmed that God, his Father, is his head, meaning his authority. (John 5:19) Christ is the head of man since God the Father placed him over man, and Jesus gave himself up for and will judge all mankind. (Matthew 17:5; John 3:35-36, 5:26-27)
Man is the head of woman. Perhaps that truth is the reason for Paul’s transition, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1) Some Greek women probably enjoyed their newfound freedom in Christ so much that they stopped following the cultural norm of wearing head covering in public and went about topless. (I purposely stated it that way to give it the same shock they induced in their culture.)
Man was made for Christ, the Lord God. Eve was made next for Adam. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:15, 18, 20b-22) However, Paul states elsewhere that this is only in the physical sense, not the spiritual: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28) The “all sons of God” status will prevail when the body decays, unless Jesus has a special place for you.
Some years ago I read in a book written by a married couple, the wife stated that the woman has been given the better place for the responsibility relies on the man. He is to listen to the counsel of his God and wife and make a decision. Any fault, any error, any casualty, and any miscarriage will be his responsibility. He can blame no one but himself. Adam cannot blame Eve, though he did. (Genesis 3:12) She was deceived first, and Adam is to blame for he was there, said nothing, and disobeyed God. (Genesis 3:6, 17)
So, God is the head of Christ, Christ the head of man, and man the head of woman. The responsibility of man is the woman and to obey Christ, as the obedience of Christ is to the Father and the responsiblity of man’s salvation was Christ’s.
