Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5700 headship

5700 headship

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5700 headship

The quality of being in a position of leadership or guidance. Headship has to do with God's relation to this created world, and to his ordering of relationships within it. Headship among human beings does not necessarily signify superior status, but rather a role of leadership and care. Scripture sees it as involving servanthood, and views Jesus Christ as the supreme model of this.

God as head over all things

1 Chronicles 29:11 See also Isaiah 45:23; Daniel 4:34-35; Romans 9:14-21; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28

Headship within the Godhead

The Father's eternal headship

1 Corinthians 11:3 See also 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Philippians 2:6

The Father's headship in the Son's earthly life and ministry

Jesus Christ as head of all creation

Head of the created order

Colossians 1:15-17 The description of Jesus Christ as the firstborn does not imply he is part of creation, but rather stresses his rights of inheritance over it. See also Hebrews 1:2-4

Head of all earthly and spiritual powers

Ephesians 1:20-22 See also Colossians 1:15-18; Colossians 2:10; Hebrews 2:8

Head of the church

Ephesians 4:15-16 See also Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Colossians 2:19

Head over all things at the end

Ephesians 1:9-10 See also 1 Corinthians 15:25-27; Revelation 19:11-16

Delegated headship in God's world

Headship of humanity over creation

Genesis 1:28 See also Psalm 8:1-9; Hebrews 2:5-8

Headship of rulers over their nations

Psalm 18:43 See also 1 Samuel 15:17; Isaiah 7:8-9; Daniel 2:31-38; Romans 13:1-6; 1 Peter 2:13-14

Headship of chiefs over their tribes and families

Joshua 22:13-14 See also Numbers 1:1-16; Judges 10:17-11:11; 1 Chronicles 5:15

Headship of the husband over his wife

Ephesians 5:22-24 See also 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 Women, including wives, were told to cover their heads when praying or prophesying in public as an acknowledgment, apparently, that headship attaches to males; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1-6

Headship of leaders over the people of God

1 Thessalonians 5:12 See also 1 Samuel 24:1-7; Isaiah 3:1-7 The removal of headship and leadership is seen as a mark of God's judgment; Hebrews 13:17

Humility, love and respect are to be the framework for delegated headship

1 Peter 5:1-3 See also Ephesians 5:21,25-30