1 Corinthians 11:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul lays out an ordered series of relationships, each one looking to another as its head.
What Does 1 Corinthians 11:3 Mean?
Before addressing conduct in worship, Paul sets a framework of relationship. He names a series of headship that rises step by step, ending where all things end, in God. This grounds what follows in something larger than custom.
The word head speaks of source and of honor. Notably, Christ Himself is described as looking to the Father, so this ordering is no badge of superiority; even the Son receives His place within it willingly. To have a head is to belong, to be held, to be related rather than alone. The pattern dignifies everyone in it, for each is bound to another in love and answerable upward in trust.
1 Corinthians 11:3 in the Original Language
kephale (κεφαλή), 'head' -- the literal head of the body, used figuratively for one who is a source or holds a place of honor.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 11:3
What does 1 Corinthians 11:3 mean?
Paul lays out an ordered series of relationships, each one looking to another as its head.