Authority Within the Home

16. What requirement for harmonious family life is stated at 1 Corinthians 11:3?

¹⁶ The family circle is another area in which respect for authority can make for peaceful relations. Too often such a wholesome respect is lacking, resulting in the breakdown of family relations and often the breakup of the household. What can be done to improve the situation? The principle of headship, as set out at 1 Corinthians 11:3, holds the answer: “The head of every man is the Christ; in turn the head of a woman is the man; in turn the head of the Christ is God.”

17. (a) As to headship, what is the man’s position? (b) What fine example as to husbandly headship did Christ set?

¹⁷ Notice that this statement of Jehovah’s arrangement does not point first to man’s headship. Rather, it draws attention to the fact that there is someone to whom the man should be looking for direction, someone whose example he should be following. That someone is Jesus Christ. He is the head of man. And in his dealings with his congregation, which is likened to a bride, Christ demonstrated the way to make a success of husbandly headship. His fine example stirred a willing response in his followers. When he took the lead, instead of being a boss, harsh and demanding toward his followers, Jesus was “mild-​tempered and lowly in heart,” so that they found refreshment for their souls. (Matthew 11:28-30) Did he belittle them for their shortcomings? On the contrary, he lovingly counseled them and even laid down his life to cleanse them of sins. (Ephesians 5:25-30) What a blessing to any household to have a man who sincerely endeavors to follow that example!

18. (a) In what ways can a wife show that she respects the authority of her husband? (b) How are children to show respect for their parents, and why?

¹⁸ When there is such headship in the home, it is not difficult for a woman to look up to her husband. And obedience comes more readily from the children.

20, 21. (a) How does the Bible show that the authority of a husband and of parents is not absolute? (b) So, with what decision may a Christian wife or believing children be faced, and what should motivate them?

²⁰ Keep in mind that the entire framework of family authority originates with God. Thus men are to be in subjection to Christ, wives to their husbands “as it is becoming in the Lord,” and children to their parents “for this is well-​pleasing in the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:3) So God cannot be left out of account, can he? This means that the authority of a husband over his wife, and of parents over their children, is a relative one. That is, the Christian mate and children are subject to God and Christ first, obeying their counsel. To some unbelieving mates or parents that idea might at first be displeasing. But really it works for their good, because it will help to make the believing mate and children more dependable and respectful.