Headship In The Church Of God

by F McCORMICK | Category: Headship And Lordship | Aug 1951

In bringing before the church of Cod in Corinth truth regarding the relative position of the man and the woman in the assembly, the apostle says: "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" (1 Corinthians 11.8). The recognition of headship is necessary to the order of the assembly, and is here set forth as a corrective to unsee'mly conduct on the part of the woman. We are aware of the growing prominence of women in almost every sphere of activity, including the ecclesiastical sphere in many denominations. Women have become prominent as leaders and preachers, and essay to take the place of men in council and leadership.

On our part we are concerned with what is proper to a church of God, and we must be guided in this matter solely by the Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 11.3-16 is clear, headship must be recognized: "Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his Head" (that is, Christ, see verse 3). "But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoureth her head" (that is, the man, verse 3): "for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven." A man therefore ought not to have his head covered in the church, "Forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God." He should maintain and manifest in the sphere of divine rule his God-given place, reflecting his pristine glory in creation and grace as fitted by God to lead and rule.

The woman also should accept that place of subjection given to her in Genesis 3.16. Cod has not changed the relative position of man and woman in His kingdom to-day. The order of creation is confirmed in this and other scriptures. In creation the man is not without the woman, for the woman was created for the man, she was to be for him an helpmeet; the man was her head, "for the husband is the head of the wife" (Ephesians 5.28), and "the woman is the glory of the man."

In the church this fact was to be recognized, and "For this cause ought the woman to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels" (1 Corinthians 11.10).

We have before referred to the important fact that Christ is "the Head of all principality and power." The angelic hosts in heaven acknowledge His Headship and authority, taking their place under His authority according to the divine arrangement of heavenly order. It seems implied that, in the place where His will is to be done on earth, the woman likewise should acknowledge the headship of the man, taking her place in the assembly with a sign of authority on her head, her head covered, because it is the will of heaven, and token of subjection. The apostle appeals to the example of a higher order of beings, engaged in heavenly service, in perfect order accomplishing the will of Cod. "Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth." The woman in the assembly who prays or prophesies, as part of a praying and prophesying company, with her head uncovered or her hair cut short, dishonours her head (the man). It is tantamount, to clai~ing a place of equality with, or even authority over, the man. The teaching of Scripture is clear-" I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness" (1 Timothy 2.12). For a woman to appear publicly in the church unveiled or shorn is, in fact, to throw off the tokens of her subjection, and thus the man is dishonoured, and God's order in the assembly denied.

This is an important matter, for man is the responsible agent to speak and act for Cod publicly in the church. The woman, however, should be a true helper of the man in spiritual things in her own sphere. "Howbeit neither is the woman without the man, nor the man without the woman, in the Lord." There should therefore be a recognition of the correct scriptural order relative to the place of the man and the woman in the assembly, and the willing, harmonious, working together of each in their own spheres to the glory of God. The woman has a tremendous responsibility in the assembly of Cod. By her apparel, demeanour and subjection she can adorn the doctrine of Cod our Saviour in all things. Much, very much, of spiritual power, or weakness, may be traced to the attitude and activities of sisters, and we gratefully acknowledge the tremendous help sisters have been in the churches of Cod. Nevertheless, we are not ignorant of the devices of the adversary to rob us of such spiritual power.

Is it not possible that the appeal of feminine vanity may find, perchance, some yielding to what may be called fashionable hair styles? Is it not a modern trend to cut the hair as far as one almost dare in order to turn up the ends in some particular way? With all due respect, we would seek to encourage our sisters to aim at nothing short of the divine standard:

"Judge ye yourselves: is it seemly that a woman pray unto God unveiled? Doth not nature itself teach you .... if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given her for a covering" (1 Corinthians 11.13,15).

The law of creation should teach us; the woman's hair is natural, and is given her by God for a covering. Dare any who are so endowed appear before God unashamed, without that covering, or unveiled? Row grieving to the Holy Spirit when God's word is set aside; and consider what disastrous results to personal and assembly testimony may ensue if scriptural teaching regarding this matter be ignored! Finally:

"If any man seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God" (1 Corinthians 11. 16). Let us therefore give heed to this wholesome teaching in all its aspects and seek to glorify our glorious Read while here in mortal body, for soon we shall "all be made manifest before the judgement seat of Christ; that each may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done,' whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5.10).

F McCORMICK | Aug 1951
Headship And Lordship