10 Keys to Understanding “Head” in Ephesians and 1 Corinthians
Here are 10 factors or keys that I try to keep in mind when explaining what “head” means in Ephesians and 1 Corinthians.
June 12, 2025
5 Comments
Category: Mutuality in Marriage
Paul’s Use of Kephalē (“Head”) in Ephesians
There’s a consistent theme in how Paul used the word “head” in Ephesians. He used it 3X in head-body imagery signifying fullness, unity, etc.
March 29, 2025
11 Comments
5 Flawed Ideas About “Headship” in Marriage
I repond to 5 flawed ideas I often hear as interpretations of Ephesians 5:22-33, including the “husband as decision-maker” idea.
July 21, 2024
26 Comments
(2) Submission & the Saviour in Ephesians 5
In part 2, I look at Christ’s role as the “Saviour of the body” and what this means for Paul’s words to wives in Ephesians 5:22-24 and to husbands in Ephesians 5:25ff.
May 5, 2024
17 Comments
(1) Submission & the Saviour in Ephesians 5
Here’s what I’ve been learning about the Greek “submit” verb. I also look at what it meant to Paul that Jesus is the “Saviour of the body.”
April 26, 2024
17 Comments
Submission in 1 Corinthians 15:28 and in Marriage
The Son’s submission to the Father in 1 Cor. 15:28 does not inform our understanding of submission in marriage in the way some people argue. Here’s why.
September 14, 2023
17 Comments
Revisiting Eshet Chayil (“Woman of Valour”)
I look at the Hebrew word chayil, used in Proverbs 31:10 for an eshet chayil, and at the Greek word andreia (“courageous”), used to describe some Bible and early Christian women.
September 7, 2023
14 Comments
Being an ezer is not a gender role
I look at how the word ezer is used in the Hebrew Bible, including how it is used in people’s names in the Bible. And I show that being an ezer is not an especially feminine role or obligation.
January 2, 2023
31 Comments
What does submission “in everything” mean?
I look at how Paul uses the phrase “in everything” in his letters and at what it means in, “wives submit to your husbands in everything.”
November 12, 2022
28 Comments
A Close Look at Colossians 3:19 (Husbands)
Here I discuss Paul’s instructions to husbands in Col. 3:19. I look at this verse within the broader context of Colossians and explore what “bitter” means.
July 10, 2022
12 Comments
A Close Look at Colossians 3:18 (Wives)
Paul’s words to wives in Col. 3:18 contain a phrase that doesn’t occur elsewhere in the New Testament. What does it mean to submit “as is fitting in the Lord”?
July 1, 2022
17 Comments
Mutual Submission in Ephesians 5:21 and in 1 Peter 5:5
Eph. 5:21 is one New Testament verse that encourages mutual submission. 1 Peter 5:5 is another. This post looks at the Greek grammar and vocabulary of 1 Peter 5:5.
May 3, 2020
19 Comments
Hyperbole and Divorce in the Sermon on the Mount
Jesus used hyperbole in his Sermon on the Mount, especially in Matt 5:17-48 and perhaps also in the phrase “makes her an adulterer.”
April 21, 2020
57 Comments
4 obscure passages sometimes used to diminish women
In this article, I look at 4 passages from the Hebrew Bible (Leviticus 27, Numbers 30, Ecclesiastes 7:28, Isaiah 3:12) which are sometimes used to diminish women.
October 23, 2019
48 Comments
“Must manage his own household well” (1 Tim. 3:4-5)
Does 1 Timothy 3:4a (“managing his own household well”) show that men, and not women, are to rule or manage their households? What was the role of the first church overseers and bishops?
June 23, 2018
35 Comments
Paul on Gender Roles in Ministry and Marriage
A few verses in Paul’s letters are frequently cited by Christians who exclude women from some ministries. Did Paul really restrict women in either ministry or marriage? This is part 3 of a series on gender roles in the Bible.
June 2, 2018
7 Comments
John Paul II on Mutual Submission in Marriage
The stance of the Roman Catholic Church in regards to mutual submission in marriage is much more egalitarian than the stance of many evangelicals.
April 7, 2018
6 Comments
A Gentle and Quiet Spirit is not just a Feminine Virtue
What do the New Testament and other early Christian and Jewish documents say about meekness and gentleness? (cf. 1 Peter 3:4)
October 8, 2017
18 Comments
A more beautiful picture than male headship and female submission
Is male headship and female submission the best way for husbands and wives who are in Christ to live by New Testament and New Creation principles?
July 22, 2017
18 Comments
Tertullian on Equality and Mutuality in Marriage
Tertullian wrote about equality and mutuality in marriage; he did not regard the household code in Ephesians as comprehensive or prescriptive.
September 4, 2016
15 Comments
Jesus on Divorce, Remarriage and Adultery
What is the context of Jesus’ words on divorce with the Pharisees? Did he teach that all second marriages, with a former spouse still living, are adulterous? Probably not.
May 24, 2016
40 Comments
The Responsibilities of Husbands in Ephesians 5
Do husbands have a particular responsibility for the spiritual growth of their wives? Will husbands one day present their wives to Jesus?
February 16, 2016
28 Comments
What does “weaker vessel” mean in 1 Peter 3:7?
What did Peter mean when he said a wife is a “weaker vessel”? This article considers how “weak” is used of women in ancient documents.
August 12, 2015
14 Comments
Ephesians 5:22-33 in a Nutshell
In what way (or ways) is the relationship between Jesus and the church a model for marriage? What does Paul mean in Ephesians 5:22-33?
June 21, 2015
42 Comments
Fear or Respect in Christian Marriage? (Eph 5:33 & 1 Pet 3:2)
In Ephesians 5:33 it says that a wife should respect (phobeō) her husband. What is the connection between respect & fear? Did Paul want wives to be afraid?
May 13, 2015
34 Comments
Wives, Mothers & Female Masters in NT Household Codes
When we read the NT household codes, we need to keep in mind that some “masters” were women. How does this affect our understanding of these passages?
March 31, 2015
39 Comments
Woman Created for Man (1 Cor. 11:9), in a Nutshell
How are we to understand “man was not created for woman, but woman for man”? Does 1 Corinthians 11:9 indicate that service or submission is the role of women and not men?
January 26, 2015
42 Comments
A wife has no authority of her own body? (1 Cor. 7:4)
What did Paul mean by “A wife/ husband does not have authority of her /his body” in 1 Cor. 7:4? This verse has been terribly misunderstood by some.
January 7, 2015
55 Comments
My Perspective of Christian Egalitarianism
Some Christians have a mistaken view of our mutuality, or equality, in Christ. In this post, I briefly explain my perspective of Christian Egalitarianism
October 20, 2014
52 Comments
“Workers at home” or “keepers at home” in Titus 2:5?
Titus 2:5 contains a Greek word usually translated as “workers at home,” but the King James Bible has “keepers at home.” Which is the correct? What did Paul mean?
September 23, 2014
24 Comments
Kenegdo: Is the woman subordinate, suitable, or similar to the man?
What does the Hebrew word “kenegdo” mean in Gen. 2:18 & 20? Was the woman made to be subordinate, suitable, or similar to the man?
August 1, 2014
54 Comments
Egalitarian Books and Resources on Christian Marriage
Here are 10+ books and resources on marriage written for engaged and married couples, and for marriage counsellors. They all have an egalitarian, or mutualist, perspective.
July 14, 2014
20 Comments
Distinct Roles in the Trinity and in Marriage? (John 5:18-30)
Does the Trinity model distinct roles and separate spheres? Is there hierarchy and subordination in the Divine?
July 10, 2014
18 Comments
Wifely Submission and Holy Kisses
Instructions for wifely submission and holy kisses are given in the NT five times each, but one concept is often emphasised while the other is usually ignored.
March 27, 2014
38 Comments
Likewise women . . . likewise husbands . . .
Ignoring or highlighting the word “likewise” makes a big difference in how we understand certain New Testament passages that affect women.
November 14, 2013
27 Comments
Mutual Submission is not a Myth
Dear Dr Grudem, mutual submission is not a myth. Submission is not always, or necessarily, to a person in authority (cf. Eph. 5:21–22).
October 18, 2013
20 Comments
The priority of wifely submission vs mutual submission
Wifely submission is never mentioned in the Old Testament or in the Gospels. It is mentioned, however, in a few of the later New Testament letters. Why is that?
August 29, 2013
18 Comments
How does Titus 2:4–5 apply today?
What are the timeless principles in Paul’s instruction in Titus 2:4-5? Why did he want the young wives at Crete to be workers (or keepers) at home?
June 11, 2013
56 Comments
What do Egalitarian Christian Marriages look like?
If you’re wondering how egalitarian Christian marriages work, reading some of these real-life stories from Christian couples is a great place to start.
February 12, 2013
No Comments
The Chiasm in 1 Corinthians 11:2–16
1 Corinthians 11:2-16 is a difficult passage to understand, but it makes more sense when read as a chiasm. What are Paul’s concerns and instructions here?
November 20, 2012
42 Comments
Plutarch and Paul on Husbands and Wives
While reading Plutarch’s “Advice to the Bride and Groom,” it struck me that some Christians sound like Plutarch (a 1st-century pagan author), rather than like Paul, in what they say about men and women and marriage.
November 13, 2012
4 Comments
The Complementarian Concept of the Created Order
Mary Kassian places a great deal of importance on the created order of man first, woman second, given in Genesis 2. Is she correct?
October 20, 2012
38 Comments
Giving the Church a Bad Name
Some Sydney Anglicans have caused a kerfuffle by bringing their pet doctrine of “wifely submission” into the public arena this week.
August 30, 2012
21 Comments
Women, Eve, and Deception
Are women more easily deceived than men? What does the Bible, including 1 Timothy 2:14, say about Eve and women and deception?
August 19, 2012
64 Comments
Submission in Christian Marriage
What does submission mean? What does the Bible say about submission in marriage? Is wifely submission relevant in our modern western societies?
August 14, 2012
20 Comments
Who is the “head”?
This is a critique of Mary Kassian’s article “Sex in the Shadowlands” in which she applies the word “head” to more than God, Jesus, and husbands.
August 11, 2012
10 Comments
God wants women to be happy in marriage
A woman recently told me that it was God’s will she suffer in her marriage. Today I read a verse that shows God wants women to be happy in marriage.
July 9, 2012
16 Comments
Mutuality in Marriage: 1 Corinthians 7
In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul deals with the subjects of sex, marriage, divorce, and singleness. Paul’s instructions here reveal an egalitarian ethos.
June 26, 2012
10 Comments
Leading Together in the Home
Leviticus 19:3 says “Every one of you shall reverence his mother and father …” I decided to search for other verses that also mention “mother” first. Here’s what I found.
June 19, 2012
12 Comments
Paul’s Main Point in Ephesians 5:22–33
Ephesians 5:22-33 is written as a chiasm with a highlighted point at the centre of the passage. We misinterpret this passage if we miss this main point.
April 30, 2012
91 Comments
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