Does the Kephale “Head” Metaphor Mean Authority?
Some people abuse or misconstrue the concept of authority. Traditionalists claim that because the man or husband is referred to as the “head” of a woman or his wife means that he is “in charge” over her (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:23). They miss the whole point that husbands are commanded to love their wives sacrificially (Eph. 5.25). Husbands are not commanded to be in authority over their wives. Even the early Greek Church exegetes and theologians tell us that the “head” (kephale) metaphor means “source of life, origin,” not authority. Here are some examples: Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria (A.D. 376-444) commenting on 1 Cor. 11:3 defines the head metaphor as source: Thus we say that the kephaleo of every man is Christ, because he was excellently made through him. And the kephaleo of woman is man, because she was taken from his flesh. Likewise the kephaleo of Christ is God, because he is from him according to nature.[25] Theodore, Bishop of Mopsuestia in Cilicia (A.D. 350-428) interprets the me
Some people abuse or misconstrue the concept of authority. Traditionalists claim that because the man or husband is referred to as the “head” of a woman or his wife means that he is “in charge” over her (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:23). They miss the whole point that husbands are commanded to love their wives sacrificially (Eph. 5.25). Husbands are not commanded to be in authority over their wives. Even the early Greek Church exegetes and theologians tell us that the “head” (kephale) metaphor means “source of life, origin,” not authority. Here are some examples: Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria (A.D. 376-444) commenting on 1 Cor. 11:3 defines the head metaphor as source: Thus we say that the kephaleo of every man is Christ, because he was excellently made through him. And the kephaleo of woman is man, because she was taken from his flesh. Likewise the kephaleo of Christ is God, because he is from him according to nature.[25] Theodore, Bishop of Mopsuestia in Cilicia (A.D. 350-428) interprets the me
