1 Corinthians 11 · Verse 3

1 Corinthians 11:3

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 11:3, King James Version

1 Corinthians 11:3 in other translations

BSBBut I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
WEBBut I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
ASVBut 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.
YLTand I wish you to know that of every man the head is the Christ, and the head of a woman is the husband, and the head of Christ is God.
DARBYBut I wish you to know that the Christ is the head of every man, but woman's head is the man, and the Christ's head God.
BBEBut it is important for you to keep this fact in mind, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.
WebsterBut 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.

What does 1 Corinthians 11:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. The Corinthian women, on the ground of the abolition of distinction of sexes in Christ, claimed equality with the male sex, and, overstepping the bounds of propriety, came forward to pray and prophesy without the customary head-covering of females. The Gospel, doubtless, did raise women from the degradation in which they had been sunk, especially in the East. Yet, while on a level with males as to the offer of, and standing in grace (Ga 3:28), their subjection in point of order, modesty, and seemliness, is to be maintained. Paul reproves here their unseemliness as to dress: in 1Co 14:34, as to the retiring modesty in public which becomes them. He grounds his reproof here on the subjection of woman to man in the order of creation. the head--an appropriate expression, when he is about to treat of woman's appropriate headdress in public. of every man ... Christ--(Ep 5:23). of ... woman ... man--(1Co 11:8; Ge 3:16; 1Ti 2:11, 12; 1Pe 3:1, 5, 6). head of Christ is God--(1Co 3:23; 15:27, 28; Lu 3:22, 38; Joh 14:28; 20:17; Ep 3:9). "Jesus, therefore, must be of the same essence as God: for, since the man is the head of the woman, and since the head is of the same essence as the body, and God is the head of the Son, it follows the Son is of the same essence as the Father" [Chrysostom]. "The woman is of the essence of the man, and not made by the man; so, too, the Son is not made by the Father, but of the essence of the Father" [Theodoret, t. 3, p. 171].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. But I would have you know. "I invite your attention particularly to the following considerations, in order to form a correct opinion on this subject." Paul does not at once answer the inquiry, and determine what ought to be done; but he invites their attention to a series of remarks on the subject, which led them to draw the conclusion which he wished to establish. The phrase here is designed to call the attention to the subject, like that used so often in the New Testament, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

That the head, etc. The word head, in the Scriptures, is designed often to denote master, ruler, chief, The word Γρεεκ is often thus used in the Old Testament. See Nu 17:3, 25:15, De 28:13,44 Jud 10:18, 11:8,11, 1Sam 15:17, 2Sam 22:44. In the New Testament the word is used in the sense of lord, ruler, chief, in Eph 1:22, 4:15; Eph 5:23, Col 2:10. Here it means that Christ is the Ruler, Director, or Lord of the Christian man. This truth was to be regarded in all their feelings and arrangements, and was never to be forgotten. Every Christian should recollect the relation in which he stands to him, as one that is fitted to produce the strictest decorum, and a steady sense of subordination.

Of every man. Every Christian. All acknowledge Christ as their Ruler and Master. They are subject to him; and in all proper ways recognize their subordination to him.

And the head of the woman is the man. The sense is, she is subordinate to him; and in all circumstances-in her demeanour, her dress, her conversation, in public and in the family circle--should recognize her subordination to him. The particular thing here referred to is, that if the woman is inspired, and speaks or prays in public, she should by no means lay aside the usual and proper symbols of her subordination. The danger was, that those who were under the influence of inspiration would regard themselves as freed from the necessity of recognizing that, and would lay aside the veil, the usual and appropriate symbol of their occupying a rank inferior to the man. This was often done in the temples of the heathen deities by the priestesses, and it would appear also that it had been done by Christian females in the churches.

And the head of Christ is God. Christ, as Mediator, has consented to assume a subordinate rank, and to recognize God the Father as superior in office. Hence he was obedient in all things as a Son; he submitted to the arrangement required in redemption; he always recognized his subordinate rank as Mediator, and always regarded God as the Supreme Ruler, even in the matter of redemption. The sense is, that Christ, throughout his entire work, regarded himself as occupying a subordinate station to the Father; and that it was proper from his example to recognize the propriety of rank and station everywhere.

(d) "head of every man" Eph 5:23 (e) "Christ" Gen 3:16, 1Pet 3:1,5,6 (f) "the man" Jn 14:28, 1Cor 15:27,28

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 The head of every man is Christ - The apostle is speaking particularly of Christianity and its ordinances: Christ is the Head or Author of this religion; and is the creator, preserver, and Lord of every man. The man also is the lord or head of the woman; and the Head or Lord of Christ, as Mediator between God and man, is God the Father. Here is the order - God sends his Son Jesus Christ to redeem man; Christ comes and lays down his life for the world; every man who receives Christianity confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father; and every believing woman will acknowledge, according to Gen 3:16, that God has placed her in a dependence on and subjection to the man. So far there is no difficulty in this passage.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Here begin particulars respecting the public assemblies, ch. 1Co 14. In the abundance of spiritual gifts bestowed on the Corinthians, some abuses had crept in; but as Christ did the will, and sought the honour of God, so the Christian should avow his subjection to Christ, doing his will and seeking his glory. We should, even in our dress and habit, avoid every thing that may dishonour Christ. The woman was made…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 →

1 Corinthians 11:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΘέλωThelōI wantG2309
δὲdehoweverG1161
ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771
εἰδέναιeidenaito know
ὅτιhotithatG3754
παντὸςpantosof everyG3956
ἀνδρὸςandrosmanG435
ἡhētheG3588
κεφαλὴkephalēheadG2776
ὁho<the>G3588
ΧριστόςChristosChristG5547
ἐστιν,estinis,G1510
κεφαλὴkephalē[the] headG2776
δὲdenowG1161
γυναικὸςgunaikosof [the] woman [is]G1135
ὁhotheG3588
ἀνήρ·anērman;G435
κεφαλὴkephalē[the] headG2776
δὲdenowG1161
ΧριστοῦChristouof ChristG5547
ὁho<the>G3588
θεός.¶theosGod.G2316

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 11:3

  • Genesis 3:16

    Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

  • Colossians 1:18

    And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:23

    And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

  • Colossians 3:18

    Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

  • Ephesians 4:15

    But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

  • Colossians 2:19

    And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

  • 1 Peter 3:5-6

    For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

  • Ephesians 5:22-24

    Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

  • Philippians 2:7-11

    But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; …

  • 1 Peter 3:1

    Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

  • 1 Timothy 2:11-12

    Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

  • Ephesians 1:20-23

    Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the head of every.
Eph 1:22,23; 4:15; 5:23; Php 2:10,11; Col 1:18; 2:10,19
and the head of the.
Ge 3:16; Eph 5:22,24; Col 3:18; 1Ti 2:11,12; 1Pe 3:1,5,6
and the head of Christ.
3:23; 15:27,28; Isa 49:3-6; 52:13; 55:4; 61:1-4; Mt 28:18
Joh 3:34-36; 5:20-30; 14:28; 17:2-5; Eph 1:20-22; Php 2:7-11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 11:2

    Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:3

    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 11:4

    Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 11

1 Corinthians 11:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mas quiero que sepáis, que Cristo es la cabeza de todo varón; y el varón es la cabeza de la mujer; y Dios la cabeza de Cristo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais je veux que vous sachiez que le chef de tout homme, c’est le Christ, et que le chef de la femme, c’est l’homme, et que le chef du Christ, c’est Dieu.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich will aber, daß ihr wisset, daß der Christus das Haupt eines jeden Mannes ist, des Weibes Haupt aber der Mann, des Christus Haupt aber Gott.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Volo autem vos scire quod omnis viri caput, Christus est: caput autem mulieris, vir: caput vero Christi, Deus.