35 Bible Verses about Headship

What shall we say therefore? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." Well then, it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God who sheweth mercy.read more.
For the scripture saith to Pharaoh, "That for this very end have I raised thee up, that I might display in thee my power, and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth." Well then, he hath mercy on whom he will, but whom he will he hardeneth. Wilt thou then say to me, Why yet doth he blame us? Who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that disputest against God? Shall the thing fashioned say to him that fashioned it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, from the same mass to make one vessel for an honourable use, and another for a dishonourable?

Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, and the Father; when he shall have destroyed every dominion and every authority and power. For he must reign, until he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy shall be destroyed, death.read more.
For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, that all things are put under him, it is evident that there is an exception of him, who subjected all things to him. But when he shall have put all things under him, then also the Son himself shall be subjected to him who put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

But I desire you to take notice that the head of every man is Christ; but the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.

who being in the form of God counted it no usurpation to claim equality with God:

For I came down from heaven, not with a view to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.

And going a little farther, he fell on his face, praying, and saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

saying, Father, if thou wilt, remove this cup from me! nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.

who being in the form of God counted it no usurpation to claim equality with God: but emptied himself, assuming the form of a servant, made after the similitude of mortal men; and found in fashion as man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even to the death of the cross.

who in the days of his flesh, with strong crying and tears, having offered up prayers and supplications to him who was able to save him from death, and being heard for his reverential awe, though he was a son, he learned obedience from the things which he suffered:

Who is the image of the invisible God, the prime author of all creation: for by him were all things created, celestial and terrestrial, visible or invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers, all were created by him, and for him: and he is before all, and by him all things subsist.

in these last days hath spoken to us by a Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the splendour of his glory, and the very impress of his substance, and upholding all things with his powerful word, by himself having effected the cleansing of our sins, he sat down at the right hand of Majesty on high; made as much superior to the angels, as he hath inherited a more distinguished name than they.

which he displayed in Christ when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly regions, far above all principality, and authority, and power, 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 hath appointed him head over all to the church,

Who is the image of the invisible God, the prime author of all creation: for by him were all things created, celestial and terrestrial, visible or invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers, all were created by him, and for him: and he is before all, and by him all things subsist.read more.
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first begotten from the dead, that he might be in all things pre-eminent.

and ye are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power:

thou hast subjected all things under his feet." Now in subjecting all things to him, he left nothing unsubjected to him; but at present we see not yet all things subjected to him.

but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, who is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body nicely joined together, and firmly connected by every joint of exact proportion, according to the energy exerted in the measure of every several part, causeth the increase of the body unto the edification of itself in love.

For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and is himself the saviour of the body.

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first begotten from the dead, that he might be in all things pre-eminent.

and not firmly attached to the head, from which the whole body, by joints and ligaments, harmoniously adjusted and closely compacted, increaseth with increase from God.

having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in himself; at the dispensation of the fulness of the appointed times to gather together under one head all things in Christ, whether they be things in heaven or things in earth, in him:

For he must reign, until he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy shall be destroyed, death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, that all things are put under him, it is evident that there is an exception of him, who subjected all things to him.

And I saw heaven opened, and lo a white horse; and he that sat upon it, is called Faithful and True, and with righteousness doth he judge and make war. And his eyes were as a flame of fire, and upon his head were many diadems; and he hath a name inscribed which no man knoweth but himself. And he was clothed in a garment dipt in blood, and his name is styled the word of God.read more.
And the hosts which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth proceeded a sharp sword, that therewith he may smite the heathen and he will rule them with an iron sceptre: and he will tread the wine-press of the fury and of the wrath of God Almighty. And he hath upon his vesture and upon his thigh this name written, king of kings, and lord of lords.

For he hath not subjected the future world, of which we are speaking, to the angels. But one in a certain passage testifieth, saying, "What is man, that thou rememberest him, or a son of man, that thou regardest him?" "Thou hast made him for a little while lower than angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, and hast placed him over the works of thy hands:read more.
thou hast subjected all things under his feet." Now in subjecting all things to him, he left nothing unsubjected to him; but at present we see not yet all things subjected to him.

LET every soul be subject to the superior powers: for there is no power but from God; the existing powers are appointed by God. Wherefore he that sets himself against authority, resists the ordinance of God: and they who resist shall receive to themselves condemnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from it:read more.
for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, tremble! for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to inflict wrath on him that practises what is evil. Wherefore there is a necessity for being in subjection, not only for fear of wrath, but also for conscience sake. For on this account pay ye taxes also: for they are God's ministers, continually employed on this very service.

Be subject therefore to every human constitution for the Lord's sake; whether to a king as the supreme magistrate; or to governors, as sent by him for the punishment of wicked doers, but the praise of those who do well.

Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and is himself the saviour of the body. As then the church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

But I desire you to take notice that the head of every man is Christ; but the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, holding [a veil] over his head, dishonoureth his head; but every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled, dishonoureth her head; for it is one and the same thing, as if she were shaven.read more.
For if the woman be not veiled, let her hair be clipped: but if it would be scandalous for a woman to appear clipped or shaved, let her be veiled. For a man indeed ought not to veil his head, being the image and the glory of God; but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not from the woman, but the woman from the man. Also the man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man. Therefore ought the woman to retain upon her head [this badge of authority], because of the angels [of the churches]. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord. For as the woman was taken out of the man, so also is the man by the woman: but all things are of God. Judge among yourselves, is it decent for a woman to be praying to God without a covering? Does not even nature itself teach you, that if a man wear long flowing hair it is a dishonour to him? But if a woman let her hair flow, it is an ornament to her; for the hair was given her for a covering, But if any man mean to be contentious about it, we have no such custom, nor the churches of God.

Wives be subject to your own husbands, as is fit in the Lord.

LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if some obey not the word, by their wives' conduct without the word, they may be won over; being eye-witnesses of your chaste behaviour with timidity. Whose adorning let it not be that exterior one of braided locks, and golden trimmings, and dresses put on with nicety;read more.
but let it be the hidden man of the heart, with that incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God highly valuable. For so in times of old the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands; as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye are, if ye do well, and are not affrighted with any terror.

Now we entreat you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

Obey your presidents, and be subject to them: for they are vigilant for your souls, as being to render an account, that they may do it with joy, and not groaning: for that would be disadvantageous for you.

THE presbyters among you I exhort, who am a co-presbyter and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed: feed the flock of God which is among you, exercising your pastoral office not of necessity, but of choice, not for base gain, but with alacrity of mind; not as domineering over your allotted congregations, but as being examples of the flock.

being subject one to another in the fear of God.