35 Bible Verses about Headship

What do we say then? is there injustice in God? God forbid. for he saith to Moses, "I will show favour to whom I will show favour, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." so that this is a matter not dependent on him that wills or runs, but on God, who shews mercy.read more.
for 'tis said in scripture to Pharaoh, "even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth." thus some he pursues with his favours, and abandons others to their obduracy, according as he thinks fit. But you will object, why does he then find fault? for "who can resist his will?" nay, but, O man, who art thou, to raise a dust against heaven? shall the pitcher say to him that formed it, "why hast thou made me thus?" is not the potter the master of his own clay, of the same mass to make one vessel for use and ornament, and another for a meaner purpose?

and then will be the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God even the father; after having abolished all rule, and all authority, and power. for he must reign, "till God has cast all his enemies under his feet." the last enemy that shall be destroyed, is death.read more.
for he hath subjected all things to him. but when it is said all things are subjected, it is plain that he is to be excepted, who did subject all things to him. and when all things shall be reduced under subjection to him, then shall the son also himself be subject to him that put all things under his subjection, that God may be all in all.

but I would have you take notice, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the wife, is the man; and the head of Christ, is God.

who tho' he was the image of God, did not affect to appear with divine majesty, but divested himself thereof,

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

Then advancing a little further, he fell prostrate in prayer, and said, "O my father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not mine, but thy will be done."

saying, father, all things are possible to thee, take away this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.

he pray'd in these words, father, "O that you would divert this cup from me! nevertheless not my will, but thine be done."

who tho' he was the image of God, did not affect to appear with divine majesty, but divested himself thereof, by assuming the form of a servant: being made in the likeness of men, and his whole exterior showing nothing more than a meer man, he abased himself, and carried his submission so far as to die, even the death of the cross.

this was Jesus, who while he was in a mortal body, having offered up prayers and supplications, with strong cries, and with tears, to him that was able to save him from that death, was heard so as to be delivered from his fear; for tho' he was the son of God, yet he found by his own sufferings what it was to obey,

he is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of the whole creation. for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are on earth, both visible and invisible, the thrones, and the sovereigntys, the principalitys, and the powers: all were created by him, and for him: he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

whom he hath constituted heir of all things, by whom also be made the world. who being the radiation of his glory, and the imprest image of his substance, and governing all things by his powerful command, after having himself made expiation for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the divine majesty in the highest heavens. He is so much superiour to the angels, as the authority he possesses is more excellent than theirs.

which he exerted in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at the head of his heavenly kingdom, far above all the principalities, all the powers, all the potentates, all the dominations, and whatever order can be named, not only in this age, but also in the age to come: for he has subjected all things to him, and constituted him supreme head of the church,

he is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of the whole creation. for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are on earth, both visible and invisible, the thrones, and the sovereigntys, the principalitys, and the powers: all were created by him, and for him: he is before all things, and by him all things consist.read more.
he himself is the head of the church, which is his body. he is the prince, the first-born from the dead, that in all things he might be chief.

and ye are filled by him, who is the chief of all principality and power:

thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet." now since he has put all in subjection to him, he left nothing that is not subjected to him. however we do not see as yet that all things are put under him.

but being sincere in mutual love, may be entirely united to Christ, who is the head: from which the whole body fitly framed, and compacted by the entire adherence and contribution of every part performing its respective function, increases and improves itself by the mutual concern of the parts.

for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body.

he himself is the head of the church, which is his body. he is the prince, the first-born from the dead, that in all things he might be chief.

not adhering to the head, from which all the parts of the body derive its nutrition, and being firmly united together by its joints and ligaments, receives a divine increase.

for he has discover'd to us the secret of his will, that out of his meer good pleasure, he had purposed in himself, when the full time of the dispensation was come, to reduce all things both in heaven and on earth, under one head in Christ.

for he must reign, "till God has cast all his enemies under his feet." the last enemy that shall be destroyed, is death. for he hath subjected all things to him. but when it is said all things are subjected, it is plain that he is to be excepted, who did subject all things to him.

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse appear'd; and he that sat upon him was called the faithful and the true: in righteousness he judges and makes war: his eyes were as a flame of fire, on his head were many crowns: and a name inscrib'd which no one comprehended, but himself: he had a vesture dipt in blood: and his name is called, the logos of God.read more.
and the armies of heaven followed him upon white horses, cloathed in fine linnen, white and clean. out of his mouth went a sharp sword, in order to smite the nations: for he shall rule them with an iron sceptre: and tread the wine-press of the fierce vengeance of almighty God. on the mantle about his thigh was this inscription, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

'Tis not therefore to the angels that he has subjected the gospel state of which we are treating. and this is attested by a certain writer, who says, "what is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visitest him? thou hast made him for a while lower than the angels; thou hast crown'd him with glory and honour, and hast set him over the works of thy hands:read more.
thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet." now since he has put all in subjection to him, he left nothing that is not subjected to him. however we do not see as yet that all things are put under him.

Be every one of you subject to the ruling powers. for every ruler holds of God: the rulers in being are constituted by God. so that he who opposes the ruler, disobeys the orders of God: and will be punished too for resisting, by those very powers. rulers are not a terror to virtue, but to vice. would you then live without any dread of the civil power? do what is right, and you shall have his commendation.read more.
for his administration is appointed by God for your good. but if you do wrong, you have reason to be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: he being the minister of God, to execute punishment upon malefactors. wherefore you ought to submit not only from an apprehension of punishment, but from a principle of conscience. for this is the reason why you also pay tribute, because under God, they are continually

and glorify God in the times of distress. be subject therefore, for the Lord's sake to every human establishment: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or to governors, as being deputed by him to punish those who do ill,

let married women be submissive to their husbands, out of regard to the Lord. for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body. as the church then is subordinate to Christ, so let women be to their husbands upon all occasions.

but I would have you take notice, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the wife, is the man; and the head of Christ, is God. every man who prays or prophesies having his head covered, dishonoureth him who is his head: but every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered, dishonoureth the man who is her head: for it is the same thing as if her head was shav'd.read more.
a woman may as well have the tonsure, as not wear her veil: the one is as indecent as the other. A man ought not to be veil'd: he has the honour of being invested with authority from God, and may glory in his priority to the woman. for the man was not taken from the woman: but the woman from the man. nor was the man copied from the woman: but the woman from the man. therefore the woman ought to be veil'd, out of regard to the angels. however, the man and the woman are equal with respect to the Lord. for as the woman was taken from the man, so man is born of the woman: and all are from God. Be you yourselves judges: is it decent for a woman to pray to God without a veil? does not settled custom show it is a shame for a man to have long hair? on the contrary, such is an ornament to a woman: because it was given her as a sort of veil. but if any man has a mind to be contentious, I answer, we have no such custom, nor any of the churches of God.

Dames, be submissive to your husbands, as becomes christians.

Let the married women be subservient to their husbands, that if they happen to disbelieve the gospel, they may be gain'd by the instructive conduct of their wives, by observing the religious chastity of their manners. let their ornament consist, not in what is external, in curling the hair, in appendages of gold, or finery of dress;read more.
but in the internal qualities of the mind, in that purity, in that mild and dispassionate temper, which is so acceptable to the divine being. the holy religious women of former times were thus adorned, and were submissive to their husbands. such was Sarah, who show'd her obeysance to Abraham, by stiling him her Lord: and you will be stiled her children, if you imitate her conduct, and are not to be terrified out of your virtue.

We entreat you, brethren, to respect those, who labour in the ministry, who by divine appointment preside over you, and instruct you.

Confide in your guides, and be respectful: that they who are vigilant, as being accountable for your souls, may discharge themselves with cheerfulness, and not with anxiety, which would be to your prejudice.

I address myself to you pastors, as being a pastor myself, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to partake of the glory, that shall hereafter be made manifest; to exhort you to feed the flock of God, which is among you: to take care of it, voluntarily, without reluctance, not from any view to sordid gain, but out of real affection; not to domineer over the laity, but to be examples for their imitation;

Be mutually obsequious with christian respect.