tiro

Pinklight, 1 Cor. 11:3 is a chronological listing of events in which honor is given to the one who is pre-eminent in each one. This follows a theme in chap. 10 of not using one’s freedom as a Christian for selfish ends but rather seeking the benefit of others. It is followed by a discussion of women’s attire in public while preaching and praying. This highlights that a woman is free in Christ to use the gifts of the HS. It also highlights that when we are bestowed a gift to share we do so to benefit others not take honor to ourselves. Thus our attitude is one of humility. Paul does this in such a clever way that he commands respect and humility from the women first, but also indirectly toward the women at the same time. For the woman must have autonomy in order to yield to God’s Spirit (vs. 10). Nevertheless, neither men nor women can act totally independently of one another (a call for humility). In real life there is balance….. first woman came from and for the man, now all men will come from (and for… a mother) the woman. And finally, we are all to discern for ourselves (not bound by rules) for there are no such rules established in the church in general.

All of that to say, “the husband is the head of the wife”, needs to be considered contextually where ever it is. Different subject matter and meaning in 1 Cor. 11 than in Ephe. where the wife is to ‘consider’ her husband her head.