1 Corinthians 11:3

1 Corinthians 11:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Context of 1 Corinthians 11:3

1Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ. 2Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and God is the head of Christ. 4Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head. 5Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved.

1 Corinthians 11:3 word by word

Θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς εἰδέναι ὅτι παντὸς ἀνδρὸς ἡ κεφαλὴ ὁ Χριστός ἐστιν, κεφαλὴ δὲ γυναικὸς ὁ ἀνήρ· κεφαλὴ δὲ τοῦ Χριστοῦ ὁ θεός.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• I would haveθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• youσύsu · youG4771
• knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• the headὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the headκεφαλήkephalē · headG2776
• of everyπᾶςpas · allG3956
• manἀνήρanēr · manG435
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• of the womanγυνήgunē · woman: wifeG1135
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 11:3

• Ephesians 1:22And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church,
• Ephesians 4:15But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head — Christ.
• Ephesians 5:23because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body.
• Philippians 2:10so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth —
• Colossians 1:18He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.
• Colossians 2:10and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
• Genesis 3:16He said to the woman: I will intensify your labor pains; you will bear children with painful effort. Your desire will be for your husband, yet he will rule over you.
• Ephesians 5:22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord,
• Colossians 3:18Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
• 1 Timothy 2:11A woman is to learn quietly with full submission.
• 1 Peter 3:1In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by the way their wives live
• 1 Corinthians 3:23and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
• 1 Corinthians 15:27For God has put everything under his feet. Now when it says “everything” is put under him, it is obvious that he who puts everything under him is the exception.
• Isaiah 49:3He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
• Isaiah 52:13See, my servant will be successful; he will be raised and lifted up and greatly exalted.
• Isaiah 55:4Since I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples,

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 11:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3The 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3But 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2-16Verses 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 subject to man, because made for…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God: The word head serves as a metaphor for either source or authority. The immediate context and Paul's overall teaching suggest that head means authority in this context (see Genesis 3:16; Ephesians 5:21–23; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. 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…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 11:3

• Church
• Family
• Husband
• Jesus Continued
• Wife
• Women

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• God
• Christ, Messiah
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Comely
• Cover
• Cup
• Custom
• Guilty
• Hear

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings