Jesus’ handpicked apostle, Paul, said a husband is the head of the wife (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23) We know that is true because that is what the Bible says. Our question is, “What was God’s purpose in making the husband the head of his wife?” Maybe the answer is not as easy as it sounds. A head has a tremendous responsibility. It sees, it hears, it speaks, it thinks. Some men take their position as head, to be cruel, insensitive, unloving, harsh—as a ruler or boss. When we study God’s word, we see readily that no person is greater than another. No one is less guilty of sin than another. No one is worth more than another. No matter what color your skin is, what language you speak, or where you live, you are equal to all others.
“You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This shows that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Now in Christ, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or free, male or female. You are all the same in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28)
A husband is not better than his wife—that was not what Paul was saying. When Paul said the husband is the head of his wife, he was giving more responsibility to the head. A husband’s role then is to see what is needed in his house. As head, he uses his ears to listen to his wife and children to understand their special needs. With his mouth he speaks words of teaching and encouragement. With his mind he thinks what he can do to make his home a better place. By his example and teaching, he leads his wife and family to please God. Some people want to diminish the role of a man. God gave the husband a huge role to oversee and manage all the family that God gave him, not because he is better or more qualified, but because God gave him that role. Husbands, take your role seriously. It is your duty and responsibility to be the kind of head we’ve described.