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Sep 15, 2025 06:00am

Equal Yet Submissive—What This Misunderstood Passage Really Means

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What do you do when you’re driving down the road and an escorted funeral procession approaches?

Or what do you do when you’re wearing a baseball cap at the game and it’s time for the national anthem?

What do you do if someone extends their hand to you when they meet you?

It might depend on what culture you’re in. In every culture, there are normal behaviors that show respect. Whether it’s to a family who has lost a loved one, the flag and those who have fought for what it represents, or to the person you are meeting. To not follow the cultural norm would be a sign of disrespect.

As we look at the Bible, we should always take into account who the message is written to, the context prompting it and the culture surrounding it.

Let’s look at 1 Corinthians 11:2–16:

“I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.
3 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.
4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.
5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.
6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.
7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.
8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;
9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.
10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.
12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.
13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?
14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,
15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.
16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.”

Paul is writing to the believers in Corinth. Remember what the rest of the letter has been about—division in the church, with questions and confusion fueled by the pagan society and so-called religions surrounding them.

As we read this passage, we should remember the context. And the culture.

Was Paul saying that women were to wear head coverings in worship? Does that mean we should wear them today? And was Paul saying that men and women weren’t equal, but that men were greater than women?

There’s actually three things being discussed simultaneously in this passage:
1. The identity and roles God designed for men, women, and the church
2. Respect in their culture
3. Submission

God created man in His own image. Man is made in the image of Christ. Therefore, Christ is the head of man. Woman was made from man, therefore man is the head of woman. This does not mean a woman is inferior to man, just as Christ wasn’t inferior to God.

It does mean that they are created differently and are designed and equipped for certain roles. Together, while still being unique, they can accomplish a great deal for the Lord. Within the church and within their home.

Paul speaks about the length of hair or covering on a man’s or woman’s head. Why? Because in the pagan culture in Corinth, long hair on a man was associated with male prostitution. And the same for women with short hair.

In the Jewish church, women wore coverings over their heads as a sign of respect for their husbands and their authority. To not wear one gave the appearance of a “loose or promiscuous” woman. The Gentile converts did not wear head coverings. Remember, Paul’s focus is on unity in the church. He instructed the women in Corinth that it would be better to wear a head covering in worship rather than not for the unity of the church.

And finally, this passage comes back to one main principle: submission.

Now, let’s get clear on what submission is not. It is not surrender or a position of being beneath someone else. Submission is about cooperation, collaboration, and mutual commitment. It’s a choice. God’s design for marriage is that women and men submit to one another. It does not mean one bows down to another, but that they put the other’s needs above their own. They honor them. They respect them.

Equal, yet submissive—like Christ and the Father. They are equal, yet Christ was submissive to do the will of the Father by coming to this world, becoming a man, and dying for the sins of mankind. This was the plan of salvation. He honored God by submitting to Him.

Let’s talk about worship today. … For most of western culture, a man takes off his hat when he goes into the church, stands for the national anthem or prays. It’s a cultural sign of respect.

Does God condemn someone for wearing a hat in church or for a woman having short hair or even being bald? Absolutely not. God is more interested in someone’s heart than in their outward appearance. But the attitude and motives behind their actions reveals the truth that’s within their heart.

Colossians 3:15-17:

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

What’s our motive? What is the attitude behind the action? Are we doing something to spite someone else or the culture? Are we coming at a situation or issue with a rebellious spirit? How will our actions and attitude affect others that need to know Christ?

You know our hearts Lord. Show us if there is anything that needs to change within us to be more like you. Help us to submit to your will and not our own desires and agenda. Lead us Lord so that we may boldly share your name with those who need you. And let us take hold of your strength and courage to disciple them, to show them what it means to follow you. Amen!

Want to know more about discipleship? Go to follow.Lifeword.org or follow.lifeword.org/spanish.