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The difference between rank in office and subjection is sometimes confused by folks.
Christ’s Church Has Structure and Hierarchy
The universal church (all the Christians in the whole world) is composed of local congregations (or assemblies). Each local church is autonomous (meaning self-governing or not controlled by the others).
Each local congregation is to have its elders, sometimes referred to as pastors or shepherds that oversee the flock or the members.
The Authority of Elders is Limited
Members of a congregation only answer to the elders of their specific congregation or assembly.
For example, the elders in the church in Denton, Texas carry the rank or hold the office. However, these elders have no oversight or authority over Christians at the church in Little Rock, Arkansas.
A woman is to be subject to the elders of her local church. She is not in subjection to the elders of other churches. Of course, this is also true for men.
In just a moment, we will show how this same principle works with 1 Corinthians 11:2.
All Elders Deserve Honor Due to the Office
We all owe honor to elders (even in churches that we do not attend) because they hold the office or position.
I hold a rank underneath all the men who serve as elders.
They rank over me in status. This is not a slight to me or an insult.
Simply said, I acknowledge their appointed rank, office, and place in God’s kingdom.
No Obligation to Submit to Elders in Other Places
Although I hold a lower rank, I have no obligation whatsoever to submit to elders in these other churches. I am not under their watch or oversight. Thus, I do not subject myself to their rule.
Male Headship Does Not Put Every Woman in Subjection to Every Man
The status or rank of a woman to men in general works in precisely the same manner as elders.
All men rank higher than all women. It’s God’s design!
Fight and oppose it all you want – it’s still God’s order and hierarchy.
Just like me, not being subject to elders in other churches, a woman is not subject to every man due to the rank God has given to her.
Why does an elder in a local congregation have authority over a member of their specific congregation?
Because the individual places themselves under the supervision of these men.
There are numerous churches all around me. None of the elders in the churches try to exert any authority over me. To do so would exceed the limited authority God has given to them.
A Woman Is Not Subject to Men in General
1 Corinthians 11:2 is about rank and ultimately involves submission to God (and the structure He set up).
Subjection to a given eldership involves the voluntary acceptance of God’s structure for the church. Likewise, the submission of a wife in marriage works the same way.
A wife is subject to her husband in everything because she accepts God’s plan for the home.
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.” Ephesians 5:22-24
The wife chose to marry (and therefore placed herself under the authority of her husband). This was a decision that she made. No different than the choice of a man electing to join himself to a local congregation, thus becoming subject to the elders at that church.
The rank of being a man does not grant authority over every woman any more than the rank of elder grants authority over every man who is not an elder.
In short, rank and submission are distinct concepts.
We must avoid the tendency of others to confuse the discussion with an emotional attack that 1 Corinthians 11:2 grants all men control over all women.
Jesus is the Head of all Men
Christ is the head of all men.
End of story!
He, by the appointment of the Father, has been given a role or office higher than any man.
Are all men subject to Christ?
No, the vast majority of men in the world refuse to be subject to God’s appointed King. They reject God’s hierarchy.
Does this change the rank and file order that God established?
Is Christ no longer eligible to hold His position because men rebel (refusing submission)?
Nope! Christ continues to hold the position of King over!
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