Hi Mike,

I just found your website recently (not by chance) and recognize the truth when I read it.  The one thing that I noticed though is that according to my research, you have an incorrect understanding of the meaning of the Greek word kephale.  It only has two meanings in Greek – it means a physical head or origin or source.  The English meaning of being in charge is not a meaning used in Greek.

I have copied an article that was on the internet.

“Revolution Key #2 We Must Change Our Thinking about the Word “Head”

“But,” some will say, “what about the passage that says the husband is the ‘head’ of the wife” (Ephesians 5:21-33)? First of all, we must remember that “head” is a translation of the Greek word kephale, which referred to the physical head on one’s shoulders. The problem is that we have assumed that, like the English word “head,” kephale was used metaphorically to mean “boss” or “leader.” This has been a false and serious assumption.

The Feb. 20, 1981 edition of Christianity Today carried a landmark article by seminary professor, Dr. Berkeley Mickelsen and his wife, Alvera, a professor of Journalism, in which they clearly documented that kephale did not carry such meanings in the ancient world. They demonstrated that, instead, it carried meanings of “origin” and “source.” Since the publication of their groundbreaking article, others have come forth to confirm the findings of the Michelsens. Dr. David Scholer, late Professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary, says that the information now available concerning the word kephale “supports a new understanding in Christ by which men and women are viewed in a mutually supportive, submissive relationship”. [4]

Paul obviously uses kephale in his discussion of marriage (Ephesians 5:21-33) to undermine the common ancient belief that men and women had evolved from different sources; the man from a superior source and woman from an inferior source. This pagan idea of the separate origins of men and women was a major reason for hostility between the sexes and the man’s justification for the subjugation of the woman.

If Paul had wanted to clearly establish the man as the leader in the marriage, he could have used a word such as archon, which means leader, boss, or ruler. His use of kephale shows that that was not his purpose. He obviously wanted to undermine pagan thinking about the sexes and affirm the Genesis account of creation that woman was taken out of the man with both having a common source. Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh, as the man says of the woman in Genesis 1:23.

In 5:23, Paul says that the husband is the “head” (kephale) of the wife in the same way that Christ is the “head” kephale of the Church. Noted New Testament scholar, F.F. Bruce, points that when Christ is spoken of as the kephale of the Church, it “suggests the vital union between Christ and the Church, sharers of a common life, which is his own risen life communicated to his people.” [5]

Kephale is, therefore, a word with connotations of intimacy and commitment. As the kephale of the Church, Christ loved (agape) the Church with a selfless love and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25). Husbands are to follow His example in this regard only, for kephale is never used of Christ when His lordship or mastery over the Church is in view.

It thus becomes obvious that Paul’s point in Ephesians 5:21-33 is not about who has authority over whom. His point is about commitment and intimacy in the marriage relationship. His point is about the wife leaving all others and joining herself to her husband; and the husband giving up his own life for the sake of his wife, something unheard of in the ancient world.”

K____

Hi K____,

Thank you for taking the time to share your studies with me. I cut this from the article you quoted:

“Husbands are to follow His example in this regard only, for kephale is never used of Christ when His lordship or mastery over the Church is in view.”

“Follow His example in this regard only”??? Am I to believe those words of men or these words of God:

1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Here are a couple of verses which make that entire statement manifestly false:

Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head (kephale) of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 

That is the word of God, and this is what you have given me to contradict the truth that a wife should be subject to her husband in everything:

“Revolution Key #2   We Must Change Our Thinking about the Word “Head”

“But,” some will say, “what about the passage that says the husband is the ‘head’ of the wife” (Ephesians 5:21-33)? First of all, we must remember that “head” is a translation of the Greek word kephale, which referred to the physical head on one’s shoulders. The problem is that we have assumed that, like the English word “head,” kephale was used metaphorically to mean “boss” or “leader.” This has been a false and serious assumption.

“The Feb. 20, 1981 edition of Christianity Today carried a landmark article by seminary professor, Dr. Berkeley Mickelsen and his wife, Alvera, a professor of Journalism, in which they clearly documented that kephale did not carry such meanings in the ancient world. They demonstrated that, instead, it carried meanings of “origin” and “source.” Since the publication of their groundbreaking article, others have come forth to confirm the findings of the Mickelsens. Dr. David Scholer, late Professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary, says that the information now available concerning the word kephale “supports a new understanding in Christ by which men and women are viewed in a mutually supportive, submissive relationship”.[4]”

This is nothing more than the fruit of the effects of the modern feminist movement upon the churches of this world, and upon the women in those churches who simply will not be subject to their husbands as unto Christ in anything.

That “landmark article by professor, Dr. Berkeley Mickelsen and his wife, Alvera, a professor of Journalism,” is not “Revolution Key #2″, rather what it really is, is simply ‘Rebellion Key #2” against the plain simple Word of God :

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

The very fact the above scripture tells wives to submit to their own husbands lets us know that husband and wife are not just joined as “origin” and “source”, but as head and submissive mate into one body, which each part fulfills the functions for which God has designed them.

Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

It is my prayer that you are sincerely seeking only the mind of Christ who is “subject unto God” just as wives are to be to their husbands:

1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head [kephale] of every man is Christ; and the head [kephale] of the woman is the man; and the head [kephale] of Christ is God.

1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject [Greek: hupotasso] unto him [God the Father] that put all things under [hupotasso] him [Christ], that God may be all in all.

The Greek word translated ‘be subject’, and ‘put… under’ here in 1Co 15:28 is pivotal to understanding the significance of the word ‘head’ translated from the Greek word ‘kephale‘. This Greek word translated as ‘subject unto Him’ here in 1Co 15:28 is the same word translated ‘subject unto Christ’ in Eph 5:24. Here is that word, and here is what that word means:

G5293
ὑποτάσσω
hupotassō
hoop-ot-as’-so

From G5259 and G5021; to subordinate; reflexively to obey: – be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.

Here now are all the places this word appears in the New Testament:

G5293
ὑποτάσσω
hupotassō

Total KJV Occurrences: 49

subject, 14
Luk_2:51, Luk_10:17, Luk_10:20, Rom_8:7, Rom_8:20, Rom_13:1, Rom_13:5, 1Co_14:32, 1Co_15:28, Eph_5:24, Tit_3:1, 1Pe_2:18, 1Pe_3:22, 1Pe_5:5

put, 9
1Co_15:27-28 (4), Eph_1:22, Heb_2:5, Heb_2:8 (3)

subjection, 6
Heb_2:5, Heb_12:8-9 (3), 1Pe_3:1, 1Pe_3:5

submit, 6
1Co_16:16, Eph_5:22, Col_3:18, Jam_4:7, 1Pe_2:13, 1Pe_5:5

under, 4
1Co_14:34, 1Co_15:27-28 (2), Heb_2:8

made, 2
Rom_8:20, 1Pe_3:22

obedient, 2
Tit_2:5, Tit_2:9

obedience, 1
1Co_14:34

subdue, 1
Phi_3:21

subdued, 1
1Co_15:28

subjected, 1
Rom_8:20

submitted, 1
Rom_10:3

submitting, 1
Eph_5:21

Here is one of these verses which describes quite well the author of this article you are quoting to me:

Rom 10:3  For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted [Greek: hupotassō – same word for what wives are to do to their husbands in Eph 5:22] themselves unto the righteousness of God.

When sincerely seeking to know the mind of God it is much better to read every entry for a word than to take the biased words of so-called scholars. That is true when seeking to know what is the mind of God concerning any word of scripture.

So look up and read all those entries and then write me back, and tell me “the information now available concerning the word kephale “supports a new understanding in Christ by which men and women are viewed in a mutually supportive, submissive relationship”.[4]”

It is true that a couple should be a “mutually supportive [and] submissive relationship”. But saying that does not deal with the subject of headship at all. There will always be times when a couple has differences of judgment. Should we buy the house?; Which house or car should we buy?; How do we discipline the children?; How do we handle our finances? etc. Many women are married to unbelieving husbands who have no interest in the Word of God, but are basically good men, and the same is true for men who are married to unbelieving wives. In every case the wife is to “be subject to their own husbands in all things”, except when a husband requires his wife to disobey God, in which case she must again, submit (hupotasso) to the scriptures:

Act 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

I am going to close by quoting one more of the verses which contain this Greek word, hupotasso, which demonstrates the absurdity of claiming the use by Paul of the word ‘kephale‘ for ‘head’ proves he was simply saying that husbands and wives should have a “mutually supportive relationship”.

Here is that verse:

Luk 10:17  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject [hupotasso] unto us through thy name.

Devils are no more ‘mutually supportive’ of Christ’s apostles than Dr. Berkeley Mickelsen and his wife, Alvera, are of the Word of God. This couple is speaking out of a carnal mind which “is not subject [hupotasso] unto the law of God neither can be”.

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject [Greek: hupotasso] to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 

So while it is true that Paul “could have used a word such as archon, which means leader, boss, or ruler”, it is manifestly untrue that “His use of kephale shows that that was not his purpose”. What absolute nonsense in light of how the devils are subject (Greek: hupotasso) unto Christ and in light of all the other entries for that word ‘hupotasso‘ in the New Testament.

It is my prayer the Lord will humble you to accept His Word over the carnal reasonings of some so-called experts who simply do not “tremble at [God’s] Word”, as I most definitely do, Lord willing.

Be subject to your husband, and enjoy and reap the benefits of obedience to the words of God.

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

If you  have not yet done so be sure to read: The Head of Christ Is God

In service to Christ and His Words,

Mike

Mike

Thank you for answering. I am just searching for the truth, and your website is very informative. I love how the spirit leads me in the search for truth (although in my case he loves to lead me to sites where I need to question everything and see how the scriptures can be distorted and used for man’s purposes). I can see from reading your website that that is all part of the journey that we are on – realizing that we have all of these sins and evil within our flesh. I have been studying Revelation for the past 3 years, and I have read more interpretations of this book than I ever knew existed. I am reading what you have written, and the truth is resonating within my spirit.

To quote a question from your teaching:

”To whom is the book of Revelation addressed?
Who is it who will give account for the death of Christ and of all the prophets? Will it be the Romans? Will it be the Jews? It is of utmost importance that we know who is to give an accounting of all these things if we ever hope to understand this book of signs and symbols. What does all of the evidence of scripture indicate? To answer that question we need to notice to whom this entire book of the revelation of Jesus Christ, is addressed? Here are those to whom this book is addressed. Here are those who are responsible for the blood of Abel, the persecutions of the seed of the woman, the selling of Joseph into slavery and for the death of our own Savior:”

I do find that looking at the word head as source does give an added dimension to the scripture as in Christ is the source of the church and that God is the source of Christ. The word “head” in English also has the meaning of “source” as in the headwaters of a river.

1Co 11:3 YLT: and I wish you to know that of every man the head is the Christ, and the head of a woman is the husband, and the head of Christ is God.

That very same website had a definition of hupotasso that I had questions about since their definition only “worked” with the scriptures they defined and not all scriptures containing it. However, they didn’t bother to answer my question about hupotasso in other scriptures.

I find it interesting that you quoted Isaiah 66:2 since that is a verse that I use in my prayers every day. It was a scripture given to me by the spirit while interceding. The context was that in addition to the armour of God we also need a humble and contrite spirit.

Isaiah 66:2 (NIV2011) Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.

I do not have a husband – I am a widow.

K____

Hi K____,

I am gratified that you were granted to consider the scriptures and that you were granted to place scripture above degrees bequeathed by men. The apostles of our Lord were considered to be “ignorant and unlearned” by the scholars of their day, but even those scholars had to “take notice they had been with Jesus”.

I am also happy that you are able to read and appreciate the revelation of Jesus Christ, and to see that it is addressed to you and me as what must be “read, heard, and kept” by all who are given eyes to see and ears to hear that verse of scripture, and all the following verses.

I am sorry to hear you are widowed, nevertheless you are still Christ’s bride, and He it was who inspired Paul’s words for us all to be subject to our husband as unto the Lord. So my advice is still applicable to you.

2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Your brother who is also the bride of Christ,

Mike