Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Headship?

7 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Headship in the Bible

What does the Bible say about headship? Browse 10 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.

7
Total Verses
1
Old Testament
6
New Testament

Top 7 Verses About Headship

  1. 1
    Genesis 2:24
    Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Galatians 3:28
    There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Ephesians 5:21
    Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Ephesians 5:22
    Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
    KJV
  5. 5
    Ephesians 5:23
    For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
    KJV
  6. 6
    Ephesians 5:25
    Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
    KJV
  7. 7
    Hebrews 13:17
    Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. have: or, guide
    KJV

Subtopics of Headship

spiritual headship

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Headship? (1 Verses)

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Headship? (6 Verses)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. have: or, guide

How to Study What the Bible Says About Headship

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about headship. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about headship and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about headship is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on headship needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about headship with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about headship, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Headship?

You have studied 7 verses about headship. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about headship?
What does the Bible say about headship? Browse 10 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme. The Bible contains 7 key verses about headship spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about headship are there?
There are 7 key Bible verses about headship compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about headship?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about headship is Genesis 2:24 — "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Where in the Bible does it talk about headship?
Headship is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 7 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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