According to the Bible, Jesus Christ is the head of the church. This truth is affirmed throughout the New Testament, especially in the writings of the apostle Paul. Let’s take a look at some of the key biblical passages that establish Christ’s headship over the church.
Ephesians 1:22-23
“And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22-23)
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul describes Christ’s exalted position as the one who rules over all creation. God the Father has put everything under Christ’s feet and given Him as head over all things to the church. The church is called Christ’s body, indicating His loving leadership as the head. Just as a physical body is controlled by the head, so Christ is the controlling, life-giving force over His body, the church.
Ephesians 4:15
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)
As Paul urges the Ephesians to mature in Christ, he again identifies Jesus as “the head.” As the head, Christ governs the growth and development of His body, the church. All ministry efforts in the church should align with Christ’s leadership and help people become more like Him.
Ephesians 5:23
“For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.” (Ephesians 5:23)
Paul uses the metaphor of marriage to illustrate Christ’s relationship with the church. A husband is called to lovingly lead and care for his wife, just as Jesus sacrificially leads and nurtures His people. This verse reiterates that the church is Christ’s body, and He is its Savior and head.
Colossians 1:18
“And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” (Colossians 1:18)
Writing to the Colossian church, Paul once again declares that Christ “is the head of the body, the church.” Not only that, Jesus holds the supreme position as the firstborn from the dead and is preeminent in everything. His headship means He is preeminent in and over the church.
Colossians 2:19
“…and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.” (Colossians 2:19)
Paul warns the Colossians about those who do not “hold fast” to Christ as the head of the body. The health and growth of the church depends on its connection to the head, Christ. Severed from Him, the church lacks the nourishment and growth that comes from God.
Other Supporting Verses
Several other verses also speak of Christ’s headship over the church:
- Romans 12:5 – “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:3 – “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 – Uses the metaphor of a physical body to describe Christ’s position as head of the church.
- Ephesians 5:25-27 – Connects Christ’s headship to His sacrificial love and care for the church as His bride.
- Philippians 2:9-11 – God the Father has highly exalted Christ and given Him the name above all names.
- Colossians 2:10 – “And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
What Christ’s Headship Means for the Church
The biblical teaching about Christ as head of the church has several important implications:
- Authority: As head, Christ has supreme authority over the church. His will, purposes, and desires direct the church.
- Leadership: Church leaders must follow Christ’s leading rather than seeking worldly methods. The church thrives when directed by its Head.
- Growth: Only through dependence on Christ can the church experience real spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
- Unity: Christ unifies the church under His loving lordship rather than allowing dissension and division.
- Purity: Staying under Christ’s headship keeps the church holy and protects its witness.
- Exaltation of Christ: Acting under Christ’s authority results in His exaltation rather than the exaltation of human leaders.
Jesus Christ, Not Human Leaders
The New Testament makes it abundantly clear that Jesus alone is Head of the church. While God gifts certain people as pastors, teachers, and leaders in the church (Ephesians 4:11), the church has only one Head. No human leader, whether a pastor, pope, or president, can claim the position that rightfully belongs to Christ alone.
Recognizing the true headship of Jesus Christ protects the church from abusive authoritarianism and the tendency to follow influential personalities. Submitting fully to the Head, who loved the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25), allows Christ’s beautiful bride to fulfill her purpose for the glory of God.
Headship and Marriage Roles
As mentioned earlier, Paul uses the metaphor of marriage to describe Christ’s relationship with the church. This has significance for roles within human marriages as well.
Just as Christ lovingly leads the church, men have the responsibility of humbly leading their wives (Ephesians 5:23). The wife then respects and submits to her husband’s care, while the husband sacrificially loves his wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:22-33).
At the same time, all Christians – male or female, married or single – have Christ alone as their ultimate head. He has authority over every believer. So while marriage creates a human leadership structure, it does not replace Christ’s headship over all.
Christ’s Headship in Eternity
The day is coming when Christ will present the church to Himself in splendor, “without spot or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5:27). His headship will continue for eternity as the church worships and glorifies Him as Lord of all (Philippians 2:9-11).
The concept of Jesus Christ as Head of the church permeates the New Testament. As the church submits to Him in all things, Christ’s kingdom advances and His people grow to maturity in Him. Recognizing the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ as the Head prevents the infiltration of worldly, humanistic leadership ideas that distort the biblical purposes of Christ’s church.
The church exists to exalt her head, Jesus Christ. By staying connected to Him, she fulfills God’s eternal plan “to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (Ephesians 1:10). To Christ alone be the glory in the church throughout all generations (Ephesians 3:21).