Lesson 55 Explore 2: Understanding Headship in the Congregation | Watchtower Study
STUDY ARTICLE 7
Understanding Headship in the Congregation
“The Christ is head of the congregation, he being a savior of this body.”-
(Ephesians 5.23: because a husband is head of his wife just as the Christ is head of the congregation, he being a savior of this body.)
PREVIEW
1. What is one reason why Jehovah’s family is united?
WE LOVE being part of Jehovah’s family. Why is our family so peaceful and united? One reason is that all of us do our best to respect the headship arrangement that Jehovah has put in place. In fact, the better we understand the headship arrangement, the more united we become.
2. What questions will we answer in this article?
2. In this article, we will consider the subject of headship as it applies to the congregation. Among other things, we will answer the following questions: What is the role of sisters? Is it true that every brother is the head of every sister? Do elders have the same type of authority over brothers and sisters as a family head has over his wife and children? First, let us consider how we should view sisters.
HOW SHOULD WE VIEW SISTERS?
3. How can we deepen our appreciation for the work that our sisters accomplish?
3. We appreciate our sisters who work hard to care for their family, to preach the good news, and to support the congregation. We can deepen our appreciation for them by considering the way that Jehovah and Jesus view them. We will also benefit from considering how the apostle Paul treated women.
4. How does the Bible indicate that Jehovah values women as well as men?
4. The Bible indicates that Jehovah values women as well as men. For instance, it reveals that in the first century, Jehovah gave holy spirit to women as well as to men and empowered them to perform miraculous works, such as speaking in different languages.
(Acts 2.1-4: Now while the day of the Festival of Pentecost was in progress, they were all together at the same place. Suddenly there was a noise from heaven, just like that of a rushing, stiff breeze, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And tongues as if of fire became visible to them and were distributed, and one came to rest on each one of them, and they all became filled with holy spirit and started to speak in different languages, just as the spirit enabled them to speak.)
(Acts 2.15-18: These people are, in fact, not drunk, as you suppose, for it is the third hour of the day. On the contrary, this is what was said through the prophet Joel: ‘“And in the last days,” God says, “I will pour out some of my spirit on every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams, and even on my male slaves and on my female slaves I will pour out some of my spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.)
They both have been anointed by holy spirit with the prospect of ruling with Christ.
(Galatians 3.26-29: You are all, in fact, sons of God through your faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. Moreover, if you belong to Christ, you are really Abraham’s offspring, heirs with reference to a promise.)
Women as well as men will receive the reward of everlasting life on earth.
(Revelation 7.9, 10: After this I saw, and look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands. And they keep shouting with a loud voice, saying: “Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.”)
(Revelation 7.13-15: In response one of the elders said to me: “These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one who knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. That is why they are before the throne of God, and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them.)
And both men and women are assigned to preach and teach the good news.
(Matthew 28.19, 20: Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”)
In fact, the book of Acts recognizes the work of a sister named Priscilla who, along with her husband, Aquila, helped to explain the truth more correctly to the well-educated man Apollos.-
(Acts 18.24-26: Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, arrived in Ephesus; he was an eloquent man who was well-versed in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of Jehovah, and aglow with the spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things about Jesus, but he was acquainted only with the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, and when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him into their company and explained the way of God more accurately to him.)
5. What does Luke 10:38, 39, 42 reveal about Jesus’ attitude toward women?
5. Jesus gave women honor and respect. He did not follow the custom of the Pharisees, who looked down on women and who would not even speak to them in public, let alone discuss the Scriptures with them. Instead, he included women in the deep spiritual discussions that he had with his other disciples.
Read Luke 10.38, 39: Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village. Here a woman named Martha received him as a guest in her house. She also had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and kept listening to what he was saying.
, 42.) He also allowed women to accompany him on his preaching tours. And Jesus gave them the privilege of announcing to the apostles that he had been raised from the dead.-
(Luke 8.1-3: Shortly afterward he traveled from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the Kingdom of God. And the Twelve were with him, as were certain women who had been cured of wicked spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s man in charge; Susanna; and many other women, who were ministering to them from their belongings.)
(John 20.16-18: Jesus said to her: “Mary!” On turning around, she said to him in Hebrew: “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher!”) Jesus said to her: “Stop clinging to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene came and brought the news to the disciples: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what he had said to her.)
6. How did the apostle Paul show that he respected women?
6. The apostle Paul specifically reminded Timothy to honor women. Paul told him to treat “older women as mothers” and to view “younger women as sisters.”
(1 Timothy 5.1, 2: Do not severely criticize an older man. On the contrary, appeal to him as a father, to younger men as brothers, to older women as mothers, to younger women as sisters, with all chasteness.)
Paul did much to help Timothy become a mature Christian, but he acknowledged that it was Timothy’s mother and grandmother who had first taught Timothy “the holy writings.”
(2 Timothy 1.5: For I recall your unhypocritical faith, which dwelled first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, but which I am confident is also in you.)
(2 Timothy 3.14, 15: You, however, continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe, knowing from whom you learned them and that from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.)
Paul specifically greeted sisters by name in his letter to the Romans. He not only noticed the work sisters did but also expressed appreciation for them as Christian ministers.-
(Romans 16.1-4: I am introducing to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a minister of the congregation that is in Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the holy ones and give her whatever help she may need, for she herself also proved to be a defender of many, including me. Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who have risked their own necks for me and to whom not only I but also all the congregations of the nations give thanks.)
(Romans 16.6: Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.)
(Romans 16.12: Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, women who are working hard in the Lord. Greet Persis, our beloved one, for she has worked hard in the Lord.)
(Philippians 4.3: Yes, I request you also, as a true fellow worker, to keep assisting these women who have striven side by side with me for the good news, along with Clement as well as the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.)
7. What questions will we now consider?
7. As the preceding paragraphs show, there is no Scriptural basis for thinking that sisters are inferior to brothers. Our loving and generous sisters are a real asset, and the elders rely on their help to promote peace and unity in the congregation. But some questions need answering. For instance: Why does Jehovah require a sister to wear a head covering on certain occasions? Since only brothers are appointed as elders and ministerial servants, does this imply that every brother is the head of every sister in the congregation?
IS EVERY BROTHER THE HEAD OF EVERY SISTER?
8. According to Ephesians 5:23, is every brother the head of every sister? Explain.
8. The short answer is no! A brother is not the head of all sisters in the congregation; Christ is.
Read Ephesians 5.23: because a husband is head of his wife just as the Christ is head of the congregation, he being a savior of this body.
In the family, the husband has authority over his wife. A baptized son is not the head of his mother.
(Ephesians 6.1, 2: Children, be obedient to your parents in union with the Lord, for this is righteous. “Honor your father and your mother” is the first command with a promise:)
And in the congregation, the elders have only limited authority over sisters and brothers.
(1 Thessalonians 5.12: Now we request you, brothers, to show respect for those who are working hard among you and presiding over you in the Lord and admonishing you;)
(Hebrews 13.17: Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over you as those who will render an account, so that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you.)
Single women who no longer live with their father and mother continue to respect their parents and the elders. However, like the men in the congregation, they have only one head, Jesus.
CAPTION: Single ones who no longer live with their parents are under Jesus’ headship (See paragraph 8)
9. Why do sisters at times need to wear a head covering?
9. It is true, however, that Jehovah has appointed men to take the lead in teaching and worship in the congregation, and he has not given women that same authority.
(1 Timothy 2.12: I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but she is to remain silent.)
Why? For the same reason that he has appointed Jesus as head of the man-to keep good order in his family. If because of circumstances a sister must fill a role that is normally cared for by a brother, then Jehovah requires that she wear a head covering.
(1 Corinthians 11.4-7: Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head shames his head; but every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered shames her head, for it is one and the same as if she were a woman with a shaved head. For if a woman does not cover herself, she should have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved, she should be covered. For a man should not have his head covered, as he is God’s image and glory, but the woman is man’s glory.)
Jehovah asks this of sisters, not to demean them, but to give them a way to show respect for the headship principle that he has put in place. With those facts in mind, let us now answer the question: How much authority do family heads and elders have?
When Should a Sister Wear a Head Covering?
To know if she should wear a head covering, a sister would need to answer these three questions:
1. Does the activity require that a sister pray publicly or teach from the Bible while a baptized brother is present?-
(1 Corinthians 11.4, 5: Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head shames his head; but every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered shames her head, for it is one and the same as if she were a woman with a shaved head.)
2. Even if a baptized male is not present, would this assignment normally be done by a baptized brother?-
(1 Timothy 2.11, 12: Let a woman learn in silence with full submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but she is to remain silent.)
(Hebrews 13.17: Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over you as those who will render an account, so that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you.)
3. If the sister is married, is her husband present while she publicly prays for others or teaches them from the Bible?-
(1 Corinthians 11.3: But I want you to know that the head of every man is the Christ; in turn, the head of a woman is the man; in turn, the head of the Christ is God.)
If the answer to any of those questions is yes, then a sister should wear a head covering. If the answer to all those questions is no, then she does not need to wear a head covering.
THE ROLES OF FAMILY HEADS AND ELDERS
10. Why might an elder be inclined to make rules for the congregation?
10. Elders love Christ, and they love the “sheep” whom Jehovah and Jesus have placed under their care.
(John 21.15-17: When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He replied to him: “Yes, Lord, you know I have affection for you.” He said to him: “Feed my lambs.” Again he said to him a second time: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He replied: “Yes, Lord, you know I have affection for you.” He said to him: “Shepherd my little sheep.” He said to him a third time: “Simon son of John, do you have affection for me?” Peter became grieved that he asked him the third time: “Do you have affection for me?” So he said to him: “Lord, you are aware of all things; you know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him: “Feed my little sheep.)
With good intentions, an elder might think of himself as a fatherlike head in the congregation. He may reason that if a family head has the right to make rules to protect his family, an elder can make rules that he hopes will protect God’s sheep. And some brothers and sisters may encourage elders to act as their spiritual head by asking them to make decisions for them. But do elders in the congregation and family heads have the same authority?
CAPTION: Elders care for the spiritual and emotional needs of the congregation. Jehovah has given them the responsibility to keep the congregation morally clean (See paragraphs 11-12)
11. How are the roles of family heads and elders similar?
11. The apostle Paul implied that there are some similarities between the role of a family head and that of an elder.
(1 Timothy 3.4, 5: a man presiding over his own household in a fine manner, having his children in subjection with all seriousness (for if any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he care for the congregation of God?),)
For example, Jehovah wants family members to obey the head of the family.
(Colossians 3.20: You children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.)
And he wants those in the congregation to obey the elders. Jehovah expects both family heads and elders to make sure that those under their care are spiritually healthy. Both also care for the emotional needs of those under their authority. And like good family heads, elders make sure that those under their care receive help in times of crisis.
(James 2.15-17: If any brothers or sisters are lacking clothing and enough food for the day, yet one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but you do not give them what they need for their body, of what benefit is it? So, too, faith by itself, without works, is dead.)
In addition, Jehovah expects elders and family heads to promote his standards and not to “go beyond the things that are written” in the Bible.-
(1 Corinthians 4.6: Now, brothers, these things I have applied to myself and Apollos for your good, that through us you may learn the rule: “Do not go beyond the things that are written,” so that you may not be puffed up with pride, favoring one against the other.)
CAPTION: Family heads have been given authority by Jehovah to take the lead in their family. Before making decisions, a loving family head will consult with his wife (See paragraph 13)
12-13. As indicated at Romans 7:2, how are the roles of family heads and elders different?
12. However, there are also significant differences between the role of an elder and the role of a family head. For instance, Jehovah has assigned the elders to act as judges, and he has given them the responsibility of removing unrepentant sinners from the congregation.-
(1 Corinthians 5.11-13: But now I am writing you to stop keeping company with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do you not judge those inside, while God judges those outside? “Remove the wicked person from among yourselves.”)
13. On the other hand, Jehovah has given family heads some authority that he has not given to elders. For instance, he has authorized a family head both to make and to enforce rules for his family.
Read Romans 7.2: For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is alive; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.
For example, a family head has the right to decide at what time his children should arrive home at night. He also has the authority to discipline his children if they fail to obey that rule.
(Ephesians 6.1: Children, be obedient to your parents in union with the Lord, for this is righteous.)
Of course, a loving family head consults with his wife before making rules in the household; after all, the two of them are “one flesh.” -
(Matthew 19.6: So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has yoked together, let no man put apart.”)
RESPECT CHRIST AS HEAD OF THE CONGREGATION
CAPTION: Jesus, under Jehovah’s headship, gives direction to the Christian congregation (See paragraph 14)
14. (a) In light of what is said at Mark 10:45, why is it fitting that Jehovah has appointed Jesus as head of the congregation? (b) What is the role of the Governing Body? (See the box “ The Role of the Governing Body.”)
14. By means of the ransom, Jehovah purchased the lives of each individual in the congregation and, potentially, of all humankind.
Read Mark 10.45: For even the Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his life as a ransom in exchange for many.”
Read Acts 20.28: Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.
; So it is fitting that he appointed Jesus, who gave his life as a ransom, as head of the congregation. As our head, Jesus has the authority to make and to enforce rules that govern the conduct of individuals, of families, and of the entire congregation.
(1 Corinthians 15.21, 22: For since death came through a man, resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive.)
But Jesus does more than just make rules. He feeds and cherishes each one of us.-
(Galatians 6.2: Go on carrying the burdens of one another, and in this way you will fulfill the law of the Christ.)
(Ephesians 5.29: for no man ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cherishes it, just as the Christ does the congregation,)
The Role of the Governing Body
The members of the Governing Body are not masters over the faith of their brothers and sisters.
(2 Corinthians 1.24: Not that we are the masters over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, for it is by your faith that you are standing.)
They recognize Jesus Christ as the head of the Christian congregation, and they agree wholeheartedly with the Lord’s admonition to his disciples: “All of you are brothers.”
(Matthew 23.8: But you, do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your Teacher, and all of you are brothers.)
At the same time, they love their brothers and sisters very much and do their best to care for their needs. Under the headship of Christ Jesus, the members of the Governing Body provide helpful direction to organize Jehovah’s people worldwide. They appoint Branch Committee members and circuit overseers.
(Ephesians 4.7-13: Now undeserved kindness was given to each one of us according to how the Christ measured out the free gift. For it says: “When he ascended on high he carried away captives; he gave gifts in men.” Now what does the expression “he ascended” mean but that he also descended into the lower regions, that is, the earth? The very one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might give fullness to all things. And he gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelizers, some as shepherds and teachers, with a view to the readjustment of the holy ones, for ministerial work, to build up the body of the Christ, until we all attain to the oneness of the faith and of the accurate knowledge of the Son of God, to being a full-grown man, attaining the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of the Christ.)
In turn, circuit overseers appoint congregation elders.
(Acts 14.23: Moreover, they appointed elders for them in each congregation, offering prayer with fasting, and they entrusted them to Jehovah, in whom they had become believers.)
(Titus 1.5: I left you in Crete so that you would correct the things that were defective and make appointments of elders in city after city, as I instructed you:)
The Governing Body also takes very seriously its responsibility to provide spiritual food and instruction from God’s Word. The Governing Body does so through letters, printed guidelines and publications, JW Broadcasting® programs as well as through schools, meetings, conventions, and assemblies.
(Acts 15.22-35: Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole congregation, decided to send chosen men from among them to Antioch, along with Paul and Barnabas; they sent Judas who was called Barsabbas and Silas, who were leading men among the brothers. They wrote this and sent it through them: “The apostles and the elders, your brothers, to those brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia who are from the nations: Greetings! Since we have heard that some went out from among us and caused you trouble with what they have said, trying to subvert you, although we did not give them any instructions, we have come to a unanimous decision to choose men to send to you together with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are therefore sending Judas and Silas, so that they also may report the same things by word of mouth. For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you except these necessary things: to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you!” So when these men were dismissed, they went down to Antioch, and they gathered the whole group together and handed them the letter. After reading it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. And Judas and Silas, since they were also prophets, encouraged the brothers with many talks and strengthened them. After they had spent some time there, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. —— But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and declaring, along with many others, the good news of the word of Jehovah.)
And when a natural disaster or some other calamity strikes, the members of the Governing Body, moved by heartfelt love for their brothers and sisters, immediately take action to ensure that practical help will be provided.
15-16. What do you learn from the comments made by a sister named Marley and a brother named Benjamin?
15. Sisters show that they respect Christ by following the direction given by the men he has appointed to take care of them. A sister named Marley, who lives in the United States, sums up the view of many sisters. She says: “I really value my place as a wife and as a sister in the congregation. I constantly have to cultivate the right attitude toward Jehovah’s headship arrangement. But my husband and the brothers in the congregation have made that easier for me because they respect me and express their appreciation for the work I do.”
16. Brothers show that they understand the headship arrangement by respecting and honoring sisters. Benjamin, a brother who lives in England, says: “I have learned so much from sisters’ comments at the meetings and from their tips on how to study and how to be effective in the ministry. I think the work that they do is very valuable.”
17. Why should we respect the headship principle?
17. When all in the congregation-men, women, family heads, and elders-understand and respect the principle of headship, the congregation enjoys peace. And more important, we bring praise to our loving heavenly Father, Jehovah.-
(Psalm 150.6: Every breathing thing—let it praise Jah. Praise Jah!)
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?
• How should we view sisters in the congregation?
• Is every brother the head of every sister? Explain.
• How are the roles of family heads and elders different?
[End of article.]