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In Eph. 5: 22-24 (the present dispensation) the headship of the man is spoken of
within that same relationship, and it is not without significance that the wife is to submit
herself unto her "own" husband (verse 22).
Such considerations suggest that a man can only completely fulfil his position as
"head" in relation to a wife, although it cannot be entertained for one moment that any
godly unmarried woman should misread this and usurp the position allotted to man:
"I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp (exercise) authority over the man"
(I Tim. 2: 12).
Whilst "man" is here again aner, it can hardly be maintained from the context that
Paul is confining his word to husbands.
Hence it seems that in interpreting the complete meaning of man's headship, it can
only be properly understood (and therefore fulfilled) within the marriage bond. Such will
impose limitations upon what can be said (and practiced) concerning the unmarried.
(2) A second limitation to this subject is one which has often to be taken account of in
practical truth, that of interpreting a general principle into specific practice. Paul touched
upon this in Rom. 14: 22:
". . . . . happy is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves" (R.S.V.).
Not every aspect of specific practice is mentioned in Scripture; the conscience
enlightened by the Holy Spirit's application of the Word of God, is left to decide the
rights or otherwise of the believer's way of life, where there is no "thus saith the Lord" in
specific terms.
So also with the subject under consideration. The positions allotted to man and
woman can be defined in certain terms; the "headship" of the man, the "submission" of
the woman; the "authority" of the man, the "quietness" of the woman and so on
(Eph. 5: 22-33; I Tim. 2: 8-15, etc.), but the specific interpretation of those terms in
everyday life (except where Paul, for example, specifically mentions "praying" in public
and "teaching" (I Tim. 2: 8, 12), is left for the individual to work out before the Lord.
Granted that such limitations must be accepted in examining this subject, there is
much guidance that Scripture gives whereby all believers might know how (as man and
woman) they may "walk worthy of the calling" wherewith they are called.