What does the Bible say about leadership in the home?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that leadership in the home is a Christ-shaped calling of humble service, loving responsibility, and wise care, exercised under God’s authority. Ephesians 5:23-25 presents the husband’s headship as patterned after Christ, who gave himself sacrificially for his church, never as license for harshness or self-interest. Wives and husbands are called to honor God through mutual faithfulness, with husbands living considerately and honoring their wives as fellow heirs of grace (1 Peter 3:7; Colossians 3:19). Parents are to guide their children with faithful oversight while refusing provoking, crushing discipline (Ephesians 6:4; 1 Timothy 3:4). Because every household needs God’s help, James 1:5 encourages believers to seek his wisdom.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Corinthians 11:3
But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.
- 1 Peter 3:7
You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.
- 1 Timothy 3:4
one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence;
- Ephesians 5:23
For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body.
- Ephesians 5:1-33
[1] Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. [2] Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance. [3] But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints; [4] nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks. [5] Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. [7] Therefore don't be partakers with them. [8] For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, [9] for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, [10] proving what is well-pleasing to the Lord. [11] Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them. [12] For the things which are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of. [13] But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that is revealed is light. [14] Therefore he says, "Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." [15] Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise; [16] redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore don't be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. [18] Don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, [19] speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and singing praises in your heart to the Lord; [20] giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father; [21] subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ. [22] Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. [24] But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything. [25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; [26] that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, [27] that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. [28] Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. [29] For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; [30] because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. [31] "For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh." [32] This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly. [33] Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
- Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it;
- Colossians 3:19
Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them.
- Ephesians 6:4
You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- James 1:5
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.
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