Headship Without A Helper

Headship without a Helper

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

Genesis 2:18

THE SCRIPTURAL IDEA of the husband being the head of the wife has been one of the most exploited concepts of the Bible. Christian husbands, full of self-will, have made all kinds of foolish demands of their wives under the authority of “the Bible says.” Headship does not mean that the husband has the right to make all the decisions and inform the wife of what is going to be done.

The wife is called to be a “helper,” according to Genesis 2:18. Without her, the man would be alone—which God says outright would not be good. Her help is clearly necessary and valuable. Yet how can she be a helper if she has no opportunity to share her ideas? Wise King Solomon wrote, “Two people are better off than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). That is certainly true in decision making. Why would a husband want to make a decision limited to his own wisdom when God has given him a helper?

Father, thank you for the plan you have set forth for marriage and the valuable roles you have for each of us. Help me to understand those roles and fulfill my part with love and wisdom.

Decisions