1 COR 11:3 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) but I want you all to know that the messiah is the head of every man, and the man is the head of his wife, and God is the head of the messiah.[fn]

11:3 The translators expect that this talk of ‘the head’ is referring to authority, but because our modern society has become more sensitive to these issues, we decided to keep it literal here, thus letting our readers decide for themselves what Paul probably meant. (Having done that, our readers can also consider for themselves whether this might have been a cultural necessity in and around Corinth, or whether it has widespread application to all cultures.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Now I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

UST I am telling you that each man comes from the Messiah. A wife comes from her husband. Finally, the Messiah comes from God.

BLB But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and the head of Christ is God.

AICNT But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

OEB But I am anxious that you should understand that the Christ is the head of every man, that man is the head of woman, and that God is the head of the Christ.

WEBBE But I would have you know that the head[fn] of every man is Christ, and the head[fn] of the woman is man, and the head[fn] of Christ is God.

11:3 or, origin

WMBB But I would have you know that the head[fn] of every man is Messiah, and the head[fn] of the woman is man, and the head[fn] of Messiah is God.

11:3 or, origin

NET But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

LSV and I wish you to know that the Christ is the head of every man, and the head of a woman is the husband, and the head of Christ is God.

FBV I do want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, the man is the head of the woman, and God is the head of Christ.[fn]

11:3 The meaning of “head” in this context is much discussed. In Scripture “head” can have to do with “origin,” “source,” or “authority.”

TCNT But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

T4T Now, I want you to know that the one who has authority over [MTY] every man is Christ, and the ones who have authority over women are men (OR, their husbands), and the one who has authority over Christ is God.

LEB But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and the head of Christ is God.

BBE But it is important for you to keep this fact in mind, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.

Moff But I would like you to understand this: Christ is the head of every man, man is the head of woman, and God is the head of Christ.

Wymth I would have you know, however, that of every man, Christ is the Head, that of a woman her husband is the Head, and that God is Christ's Head.

ASV 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.

DRA 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.

YLT and I wish you to know that of every man the head is the Christ, and the head of a woman is the husband, and the head of Christ is God.

Drby But I wish you to know that the Christ is the head of every man, but woman's head [is] the man, and the Christ's head [fn]God.

11.3 Elohim

RV 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.

SLT And I will you to know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman the man; and the head of Christ God.

Wbstr 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.

KJB-1769 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.

KJB-1611 But I would haue you knowe, that the head of euery man is Christ: and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps But I wyl that ye knowe, that Christ is the head of euery man. And the man is the womans head: And God is Christes head.
(But I will that ye/you_all know, that Christ is the head of every man. And the man is the woman’s head: And God is Christ’s head.)

Gnva But I wil that ye know, that Christ is the head of euery man: and the man is the womans head: and God is Christs head.
(But I will that ye/you_all know, that Christ is the head of every man: and the man is the woman’s head: and God is Christs head. )

Cvdl But I certifye you, that Christ is the heade of euery man. As for ye man, he is the heade of ye woman, but God is Christes heade.
(But I certifye you, that Christ is the head of every man. As for ye/you_all man, he is the head of ye/you_all woman, but God is Christ’s head.)

TNT I wolde ye knew that Christ is the heed of every man. And the man is the womans heed. And God is Christes heed.
(I would ye/you_all knew that Christ is the head of every man. And the man is the woman’s heed. And God is Christ’s heed. )

Wycl But Y wole that ye wite, that Crist is heed of ech man; but the heed of the womman is the man; and the heed of Crist is God.
(But I will that ye/you_all wit/know, that Christ is heed of each man; but the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.)

Luth Ich lasse euch aber wissen, daß Christus ist eines jeglichen Mannes Haupt, der Mann aber ist des Weibes Haupt; GOtt aber ist Christi Haupt.
(I let you but realise, that Christ is one/a anyone man's head, the/of_the man but is the woman head; God but is Christi head.)

ClVg Volo autem vos scire quod omnis viri caput, Christus est: caput autem mulieris, vir: caput vero Christi, Deus.[fn]
(I_want however you(pl) to_know that everyone men the_head, Christ/Messiah it_is: the_head however woman's, vir: the_head indeed/however Christi, God. )

11.3 Viri, etc. Potest nomine viri intelligi hic spiritus, non ille Spiritus sanctus qui cum Patre et Filio immutabilis manet, et dignis animis incommutabiliter datur; sed spiritus hominis, qui quasi animæ maritus, animalem affectionem tanquam conjugem regit. Caput Christus est. Quia spiritus hominis regitur a sapientia Dei, quæ Christus est: in quo sicut in capite sunt omnes sensus spirituales, id est, plenitudo gratiarum, de qua accipit vir iste, et per hoc est vir caput mulieris, id est, rector animalitatis, quæ regitur a spiritu tanquam mulier a viro. Orans. Quia in aliis ubi est, potest velare, sed nondum suo judici se offert et colloquitur, ubi conditionem suam necesse est profiteri.

11.3 Men, etc. Can by_name men to_be_understood this/here spirit, not/no he/that_one Spirit holy who/which when/with Father and Filio immutabilis remains, and dignis of_the_souls incommutabiliter given; but spirit of_man, who/which as_if soul husband, animalem affectionem as_if conyugem rules. The_head Christ/Messiah it_is. Because spirit of_man rulesur from wisdom of_God, which Christ/Messiah it_is: in/into/on where like in/into/on head are everyone sense spiritual, that it_is, fullness thanks, from/about which receives man this, and through this it_is man the_head woman's, that it_is, straightr animalitatis, which rulesur from in_spirit as_if woman from to_the_man. Orans. Because in/into/on to_others where it_is, can to_cover, but not_yet his_own yudici himself offers and neckquitur, where conditionem his_own necessary it_is profiteri.

UGNT θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς εἰδέναι, ὅτι παντὸς ἀνδρὸς ἡ κεφαλὴ ὁ Χριστός ἐστιν, κεφαλὴ δὲ γυναικὸς ὁ ἀνήρ, κεφαλὴ δὲ τοῦ Χριστοῦ ὁ Θεός.
(thelō de humas eidenai, hoti pantos andros haʸ kefalaʸ ho Ⱪristos estin, kefalaʸ de gunaikos ho anaʸr, kefalaʸ de tou Ⱪristou ho Theos.)

SBL-GNT θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς εἰδέναι ὅτι παντὸς ἀνδρὸς ἡ κεφαλὴ ὁ Χριστός ἐστιν, κεφαλὴ δὲ γυναικὸς ὁ ἀνήρ, κεφαλὴ δὲ ⸀τοῦ Χριστοῦ ὁ θεός.
(thelō de humas eidenai hoti pantos andros haʸ kefalaʸ ho Ⱪristos estin, kefalaʸ de gunaikos ho anaʸr, kefalaʸ de ⸀tou Ⱪristou ho theos.)

RP-GNT Θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς εἰδέναι, ὅτι παντὸς ἀνδρὸς ἡ κεφαλὴ ὁ χριστός ἐστιν· κεφαλὴ δὲ γυναικός, ὁ ἀνήρ· κεφαλὴ δὲ χριστοῦ, ὁ θεός.
(Thelō de humas eidenai, hoti pantos andros haʸ kefalaʸ ho ⱪristos estin; kefalaʸ de gunaikos, ho anaʸr; kefalaʸ de ⱪristou, ho theos.)

TC-GNT Θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς εἰδέναι, ὅτι παντὸς ἀνδρὸς ἡ κεφαλὴ ὁ Χριστός ἐστι· κεφαλὴ δὲ γυναικός, ὁ ἀνήρ· κεφαλὴ δὲ [fn]Χριστοῦ, ὁ Θεός.
(Thelō de humas eidenai, hoti pantos andros haʸ kefalaʸ ho Ⱪristos esti; kefalaʸ de gunaikos, ho anaʸr; kefalaʸ de Ⱪristou, ho Theos. )

11:3 χριστου ¦ του χριστου CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 11:2–16: Men and women should dress appropriately to worship God

In this section Paul wrote about how men and women should dress during public worship. He wanted the women to cover their heads and the men to remain bare-headed. This was appropriate and proper and the custom of the other churches.

Here are some other possible section headings:

Wear appropriate clothing in public worship

Covering the head in worship

Paragraph 11:3–6

In this paragraph Paul taught that Christ is our head. Because of this, men should pray with their heads uncovered, and women should pray with their heads covered.

11:3a

But I want you to understand that

¶ But I want you^(plur) to know that
¶ But you should understand that

But: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as But can be understood in two different ways:

It introduces a contrast to Paul’s praise in the preceding verse. For example:
But I want you to understand (GNT) (BSB, GNT, RSV, NJB, KJV, ESV, GW, NET, NASB, NCV, NLT, REB)
It introduces a transition to a new topic. For example:
Now I want you to realize (NIV) (NIV, CEV)

It is recommended you follow option (1) as do the majority of English versions.

I want you to understand: The phrase I want you to understand introduces something that Paul wanted his readers to understand. He implied that he thought they did not yet understand it.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I want you to realize (NIV)

I want you to know clearly

11:3b-d

head: The word “head” is used three times in this verse. It is a figure of speech which refers to a person who is prominent in some way.Thiselton says that “head” has “several nuances,” and is “a polymorphous concept” (p. 820). Paul “deliberately introduced a word that was polymorphous…Neither ‘headship,’ nor ‘order,’ nor ‘equality’ alone conveys the complexity of Paul’s theology. Again, multiple meaning holds the key.” (p. 822). Garland, p. 516, writes that the best option is to understand “head” as “that which is prominent, foremost, uppermost pre-eminent. To be ‘head’ of a group of people simply means to occupy the position at the top or front.” There are three ways to interpret the word “head”:

Paul referred to someone who is in a position of authority.For the view that Paul was talking about authority, see Grudem, “Does KEFALE Mean ‘Source’ or ‘Authority Over’ in Greek Literature?” Trinity Journal 6 (1985): 38–59. This could be translated as:
Christ is the leader of every man
Paul referred to someone who is the source of the other person.See the following commentators for the view that Paul was talking about source or origin: Fee, p. 503, Barrett, p. 248. This could be translated as:
Christ is the source of every man
Every man comes from Christ
Paul referred to someone who is first in order, responsibility, role, or honor.This is Thiselton’s preferred emphasis; p. 821. See also Witherington, pp. 236–38 for a similarly nuanced position. This could be translated as:
Christ is first before every man

The commentaries do not agree as to which of these concepts was uppermost in Paul’s mind. It is recommended that you use the word “head” in your language. This is especially valuable if “head” can be interpreted as having more than one of the above meanings.

Here are some ways to translate this concept:

Christ is the head of every man

Christ is like the head of every man

If a literal rendering as “head” is not meaningful in your language, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). More commentaries accept this interpretation than the others, and translations in many minority languages around the world have found this acceptable.

In some languages there may be a different figure of speech that can substitute for “head” which maintains some of the meanings that Paul intended.

11:3b

the head of every man is Christ,

Christ is like the head of every man,
Christ is the leader of all men
Christ’s position is above that of all men,

the head of every man is Christ: The word head is used as a figure of speech to refer to someone who is prominent in some way. See the discussion above at 11:3b-d about the meaning of head. There are three ways to translate this figure of speech:

Keep the figure of speech. For example:
Christ is the head of every man
Use the figure of speech and include the word “like” to make it clear that this is a comparison. For example:
Christ is like the head of every man
Translate the meaning. For example:
Christ is the leader of every man
Christ is supreme over every man (GNT)
Christ has a position above all men

man: The Greek word that the BSB translates as man (here and in the rest of this section) means “male person.” It does not include women.

Christ himself was a man, so it may be natural to translate this as:

Christ is the head of all other men

11:3c

and the head of the woman is man,

and men are like the head of women,
and men are the leaders of women
and men have a position above women

and the head of the woman is man: The word head is used as a figure of speech to refer to someone who is prominent in some way. It has the same meaning as it did in 3b, and you should translate it in the same way. See the discussion at 11:3b-d about the meaning of head.

Here are some ways to translate this figure of speech:

Keep the figure of speech. For example:
men are the head of women
Use the figure of speech and include the word “like” to make it clear that this is a comparison. For example:
men are like the head of women
Translate the meaning. For example:
men are the leaders of women
men are in a position above women

woman…man: There are two ways to interpret the words woman and man in this statement:

Paul referred to women and men in general. For example:
the head of woman is man (NJB) (BSB, NJB, KJV, NASB, REB, NET, CEV, NCV, NIV)
Paul referred to wives and husbands. For example:
the head of a woman is her husband (GNT) (GNT, ESV, RSV, GW, NLT)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is followed by most English versions and by most commentaries. The Greek words that the BSB translates as woman and man are in the singular. However, in verses 3–15 they are general statements that apply to all women and all men. Use a form in your language that is understood as a general statement.In Paul’s culture, a woman’s position or status in society was lower than that of a man. You should translate the words woman and man the same way throughout verses 3–15.

Here are some ways to translate these words:

all females…all males

women…men

all women…all men

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the leaders of men are women

men are in a position above women

11:3d

and the head of Christ is God.

and God is like the head of Christ.
and God is the leader of Christ.
and God has a position above Christ.

and the head of Christ is God: The word head is used as a figure of speech. It has the same meaning as in the two previous examples. You should translate it in the same way. Paul said that God is in a position of prominence with regard to Christ.

Here are some ways to translate this figure of speech:

Keep the figure of speech. For example:
God is the head of Christ
Use the figure of speech and include the word “like” to make it clear that this is a comparison. For example:
God is like the head of Christ
Translate the meaning. For example:
God is the leader of Christ
God occupies a position above Christ

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: θέλω Δέ ὑμᾶς εἰδέναι ὅτι παντός ἀνδρός ἡ κεφαλή ὁ Χριστός ἐστίν κεφαλή δέ γυναικός ὁ ἀνήρ κεφαλή δέ τοῦ Χριστοῦ ὁ Θεός)

Here, Now could introduce: (1) a new topic or a new focus on a specific issue. Alternate translation: [Particularly,] (2) a contrast with [11:2](../11/02.md), which would imply that here the Corinthians are not “holding firmly to the traditions.” Alternate translation: [However,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

παντὸς ἀνδρὸς ἡ κεφαλὴ ὁ Χριστός ἐστιν, κεφαλὴ δὲ γυναικὸς ὁ ἀνήρ, κεφαλὴ δὲ τοῦ Χριστοῦ ὁ Θεός

Here Paul speaks as if someone could be the head of someone else. This is an important metaphor that Paul uses in many places, and it might contain elements of both of the possibilities in this note, so preserve the metaphor if possible. This figure of speech could refer to how the head: (1) functions as the source of life and existence for the body. The person who is identified as the head would function as the source of life and existence for the other person, and the other person is connected to the head. Alternate translation: [Christ is the source of every man, and the man is the source of a woman, and God is the source of Christ] (2) functions as the leader or director of the body. The person who is identified as the head would function as the authority over or leader of the other person. Alternate translation: [Christ has authority over every man, and the man has authority over a woman, and God has authority over Christ]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

παντὸς ἀνδρὸς

Here, every man could refer to: (1) male people. Paul is not saying that Christ is not the head of female people, but he is claiming that he is the head of male people. Alternate translation: [of every male person] (2) people in general, even though the word is masculine. Alternate translation: [of every person]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

γυναικὸς ὁ ἀνήρ

Here, man and woman could refer to: (1) a man and woman who are married to each other. Alternate translation: [the husband is … of his wife] (2) any people who are male and female. Alternate translation: [the male person is … of a female person]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

κεφαλὴ δὲ γυναικὸς ὁ ἀνήρ

Paul is speaking of “men” and “women” in general, not of one particular man and woman. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this with a form that refers to people in general. Alternate translation: [and each man is the head of his woman] or [and each man is the head of each woman]

Parallel 1 COR 11:3