Is Jesus eternally subordinate to the Father?

In recent decades, a new doctrine has been purported concerning how the “roles” differ between Jesus the Son and His Father. The main text cited for this doctrine is 1 Corinthians 11:3: “But 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.” The doctrine is called “The Eternal Subordination of the Son.”

Complementarians (those who promote hierarchy of men over women) use their interpretation of this verse to prove their reasoning. Men are to lead, women are to follow.

There are many questions that must be answered in order to get to the bottom of this verse, such as

• What does it mean to be “head”?
• What is the context of this verse—and how does it fit into the whole?
• Does this align with other passages about men and women in the New Testament?
• Is it even possible to be equal in essence yet different in designed roles?
• Why would God put all men over all women? Is there something inherently different in women that disqualifies them to lead men?

I cover these ideas extensively in my book, On Purpose. This short blog post will deal with the idea that the Father and the Son have different, permanent roles.

The Lord Your God is One

The Bible is very clear that Jesus and God (and the Holy Spirit) are one in being, power, and significance. John begins his gospel with “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Jesus himself said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).

In an incident when Jesus healed on the Sabbath, John tells us the Jewish leaders “were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:17-18).  Jesus also claimed authority to judge the nations and to forgive sins (see Matthew 25:31-46 and Mark 2:7). These things were known from Old Testament writings to be things only God could do (see 1 Samuel 2:6-10 and Isaiah 43:25). Jewish leaders understood this. It is why they charged and convicted him of blasphemy—they didn’t believe his claims to be God.

But the names of God are applied to Jesus in the Old Testament. Isaiah called Jesus “Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) Micah foretold Jesus’ birthplace, saying “One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His times of coming forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity” (Micah 5:2).

A Temporary Thing

So then why did Jesus tell His disciples “I can do nothing on My own initiative…I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent me” (John 5:30). Does this define the permanent relationship between Father and Son?

Not according to Paul. He explains that relationship in Philippians: “He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of me. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).

• Before coming to earth, Jesus existed as God
• In order to complete his mission on earth, Jesus set aside His glory, emptying Himself
• Living as a man in the flesh, He lived in complete obedience to the Father

After the mission was completed, Jesus ascended to heaven, where his power and glory were restored. Paul continues, “For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth…” (Philippians 2:9-11).

• Once His earthly mission was accomplished, Jesus received His eternal glory and power back again. His obedience had been a temporary thing, while He lived life in human flesh.

Consider the Context

When we approach Scripture in an effort to back up what we already believe, we can read things into a verse or passage that aren’t even there. But it is incumbent on us to seriously look at the context of a passage before listing it as a proof to our beliefs. We don’t want to put words in God’s mouth.

In this case, context shows us 1 Corinthians 11 is not about differentiating between men and women’s roles. It is actually structured to show men and women are to be equal in role (note 11:11: “However, in the Lord…). He is contradicting the Corinthians’ incorrect rationales with bold statements on what men and women have in common. In fact, the whole of Paul’s letter is to demolish division between classes, spirituality, spiritual gifts, etc. This chapter is part of that purpose.

In all matters, the Corinthians were to work for the common good. As members of Christ’s body, the church, men and women were all to function as one.

You can read a much more detailed account of this idea in On Purpose. Chapter 6 delves into 1 Corinthians 11 to answer the question: Are Men to be Given Precedence in the Church?