The husband the head of the wife?

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How does the Church interpret this Teaching?

1 Corinthians 11
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

Ephesians 5
For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
 

“The Holy Catholic Church teaches, through Scripture and Tradition, that the husband is the head of his family and has God-given authority over his wife and children. This gift of authority does not give a husband any greater dignity than his wife. Both are equal members of the marital covenant, as is reflected by God creating woman from the side of man (as opposed to his head or feet). Instead, this order of authority reflects the divine order between God, Christ and man. God blessed the marital covenant with this order to maintain peace and harmony in the family, the “domestic church.” Just as Christ is the Head of the Catholic Church (the family of God), so the father is the head of his domestic church (his family).”
 
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Have any concluded what the Church Teaches?

I dont want to debate, because I know there are very different opinions from Catholics.

But what does the Church actually Teach this Scripture means?

The article I posted is the closest thing I have found.
 
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Honestly if you search the old posts it is covered comprehensively.

As far as I remember there is a dual responsibility, mutual respect and man and wife are one. The man honours the wife, and the wife honours the husband. If you need more than that then perhaps @edward_george1 might summarise the Church’ position with far more clarity than I for you.
 
Yes, I dont think I’ve ever heard anyone say it means one should respect or love the other less.

Yet it must have an important meaning, and distinction in practice. Just as it is only men who are to be pastors in the Church.

Is there a Teaching that they would be “summarizing” from the Church, or you mean summarizing these Scriptures? I’m more interested in Church Teaching than individual interpretations.
 
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rcwitness said:
How does the Church interpret this Teaching?
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This again? RC, you’ve been here on CAF long enough to have seen the other billion and a half posts on this topic. it’s tired and worn out.

Read the Church’s documents on marriage and family if you are interested in this topic.
 
Thanks. While I dont initially really have much to disagree with his opinion, he does say this…

“This opinion is not specific teaching of the Catholic Church”
 
I have, and will continue…

Is there a limit to learning these things?

I want to respect everyone here!

I’m not here to debate, honest. Just asking a very narrow question.
 
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Honestly, it does seem a bit as if you bring this up in varying ways looking for someone to say, “The man is in charge and the wife had to do what he says.”
 
I don’t understand why some people get upset if a topic is brought up by a poster, even if it is a rehash of older threads. There are new members surfing these posts every day, and while not necessarily searching for a specific topic, they may learn something in their browsing. There are also new viewpoints that might be shared that haven’t been shared previously. If someone is tired of a specific topic, they can easily ignore it.
 
I just want to know how the Church interprets it, no matter how it is.

I want to get along with you all!

Peace JulianN

Btw, I personally believe the man is “in charge” of his wife and children. What that means and doesn’t mean is not negative, like you are implying. It means responsibility to love and guide.

Very much like a pastor of a Parish! In fact, I believe it is exactly like a pastor to his Parish.

The family is the “Domestic Church”.
 
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rcwitness said:
I just want to know how the Church interprets it, no matter how it is.
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It doesn’t. Not every bible verse has a definitive interpretation by the Church.

In every age, the Church has given advice and guidance on living out the sacrament of marriage. There are hundreds of documents. Read them, then prudentially apply it to your own life and circumstances.

And this is one of those times that is very much in the realm of prudence within the marriage and up to the couple how they live out their marriage.
 
The analogy between relationshop Christ and the Church and a man and wife is too often not taken far enough, too many (men in particular) simply do not consider how the relationship between Christ and His Church works, although St Paul certainly did (love you wife as much as Christ loved the Church).

Besides the obvious that Christ so loved the Church that he gave up his life for the Church, he also gave the Church a great amount of power. Indeed, even worded such as that He would go along with what the Church decided (ie. what you bound on earth shall be bound in Heaven…). He also promised to protect the Church until the end of time. So any discussion of how a man is the head of his wife needs to start with a thorough understanding of how to love one’s wife. How to give them authority in a domain (traditionally the home, but not limited to that) which even the husband will always respect. How to be willing to sacrifice everything for one’s wife. If a husband is not doing all of that (and that is very, very difficult), it seems rather presumptuous to be worrying about being the “head of one’s wife”.
 
I agree completely.

And that Peter and Paul were saying how we ought to behave. The standard for BOTH! And there is order in the relationship, not unlike the ministerial priesthood of Male ordination regarding pastoring the Parish.

And we all fall short to some degree. And that we should never judge our spouse. Only the Church, in her full authority can judge a Christian.
 
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rcwitness said:
And we all fall short to some degree. And that we should never judge our spouse. Only the Church, in her full authority can judge a Christia
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Well, we can judge behavior. A spouse who is, for example, unfaithful or abusive does not get a pass from that behavior being judged by his/her spouse. And suffering consequences.
 
Yes. I agree!

But a spouse should not make those judgments apart from the Church’s affirmation.

Dont judge the other, if you are also being unfaithful or abusive.

Both must reconcile with God first.
 
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