### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word κεφαλή (kephalḗ), Strong's number `{{G2776}}`, primarily denotes the literal "head" of a living being. Its etymological root, suggesting "that which is most readily taken hold of," hints at its broader semantic range. Beyond the anatomical, κεφαλή extends metaphorically to signify:
* **Source or Origin:** The beginning point, the fount from which something flows or originates. This implies a foundational or generative role.
* **Authority or Leadership:** The one who is preeminent, in charge, or holds a position of leadership and control. This is arguably its most significant figurative usage in the New Testament.
* **Sum or Culmination:** Less frequently, it can denote the top, the end, or the sum total of something, though this is less prominent in biblical usage compared to "authority."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
κεφαλή appears frequently in the New Testament with both literal and figurative meanings.
* **Literal Use:** The vast majority of occurrences refer to the physical head. Examples include Jesus' head on the cross [[John 19:30]], John the Baptist's head on a platter [[Matthew 14:8]], or the anointing of heads [[Mark 6:13]]. These instances are straightforward and do not carry significant theological weight beyond their narrative context.
* **Figurative Use (Authority/Leadership):** This usage is profoundly theological, especially in Pauline epistles:
* **Christ as the Head of the Church:** This is a cornerstone of Pauline Christology and ecclesiology. Passages like [[Ephesians 1:22]], [[Ephesians 4:15]], [[Ephesians 5:23]], [[Colossians 1:18]], and [[Colossians 2:10]] unequivocally declare Christ as the κεφαλή of the Church. In this context, κεφαλή signifies Christ's absolute preeminence, supreme authority, and the source of life, growth, and direction for His body, the Church. The Church is dependent on Christ, receiving its vitality and purpose from Him.
* **Man as the Head of Woman:** In [[1 Corinthians 11:3]], Paul states, "But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." This passage uses κεφαλή to establish a divinely ordained order of authority or preeminence within creation and the Godhead. While debated, it speaks to a structured relationship, not necessarily one of inherent superiority or inferiority, but of roles and responsibilities.
* **God as the Head of Christ:** The same verse, [[1 Corinthians 11:3]], also declares God as the κεφαλή of Christ. This profound statement indicates an ordered relationship within the Trinity, where the Son, though fully divine, operates in submission to the Father's ultimate authority within the divine economy.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of κεφαλή as authority and source finds parallels and connections with other biblical terms and theological ideas:
* **Hebrew Counterpart:** The most direct Old Testament parallel is `{{H7218}}` (ro'sh), which also means "head" literally, but frequently refers to a "chief," "leader," "beginning," or "summit." This conceptual continuity between the Testaments is significant.
* **Greek Terms of Authority:**
* `{{G2962}}` (kyrios): Lord, master, one possessing ultimate authority.
* `{{G1413}}` (dynamis): Power, inherent ability or might, often associated with divine authority.
* `{{G935}}` (basileus): King, a ruler embodying supreme governmental authority.
* **Theological Concepts:**
* **Sovereignty:** God's ultimate rule and control over all things.
* **Preeminence:** Christ's unparalleled status above all creation.
* **Order:** The divine design for relationships and structures within creation and the Church.
* **Submission:** The appropriate response to established authority, whether divine or human.
* **Body of Christ:** The Church as a unified organism, intricately connected to and dependent upon Christ, its κεφαλή.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κεφαλή is central to understanding key New Testament doctrines:
* **Christ's Supremacy and Lordship:** The designation of Christ as the κεφαλή of the Church and of all things (e.g., [[Colossians 2:10]]) is a powerful affirmation of His absolute authority, sovereignty, and preeminence over all creation, spiritual powers, and the redeemed community. He is not merely a leader but the very source of life, wisdom, and direction for His body. This concept counters any competing claims of authority or spiritual power.
* **The Unity and Function of the Church:** As the κεφαλή, Christ ensures the unity, health, and proper functioning of His body, the Church. Every member is vitally connected to Him and derives its purpose and ability from Him. This implies an organic, interdependent relationship where Christ's will is the guiding principle for the entire body.
* **Divine Order in Creation and Redemption:** The hierarchical relationships described in [[1 Corinthians 11:3]] (God as κεφαλή of Christ, Christ as κεφαλή of man, man as κεφαλή of woman) point to a divinely established order. This order, while often a subject of theological discussion, reflects an economy of relationships where authority and responsibility are divinely assigned, ultimately flowing from God the Father. It speaks to a framework of love, mutual respect, and functional roles rather than inherent superiority or inferiority.
* **Incarnation and Atonement:** The physical κεφαλή of Christ was crowned with thorns and bowed in death on the cross, yet it is precisely through this ultimate act of humility and self-sacrifice that He was exalted to be the ultimate κεφαλή over all things. His suffering and resurrection demonstrate that true divine leadership is rooted in sacrificial love and redemptive power.
### Summary
The Greek word κεφαλή (kephalḗ), Strong's number `{{G2776}}`, moves beyond its literal meaning of a physical "head" to convey profound theological truths, primarily signifying "source" and "authority" or "preeminence." Its most significant biblical application is found in the Pauline epistles, where Christ is unequivocally declared the κεφαλή of the Church and of all creation. This usage underscores Christ's absolute supremacy, His role as the life-giving source, and the ultimate authority over His body, the Church. Furthermore, κεφαλή is employed to delineate a divine order of relationships, illustrating God's ultimate κεφαλή-ship over Christ, and Christ's over humanity. Thus, κεφαλή illuminates fundamental aspects of Christology, ecclesiology, and the divine economy, emphasizing God's design for order, unity, and submission to His sovereign will.
TRV