How does Matthew 23:10 connect with Ephesians 4:15 on Christ's headship? Verse snapshots • Matthew 23:10: “Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Christ.” • Ephesians 4:15: “But speaking the truth in love, we should in all things grow up into Him who is the head, Christ.” Key words to notice • Instructor (Matthew 23:10): didaskalos—teacher, guide, authority. • Head (Ephesians 4:15): kephalē—source, leader, governing authority. • One / Him—both verses highlight Christ’s singular position. The shared message—Christ’s exclusive headship • Both passages insist there is one ultimate spiritual authority. • Matthew stresses titles: no earthly figure should eclipse Christ’s role as instructor. • Ephesians shows function: every aspect of church growth must stay connected to the Head. • Together they teach that: – Titles and positions are secondary, temporary, and servant-oriented. – All doctrine, direction, and development flow from Christ alone (cf. Colossians 1:18). – Christ’s headship is both positional (He reigns) and practical (He directs daily life). Why this matters for believers today • Guards against personality cults—leaders must point away from themselves to Christ (1 Corinthians 3:5-7). • Produces unity—when all look to the same Head, divisions shrink (Ephesians 4:3-6). • Fuels growth—remaining under the true Instructor keeps us maturing in truth and love (John 15:4-5). • Cultivates humility—shepherds and teachers remember they are under-shepherds (1 Peter 5:2-4). Living it out • Evaluate every teaching: “Does this align with Christ, the Instructor?” (Acts 17:11). • Keep conversations seasoned with truth and love, reflecting the Head (Ephesians 4:15-16). • Hold positions loosely, hold Christ tightly—titles serve, they never replace (Matthew 20:25-28). • Pray for leaders, but reserve ultimate allegiance for Christ alone (Hebrews 13:17; Revelation 19:16). Supporting passages reinforcing Christ’s headship • Colossians 1:18—“He is the head of the body, the church.” • 1 Corinthians 11:3—“The head of every man is Christ.” • John 13:13—“You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am.” Christ is the one Instructor, the one Head. Stay attached to Him, and everything else in the body finds its rightful place. |
    |