God made both Adam and Eve in his image (Genesis 1:26-27). Adam was given priority as the first one created. Eve was made from Adam, and her purpose was not to compete with him, but to help him. Equality with Adam was also not the focus. God’s purpose for both of them was unity, two people becoming one.

Paul wrote a rare word of praise for the church in Corinth because of the ways in which they were keeping God’s traditions as they had been delivered to them. He then wrote about the role of both man and woman as well as that of God and Christ. God was head over Christ, Christ was head over man, then man was head over woman (1st Corinthians 11:2-3).

The flesh, especially in modern culture, may immediately bristle over the idea of man being over woman as a breach of equality or a patriarchal power grab. Nothing is further from the truth, since this is God’s plan and not man’s.

Perhaps to prevent anyone from getting such an idea, Paul included a “however”:

“However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man through the woman; and all things originate from God.”
- 1st Corinthians 11:11-12

God, always the great peacemaker, points us to our dependency on each other. Yes, all women sprang from Adam in that Eve was made from his flesh, but every man, even the greatest of men, owes his existence to his mother. This was God’s “however,” preventing the low minded from seeking priority.

Consider that God’s plan from eternity was that even Jesus his son, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, would come into this world through a young woman who would then forever be, his mother.

So then, for these and other reasons, to honor your mother is to honor God and recognize the great bond of life we all share.