Only One Can Lead?

Only One Can Lead? - When Scripture Says Otherwise

One of the most common assumptions taught in Christian marriage and church culture is this simple phrase:

“Only one can lead.”

It is often presented as wisdom, order, or “biblical authority.”

But when examined through Scripture—not through worldly business models—this idea falls apart.

The Bible never teaches that leadership belongs to one person, one spouse, or one gender. What it teaches is something far more relational, Spirit-led, collaborative, and freeing.

“Only One Can Lead” Is a Worldly Concept

The belief that only one person can lead does not come from Scripture.

It comes from worldly systems—corporate hierarchies, military chains of command, and authoritarian structures.

These systems are built on assumptions such as:

• People cannot be trusted

• Authority must be centralized

• Control produces order

• Someone must have the “final say”

  
  

That logic may function in corporations and fallen systems.

But it is not how God’s Kingdom operates.

God’s Kingdom does not function like a business.

It functions like a Body.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit… Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”(1 Corinthians 12:4–27)

Inside a body, no part rules the others.

Every part contributes

Every part is necessary.

Every part matters.

Each believer submits first to Christ—and then to one another’s spiritual gifts, wisdom, and anointing.

That is not hierarchy.

That is interdependence.

Jesus Rejected Hierarchical Leadership

Jesus directly confronted worldly leadership models:

“The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them… Not so with you.”(Matthew 20:25–26)

“Only one can lead” reflects the very system Jesus told His followers not to imitate.

Kingdom leadership is not about rank, dominance, or control

. It is about:

• Service

• Humility

• Love

• Shared responsibility

  
  

In God’s Kingdom, greatness is measured by how well we serve one another—not how many people we control.

“Head” Does Not Mean Boss

Much confusion comes from how the word head is taught.

When Paul uses the Greek word kephalē (“head”), he does not use the Greek words that mean ruler, boss, or authority.

Paul knew those words and used them elsewhere, yet intentionally avoided them here.

Kephalē carries meanings such as:

• Source

• Origin

• Life connection

• Unity

• Relational interdependence

  
  

Paul’s focus is oneness, not domination.

Reading “head” as “boss” imports pagan hierarchy into Scripture.

What “One” Actually Means

Scripture repeatedly emphasizes oneness—not singular control.

“The body is not made up of one part but of many… The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’”(1 Corinthians 12:14–21)

Being one means:

• Shared life

• Shared mission

• Shared responsibility

• Mutual dependence under Christ

  
  

It does not mean one person governs while the other submits in silence.

Christ alone is Head of the Body.

Everyone else is family—brothers and sisters in Christ.

God’s Original Design: Partnership

From the beginning, God established partnership—not patriarchy.

“So God created them male and female in His image… and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful… fill the earth and govern it.’”(Genesis 1:26–28)

Authority was given to both of them together.

They were created:

• Side by side

• Equal image-bearers

• Co-governors of creation

  
  

Sin distorted this design.

Redemption restores it.

Jesus did not reinforce hierarchy—He dismantled it.

Leadership Is About Character, Not Biology

Biblical leadership is never assigned by gender.

It is developed through:

• Spiritual maturity

• Humility

• Teachability

• Wisdom

• Christlike character

“By their fruit you will recognize them.”(Matthew 7:16)

The fruit of the Spirit—not gender—qualifies leadership: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Leadership without fruit is not leadership.

It is control.

Women Led and Served Throughout Scripture

Scripture consistently affirms women as leaders, teachers, providers, and ministry partners:

• Deborah judged and led Israel

• Priscilla taught theology

• Phoebe served as a deacon and patron

• Lydia funded and hosted a house church

• Women financed Jesus’ ministry

• Women were the first witnesses of the resurrection

  
  

Nowhere does Scripture teach male-only leadership or provision.

God does not silence those He empowers.

Submission in Scripture Is Mutual

Scripture teaches mutual submission among believers.

Submission:

• Is voluntary

• Is mutual

• Flows from love

• Is never forced or gender-based

  
  

Marriage reflects the Church—and the Church practices mutual submission.

Any teaching that turns submission into gender-based obedience distorts the Gospel.

Love does not control.

Love serves.

Christ Is the Only Leader Over the Body

Jesus made this unmistakably clear:

“You have one Leader, the Christ.”(Matthew 23:10)

The moment we insist that only one human must lead, we:

• Replace Christ’s headship

• Elevate human control

• Import worldly systems into the Kingdom

• Justify discrimination with theology

  
  

That is not order. That is power disguised as religion.

The Truth That Sets Free

Scripture does not teach:

• Male-only leadership

• One spouse ruling the other

• Authority based on gender

• “Only one can lead”

  
  

It teaches:

• Shared leadership

• Mutual submission

• Collaboration

• Spirit-led partnership

• Christ as the only Head

  
  

God’s Kingdom is NOT built on control.

It is built on oneness in Christ.

When we follow His design, both men and women are free to walk fully in their God-given calling.

And freedom—not control—is the evidence of the Spirit of God.

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”(2 Corinthians 3:17)

Please share so others may know the truth that sets free.

For more on how God’s Kingdom functions on earth, see my book Life in God’s Kingdom: How to Manifest Heaven on Earth at Mighty4Jesus.com.

Be free to be mighty for Jesus

In freedom and might,

Jeannette