In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul dives into some rather fascinating and sometimes confusing topics, from head coverings to the significance of the Lord's Supper. This chapter gives us a glimpse into the early church's struggles and the valuable lessons we can learn today.
The Reading: 1 Corinthians 11
World English Bible1 Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.
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2 Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.
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3 But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
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4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.
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5 But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved.
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6 For if a woman is not covered, let her hair also be cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or be shaved, let her be covered.
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7 For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man.
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8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man;
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9 for man wasn’t created for the woman, but woman for the man.
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10 For this cause the woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.
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11 Nevertheless, neither is the woman independent of the man, nor the man independent of the woman, in the Lord.
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12 For as woman came from man, so a man also comes through a woman; but all things are from God.
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13 Judge for yourselves. Is it appropriate that a woman pray to God unveiled?
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14 Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?
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15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering.
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16 But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God’s assemblies.
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17 But in giving you this command, I don’t praise you, that you come together not for the better but for the worse.
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18 For first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it.
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19 For there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you.
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20 When therefore you assemble yourselves together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.
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21 For in your eating each one takes his own supper first. One is hungry, and another is drunken.
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22 What, don’t you have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise God’s assembly, and put them to shame who don’t have enough? What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don’t praise you.
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23 For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread.
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24 When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.”
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25 In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.”
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26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
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27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
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28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.
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29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body.
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30 For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep.
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31 For if we discerned ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged.
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32 But when we are judged, we are punished by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
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33 Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
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34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest your coming together be for judgment. The rest I will set in order whenever I come.
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
Imitating Christ
Paul starts off by encouraging the Corinthians to imitate him, just as he imitates Christ. This sets the stage for a deep exploration of community values and traditions.
Head Coverings and Authority
He touches on head coverings, stating that men should not cover their heads while praying or prophesying, as it dishonors their relationship with Christ. On the flip side, women praying or prophesying with uncovered heads is seen as dishonorable too. Paul explains that this is tied to the order of creation, where man is the image and glory of God, while woman is the glory of man. It's a cultural issue rooted in the norms of their time.
Unity in Worship
However, Paul reminds them that in the Lord, both men and women are interdependent. He suggests that the woman's long hair is a natural covering, giving her glory. Ultimately, he emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting one another's customs.
The Lord's Supper
As the chapter moves on, Paul addresses the gatherings for the Lord's Supper, criticizing divisions among them. Some were coming early and eating all the food, leaving others hungry. This behavior led to disunity and shame. Paul sternly reminds them that their meals should reflect the love and unity of Christ.
He shares the words of Jesus during the Last Supper, proclaiming the bread and cup as symbols of His body and blood, urging them to partake in remembrance of Him. It's not just a ritual; it's a proclamation of faith and unity until Christ returns.
Self-Examination
Lastly, Paul calls for self-examination before partaking in communion, warning that improper participation can lead to serious consequences, like weakness and sickness. He urges them to wait for one another, reinforcing the idea that community should be at the heart of their gatherings.
Why It Matters
Community and Respect
1 Corinthians 11 teaches us about the importance of community and respecting each other's customs. The early church struggled with divisions, and Paul's message is a reminder that we should work towards unity.
The Significance of the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper isn't just a ritual; it symbolizes the core of Christian faith. Each time we partake, we remember Christ's sacrifice and the unity it brings among believers.
Self-Examination
Paul's call for self-reflection before communion challenges us to consider our hearts and motivations. It's a powerful reminder that our actions have deeper spiritual implications.
In today's world, these lessons still resonate. Finding a community where you can explore faith together is invaluable. If you're looking for a church near you, check out find a church near you.
Coming Up Next: 1 Corinthians 12
In the next part of our journey through 1 Corinthians, we'll explore the fascinating topic of spiritual gifts in chapter 12. Discover how each gift plays a unique role in strengthening the body of Christ.