1 Corinthians 11:1-16
Q.1. What quality of Jesus did Paul urge us to imitate? How did he apply God’s order to believers? What principle was he endorsing regarding praying and prophesying? Why? – (1 Cor.11:1-7)
In 1 Peter 2:21-25 Peter urged us to follow Christ in His example of suffering. Here Paul challenged us to follow Christ’s example of submission to the Godhead even as – … God is the head of Christ (1 Cor.11:3). He argued for this submission to be applied to every authority structure: (i) God is the head of Christ (that God may be all in all – 1 Cor.15:28) … since this is the pattern in the Godhead (1 Cor.11:3). (ii) This submission also applies to the Church since Christ is the Head of the Church as its Saviour (1 Cor.11:3 c.f. Eph.5:23). (iii) This also applies in men’s submission to Christ (1 Cor.11:3 c.f. Eph.5:21). (iv) It is also to be demonstrated by a woman’s submission to the man (1 Cor.11:3 c.f. Eph5:22; 1 Pet.3:1-2). [Though the principle of submission applies in every culture – however, it is expressed according the uniqueness of each culture. At Corinth for a man to pray, prophecy, or preach with something on his head would have been disgraceful. Equally – every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head … i.e. disgraces her husband (1 Cor.11:5 c.f. 1 Cor.11:3). That would still apply in cultures where such head covering express submission to the husband – For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man (1 Cor.11:7). What is the principle that does apply? When addressing issues like head coverings and outer adornment, both Peter and Paul pointed to the inner attitude of submission, beyond the external expressions – but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious in the sight of God (1 Pet.3:4 c.f. 1 Tim.2:9-11). This inner principle of submission should be applied, as it is expressed and perceived differently in each culture and people group.
Q.2. What order should we demonstrate within the ministry? Does this display the superiority of men over women? What point was Paul making about long hair? – (1 Cor.11:8-16 c.f. 1 Cor.10:32-33)
Paul supported his teaching on submission, not from a cultural perspective, but based on creation: (i) The man was created before the woman … and in that order. To change that order would bring disorder – For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man (1 Cor.11:8 c.f. 1 Tim.2:13). (ii) He referred back to the purpose for which God created the woman – for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake (1 Cor.11:9 c.f. Gen.2:18-20). The ignoring of this purpose works against the oneness that God intended for marriage (Gen.2:24). (iii) The way God rules the universe is through ranks of angels. The rebellion of Lucifer has damaged the authority structure God designed, and such rebellion should be resisted. Are we then to consider a woman as inferior to a man? Certainly not. Paul was addressing an orderly approach to the authority structures, that God has ordained for our welfare. Men and women are dependent on each other, in submission to God for – 11 … in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God (1 Cor.11:11-12). What was Paul addressing, in regard to long hair in men? Paul explained that in nature a woman’s hair is a much more striking feature than that of a man (1 Cor.11:15). From the beauty contest in the Medo-Persian Empire in Esther’s days, up to recent days, beauty contests have involved women (c.f. Est.2:11-4). Contests for men are not about length of hair and beauty, but strength (1 Cor.11:14). Because of this, many cultures expect their women to cover this glorious feature. This was the prevailing view of the godly at Corinth, so Paul urged the church not to allow contention to distract from the unity and worship of the church. He then added – But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God (1 Cor.11:16 c.f. 1 Cor.11:13). In other words, it is fine for Christians to reflect the fashions of the culture that they live in, but they should not draw attention to themselves.