Coverings
1 Cor 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1 Cor 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
Ordinances...: cease to do evil, learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow (Isa 1:16-17; James 1:27). The ordinances and statutes reveal God's will and his understanding of what it means to do good, seek justice, and correct oppression. (Baker's Dictionary)
1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
The foundational reason for all the instruction is in verse 3: God has established a hierarchy, an order of authority and accountibility
Women have two options in their attitude towards their head (authority): rebelliousness that must be won over (as men show towards Christ) or loving submission to an equal (as Christ shows towards God the Father) What God is looking for from man in His great plan: voluntary submission; this is what Christ expressed, and this is what God looks for from both men and women, but in different ways . It is respect for God's order of authority. Jesus submitted to the Father, yet they were equal. Men and women submit to Christ, as equals, yet the woman is to be under the protection of the godly man and submit to him in love. All is done in love to preserve order. This is the order for the Church as in the home.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
1 Cor 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
For a man to keep a hat on is a sign of disrespect. If a queen enters the room, the hat would be removed as a show of respect.
1 Cor 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
Note that women may pray and prophesy.
The veil was a symbol of being under authority and protection in that day. Paul sees the lack of a veil as a visable sign of rebellion, might as well shave the head. A shaved head to a Jew was a sign of adultery and shame. In the Corinthian culture it was the sign of prostitution or lesbianism. The issue is to not do something to show you are rebelling. Yet today, the evidence of rebellion is everywhere. What is the standard for today in outward apparel? Good question, perhaps it is best to dress modestly.
1 Cor 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
Paul said as Jesus said , be one way or the other. Are you rebelling? Or are you submitting to God?
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
In the church and in the home the man is to be the leader, often they are not. God has given women so many more social qualities, but the woman is to submit, this is God's order. Each also are to submit to God and each other. Still Jesus is the head of the church, then men Pastors and the woman serving under this authority structure.
Heads
1 Cor 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
1 Cor 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1 Cor 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
The man in authority is shown in creation where Adam was created before Eve. Eve was created to be a help meet.
Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Gen 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
1 Cor 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
Angels are present at any assembly of Christians for worship and note any departure from reverent order; have you ever felt their presence?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
1 Cor 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1 Cor 11:12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
Both husband and wife are created for each other and the Lord. If a man cannot be loving , or the woman submissive, it is better to not marry.
1 Cor 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1 Cor 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
Paul looks to natural customs and nature. The woman has by nature longer hair. (I think it is more rebellion that is in question here, not hair length)
1 Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
1 Cor 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
Better to go along with church customs then to argue.
Let none of us treat a guest with criticism if they do not fit our standard of appearance. There is a general tendancy for churches to go one way too far, either too stiff and formal, or too casual with ministers in jeans and T-shirts to make visitors comfortable. I think this is lowering the standards. In my parent's day they wore there Sunday best to church. We should not judge others, but those who are long time members should set an example of moderation.
This warning is not as much about hair as it is rebellion, and misuse of authority. There is a godly order of authority and submission in love. All are accountable to God. Let us not abuse our liberty.
Unworthy Feasts
Instructions concerning coming together in fellowship and the Lord's Supper
1 Cor 11:17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
One thing we should do is come together.
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Yet when we come together it is to be with the spiritual gifts, love being most important. Something was lacking in the Corinthian church.
1 Cor 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
People often sit with the same friends, but we should be open to all the body of believers. God moves in the midst of a people who are united with one heart and one Spirit. there should be no divisions, if there are it may be an indication of an opposing spirit.
1 Cor 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
The opposing spirits have ungodly ways and words. This is how it is when relatives meet together. Often many are unsaved and have coarse language and behaviour that is not helpful to another. This proverb has meaning to me;
Prov 21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
I do not like to be around a quarrelsome person. I enjoy the quiet peace of a wilderness place, where I may commune with God. There should be a sweet peace and communion of believers in one accord at gatherings.
1 Cor 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
1 Cor 11:21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
In the Corinthian church they had "love" feasts and then they partook of the Lord's supper. These feast often were unruly and not in one heart. They did not share. Some came with little to eat , while others overindulged even unto drunkeness. This glorifies the Lord? This honours his memory? NO!
1 Cor 11:22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
Better to eat at home,then to come together and not share with those without.
Phil 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Phil 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
This selfish indulgence brings shame to God's church. Communion of the Lord's supper was to follow these "love" feasts.
The Lord's Supper
1 Cor 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
Paul received direct revelation from the Lord and possibly eyewitness testimonies of the event. Here the Lord explains the New Covenant, beginning with the bread, a symbol of his body.
1 Cor 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Unleavened bread (no yeast, a type of sin) was broken, to remind us of the broken flesh and dislocated bones of Jesus as he suffered for us. We are to break the bread together to remember his torn flesh. Note, Jesus was the passover lamb , as such no bone was broken.
Num 9:12 They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.
Read the events surrounding the first passover; (Exodus 11:4 - 12:14)
1 Cor 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
The red wine (grape juice) was taken in remembrance of Jesus' shed blood for our sins.
Those who are left behind are given a will, or testament. Jesus gave us his New testament, or will, replacing the old. Now the focus is on faith in Jesus, and his grace towards us.
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, (the law) they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Yes Jesus died, and rose from the grave proving he had power over the law of sin and death.
1 Cor 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.
This is communion, the Lord's supper which we share in remembrance of his great suffering and sacrifice for us.
1 Cor 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
Paul is referring to the feasts before the communion that the Corinthians had. Often they would have selfish indulgence to the point of drunkeness. This is no way to prepare our hearts to partake of the communion. Possibly these people were not believers, therefore they shared in the guilt of killing the Lord. Those in Christ are not guilty, justified by God.
1 Cor 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1 Cor 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
Confess anything that may block your open communion with Him. Don't try to make yourself "worthy"; as you take the bread and cup, don't stare at the floor or struggle to achieve some sort of spiritual feeling. Simply open your heart to Christ and recognize His presence with you--in you!
Irreverant treatment of the Lord's table invites God's corrective discipline--so discipline yourself first!
1 Cor 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
Ths does not refer to sleeping in church. Sleep here means death of the body, but still Jesus keeps the soul. I doubt if any reading this would be so irreverent.But we should not take lightly the Lords death for us. It is the way of eternal life for those who believe in him.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
God really loves you!!!!
Judge Yourself
1 Cor 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
We live in a very self centered "me" generation. Our God has a better plan. Become all you can be in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God that was slain to remove your sins. In him is a new life and a new heart for you. We become the loved one of a Holy Father God and we naturally want to do his will in all things.
2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
1 Cor 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
God said it; the world is condemned apart from Christ. Yes a hell awaits the sinner whose sins are not forgiven.
Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
1 Cor 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
Show love and good manners to one another.
1 Cor 11:34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come. Best to eat at home, prepare your heart and then come to the Lord's Supper prepared to receive.
Gary
1 Corinthians Chapters
1 Corinthians 12
1 Corinthians 10
1 Corinthians 1 Index