Last time we concluded the last half of

I Corinthians 10 with these thoughts

 

(1 Cor 10:31) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. {32} Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, {33} just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

 

The chapter hasn’t been about rights.

It’s been about being willing to give up rights

for the sake of saving someone who might not understand your rights, or what is right.

 

Paul was willing to concede rights to the weak or uninformed.

He was not willing to yield to those who were teaching, or insisting on false teaching.

There is a difference!

 

Paul was a great man with a very unselfish Attitude. 

We would do well to follow his example.

 

 

(1 Cor 11:1 NKJV)

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

(1 Cor 11:1 KJV)

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

(Phil 3:17 NKJV)

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

 

I find these thoughts to be a tremendous example and pattern!

I find it a tremendous challenge to try to live in such as way that we can tell others: follow me!

The truth is:  someone is following us, whether we know it or not.

 

Of our three sons, Andy is most like me.  When he does great, I like to think: “He’s just like me!”

When does something I’d rather he hadn’t, I sometimes have to say: “He’s just like me!”

 

Someone or several “someone’s” are probably following you.  Let’s be careful how we walk!

 

And we are reminded of what Paul had just said:

(1 Cor 10:31) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

 

(1 Cor 11:2) Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

 

(KJV): “keep the ordinances,”

(NASV) hold firmly to the traditions,

(NIV) holding to the teachings,

 

Thayer definition:

2) a giving over which is done by word of mouth or in writing, i.e. tradition by instruction, narrative, precept, etc.

2a) objectively, that which is delivered, the substance of a teaching

 

Taking this with the context, I believe the emphasis is on the way of delivery:  “a giving over which is done by word of mouth,”  but it was “the substance of a teaching” that was important.

  We are still left with the question:

Is this doctrine, practice, or tradition (custom)?

Background Information Follows:

 

(1 Cor 11:3) But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

 

So put it in order:

God

Christ

Man

Woman

 

(I Cor 11:4) Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

 

Covering the head was a custom of that day which showed submission.  According to the order that is given above, man is over the woman.  To cover his head puts him on a level with her, and would be dishonoring to “his head.”

 

 (1 Cor 11:5) But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.

“Dishonors her head” is somewhat in reverse of the man.  The man dishonors his head by lowering himself to the role of the woman.  The woman dishonors her head by assuming authority she doesn’t have.

 

(1 Cor 11:6) For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.

 

Paul’s argument here appears to be based on reason:  If she is going to claim the authority of a man, then let her cut her hair like a man.  Let her “be shorn or shaved, [or] let her be covered.”  Restore consistency:  Let her be like a woman and be covered, or if she wants to act like a man, wear a man’s hair cut.

 

(1 Cor 11:7)  For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

 

(Gen 1:26 NKJV)  Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;”

 

To be completely honest, the passage continues:

 

(Gen 1:27) So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

 

But to complete the thought of Paul, it was the man who was formed first, and Paul continues his thought:

 

(1 Cor 11:8) For man is not from woman, but woman from man. {9} Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.

 

(Gen 2:20 NKJV)  . . . But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.  {21}  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. {22} Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

 

Clearly, these verses bear out what Paul was talking about as far as order of creation is concerned.

 

(1 Cor 11:10) For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.  

 

What is this verse talking about as far as angels are concerned.  Paul covers the topic very briefly, so we are lead to believe that he doesn’t think of this as a complicated, or even a new thought.  What is the meaning?  Apparently, we are to understand that angels are present with us in our times of worship.  We are not to offend them by violating the principles that are intended to show respect.  Respect of women for men.

 

But what is “a symbol of authority on her head”?  It is obviously what has been being discussed:  a covering!  The head covering is a symbol of the man’s authority over the woman.

 

(1 Cor 11:11) Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord.

 

 

(1 Cor 11:12) For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.

 

 

(1 Cor 11:13) Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?

 

“Judge among yourselves.”  How can they do this?  It is apparently from their culture.

 

(1 Cor 11:14) Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? {15} But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.

 

Nature here seems a bit more authoritative than custom which can change with time.

(1 Cor 11:16) But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

 

The statement is a bit difficult to translate with absolute authority, but we can make the following observations:

 

1.  In general, we should not be contentious about things in the church.

2.  It may be that this entire discussion has been basically about customs of their day.

 

The first part of this chapter has dealt with the role of men and women, and ways of women showing that they are “under” the man.

 

 

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