New Testament Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 11 Paul speaks of certain customs of hair and grooming—Heresies will arise which test and prove the faithful—Sacramental emblems are partaken in remembrance of the flesh and blood of Christ—Beward of partaking unworthily.
There Is An Order Under Heaven Paul here speaks of the order of heaven. In such order we are subject to follow our local 'heads' or leaders as they so follow the Lord. This is what Paul states in the first verse plainly. Not that we are to follow after a man in and of himself, but only in that he is appointed over us in the Order of Heaven, and we are subject to follow him as he follows after Christ. This inference is also implied in terms of the husband and wife. The husband is the 'ordered' head according to the Order of Heaven, but only in so far as the head is following Christ. Thus in verse 3, it might be clearer to so state that additional inference, that the wife is subject to the husband as her head is so far as he followeth Christ. And the furhter inference which is stated is that even Christ follows his leader or head, who is God the Father.
1 BE ye ^afollowers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, ^athat ye remember me in all things, and keep the ^bordinances, as I delivered them to you. 3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the ^ahead of the ^bwoman is the man; and the ^chead of Christ is God.		1^a TG Missionary Work ^b TG Gospel 2^a Romans 1:16 ^b GR hold fast to, retain
Custom or Tradition Merely Symbolizes Life's Application Aciently the tradition or custom of a women's head being covered was a similitude of the proper order under heaven. That is she is in subject to her husband as the husband is unto Christ and Christ unto God. It is not proper for a women to act as the head of a household and to usurp the position of the husband. That is not the order of heaven. The custom of the covering of the head of the women in the worship of the Lord so signified this proper order. Today that custom is not so established yet the order of heaven still applies. At one time, when women's hats were modest and not such a 'fashion' statement, there was in the church the continued custom that a women could or would wear a 'hat' in meeting. Since that no longer properly symbolized a women's recognition of the proper order of heaven, and became more of a matter of 'fashion' and pride. Hats or such coverings of a women's head in church meetings is no longer a true appropriate representative custom among us.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, *having his* head covered, dishonoureth his head^a*. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her* head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is ^aeven all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a ^ashame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.	*4^a having his* head covered, dishonoureth his head** As the man stands before God, being immediately subject to God, he ought to not cover his head before God when acting in the name of God, either praying or prophesying. Odd as it may seem the Jews cover their head before the Lord. This may will so symbolize that they consider themselves to still be under the 'head' and Law of Moses, and not so directly subject to God and the direct Holy Spirit's direction of them. They still 'honor' the 'Law', not accepting that the 'Law of Moses' having been fulfilled and ended in Christ. We as Christians so recognized that the Law of Moses is ended and that we are directly in subjection to Christ and Christ's fulfilled atonement, and not longer are to live by the law of animal sacrifice nor the old ordiances and traditions of the Law of Moses.	1^a TG Missionary Work ^b TG Gospel 2^a Romans 1:16 ^b GR hold fast to, retain
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God^a: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.	7^a he is the image and glory of God That man is the very image and also the glory of God needs be understood. That is mankind is of the race of God, we are created in the very image of God. We are the children of God. Head, shoulders, knees and toes; eyes, ears, mouth and nose; that image is the very image of God. And that our physical bodies of this temporal creation are our housing in the very image of the spirit born of God, which we are, as the temple or tabernacle in which our Godly spirit being dwells ought to be well understood. And it is the very 'work and glory' of God to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39). That is God is maturating his children, proving them worthy to become even as He is, a Celestial being, of celestial and immortal flesh and bone, with body, parts and passions united to, that is made one with and in subjection to the spirit within, which is that spirit obtain from being the spirit offspring of God the Father of Spirits.	1^a TG Missionary Work ^b TG Gospel 2^a Romans 1:16 ^b GR hold fast to, retain
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless neither is the ^aman without the woman, neither the ^bwoman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves: is it ^acomely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long ^ahair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
16 But if any man seem to be ^acontentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. 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.
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the ^achurch, I hear that there be ^bdivisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also ^aheresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
Paul Speaks Against Eating of the Sacrament As a Common Meal
20 When ye come together therefore into one place, ^athis is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the ^achurch of God, and ^bshame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
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 ^abread: 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 ^aremembrance of me. 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.
26 For as often as ye eat this ^abread, and drink this cup, ye do ^bshew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this ^abread, and drink this cup of the Lord, ^bunworthily, shall ^cbe ^dguilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man ^aexamine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh ^aunworthily, eateth and drinketh ^bdamnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would ^ajudge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are ^achastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 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.