1 Corinthians 11:2-16 Worship Roles (Part II)

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1 Corinthians 11:2-16 

1. The Principle
   1. 1 Timothy 2:11-14 “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.” 

1. 2. 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 “As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.” 

1. 3. 1 Corinthians 11:3 “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife/woman is her husband/man, and the head of Christ is God.”

1. 4. 1 Corinthians 11:7-9 “For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.” 
   5. Conclusion: 

2. The Text
   1. Verses 4-6 “Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. Every wife/woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife/woman to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head.” Observations/conclusions:
      1. The circumstance addressed is praying or prophesying. There is no other circumstance mentioned. It is when a person is actively using this gift, not when listening or being instructed by the gift.

2. 1. 2. The circumstance is not in an assembly of the church in which gifts are used in instructing the church. Cf. 1 Cor. 14:33-35.

2. 1. 3. “Her head” would be husband/man. “His head” would be Christ.

2. 1. 4. A woman uncovered while praying or prophesying is the same as…
         cutting her hair short or shaving her head. Cf. vs. 13.
         In the same way, a man having his head covered while praying or prophesying dishonors his head and is the same as having long hair. Cf. vs. 14.
      5. Compare Exodus 28:4; Leviticus 16:4. Priests were to cover their heads.

2. 2. Verses 7-9 “For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.” Observations/conclusions/questions: 

1. 1. 1. Man is respecting his position as a reflection of Christ and the position Christ gave him. Woman is respecting the man and the position Christ gave her.

2. 2. 2. This is the order of creation, the original purpose of each. Having or not having a covering reflected God’s original purpose.

2. 3. Verse 10 “That is why a wife/woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.” Compare Jude 6. Observations/conclusions: 

1. 1. 1. See Jude 6 Angels left their proper domain and own position of authority.

2. 3. 2. Matthew 18:10 Angels report to God

2. 4. Verses 11-12 “Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things re from God.” Observations/conclusions: 

1. 1. 1. Paul is agreeing that there is equality between men and women. 

2. 4. 2. Can you draw a conclusion about what the Corinthian women were doing?
         Were women realizing their new freedom in Christ – “neither male nor female, all are one in Christ.” But that did not change the roles, and those roles cannot be violated since they were the purpose from the beginning.

2. 5. Verses 13-15 “Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.”  Observations: 
      1. Even though Paul had not given specific instruction, the Corinthians would have been able to discern the principle.

2. 5. 2. How would you answer Paul’s two rhetorical questions:
         We would answer these questions the very opposite of Paul’s expectation of the Corinthians. Culture!

2. 6. Verse 16 “But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.” (1 Corinthians 11:16 NASB) Observations: 
      1. All the churches followed the same principle. The Corinthians were not special, nor was Paul putting something on them that was not what he expected from all the churches.

2. 6. 2. Paul has reminded the Corinthians repeatedly that what he is teaching them he has been teaching all the churches.

Berry Kercheville