I Corinthians Study I Corinthians 11:1-34 Women at Worship; The Lord’s Supper

We come now to the end of the subject regarding Christian liberty which began in Chapter 8 and extending to Chapter 11:1.  Paul begins Chapter 11:1-2 by extending praise to the Corinthians for obeying the ordinances.  This church had been a follower of Paul, who was a follower of Christ.  In verse 3, Paul conveyed an important principle – a principle that will erase much confusion, for verse 3 says: “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.”

Paul states that when a man prays or prophesies, he is not to cover his head (v. 4).  Man was to have his head uncovered as a sign of honor to Christ, the head of man.  Moreover, every woman that prays and prophesies, was to have her head covered, for in doing so, she displays honor to her head, the man (vv. 5-6).  Again, if a woman does not wear a covering, she dishonors her husband.

In verses 7-9, man was not to have his head covered because he was the image and glory of God.  A woman’s (a wife’s) glory and image was derived from and complementary to that of the man (her husband).  Man was God’s authoritative representative who found in a woman his complement in fulfilling his role.  In this sense she as wife is the glory of man, her husband.  Women having their heads covered were a testimony to angels who were watching as spectators (v. 10).  Paul continues to convey how inseparable is the marriage relationship (vv. 11-13).

From verses 14-16, in the first century and culture of that day, long hair was regarded as feminine; therefore, it was a shame for man to have long hair.  Women of that culture would not think of cutting off their hair and appearing in public.  They would be ashamed and in some significant way would deny their identity as women.  What is important is that our appearance should reflect that we are children of God!

In connection with verses 17-19, Paul stated that when the Corinthian church came together there was division among them for which Paul did not praise them.  Paul said that there were heresies among them and many of those approved were made manifest.  To understand verse 20, a “love feast” preceded the Lord’s Supper, and it was impossible for the Corinthians to celebrate the Lord’s Supper because of the way they conducted themselves at the “love feast.”

In essence, the early church often held a “love feast,” a fellowship meal, before partaking of the Lord’s Supper.  During the fellowship meal, the poor would be hungry, and another would be drunk.  Paul’s command to them was to eat at home!  If believers do not share and love one another, they can never partake of the Lord’s Supper and be blessed! (vv. 21-22).  Paul says again, “Shall I praise you in this?  I praise you not.”

From verses 23-34, Paul received direct revelation from the Lord concerning the institution of the Lord’s Supper, which was to be observed at night.  The breaking of bread signified the broken body of our Lord, and the wine symbolized the shed blood of our Saviour.  When we share the Lord’s Supper, we are commemorating what Christ has done for us over two thousand years ago.

As believers, we must make sure that we would not partake of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner by having all know sins confessed before we participate in the Lord’s Supper observance.  It is important that we judge ourselves so that we will not be chastened by the Lord.  Finally, Paul admonished the brethren to eat at home, and other matters Paul will address when he visits them.

May God Bless!