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1 Corinthians 11

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1Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you. 3But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. 5But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved. 6For if a woman is not covered, let her hair also be cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or be shaved, let her be covered. 7For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man. 8For man is not from woman, but woman from man; 9for man wasn’t created for the woman, but woman for the man. 10For this cause the woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. 11Nevertheless, neither is the woman independent of the man, nor the man independent of the woman, in the Lord. 12For as woman came from man, so a man also comes through a woman; but all things are from God. 13Judge for yourselves. Is it appropriate that a woman pray to God unveiled? 14Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering. 16But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God’s assemblies. 17But in giving you this command, I don’t praise you, that you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18For first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it. 19For there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you. 20When therefore you assemble yourselves together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21For in your eating each one takes his own supper first. One is hungry, and another is drunken. 22What, don’t you have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise God’s assembly, and put them to shame who don’t have enough? What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don’t praise you. 23For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. 24When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” 25In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. 29For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body. 30For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. 31For if we discerned ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are punished by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 33Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest your coming together be for judgment. The rest I will set in order whenever I come.

World English Bible (public domain)

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

1 Corinthians 11:26

Summary

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul addresses two main concerns related to worship and church practices. First, he discusses the issue of head coverings in prayer and prophecy, emphasizing the importance of honoring cultural norms within the church. Paul explains that men should not cover their heads when praying or prophesying, while women should, to show respect and maintain order. He ties these practices to the creation order and the interdependence of men and women, encouraging respect for God's design and appropriateness in worship practices. The second part of the chapter addresses the manner in which the Corinthians were observing the Lord's Supper. Paul reproves the church for divisions and inappropriate behavior during the meal, reminding them of the original purpose and sacred nature of this act, which proclaims the Lord's death until he returns. He stresses the need for self-examination and proper discernment to avoid judgment and instead partake in a worthy manner. By correcting these issues, Paul ensures that the worship practices reflect unity, respect, and remembrance of Christ. The theological significance of this chapter lies in its teaching on church order and unity, underscoring the importance of following traditions and commands with the right heart. It emphasizes understanding cultural expressions of faith without losing sight of the gospel's core message, while offering profound insights into the meaning of communion as a communal declaration of faith.

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Chapter outline

How 1 Corinthians 11 unfolds

  1. 1 Corinthians 11:1–2 Imitating Christ and Holding Traditions

    Paul encourages the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitates Christ, praising them for remembering and adhering to the traditions he taught.

  2. 1 Corinthians 11:3–10 Head Coverings and Authority

    Paul discusses the cultural significance of head coverings during prayer and prophecy, linking it to the created order and authority relationships between men and women.

  3. 1 Corinthians 11:11–16 Interdependence of Men and Women

    Paul emphasizes the mutual dependence of men and women in the Lord, stating that both genders have unique roles but are equally important.

  4. 1 Corinthians 11:17–22 Divisions in the Church

    Paul reproaches the Corinthians for their divisions during communal meals, indicating that their gatherings are not fostering unity or honoring the Lord.

  5. 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 The Institution of the Lord's Supper

    Paul recounts the Last Supper, highlighting its significance as a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and the proclamation of His death.

  6. 1 Corinthians 11:27–32 Worthy Participation in Communion

    Paul warns against partaking in the Lord's Supper unworthily, urging self-examination to avoid judgment and to discern the body of Christ.

  7. 1 Corinthians 11:33–34 Order During the Meal

    Paul concludes by instructing the Corinthians to wait for one another during meals and to eat at home if they are hungry, aiming for communal respect.

Key verses

  • 1 Corinthians 11:26This key verse captures the essence of the Lord's Supper as a communal proclamation of faith and remembrance.

Main themes in 1 Corinthians 11

Unity in Worship

The theme of unity in worship appears as Paul addresses divisions during communal meals in verses 17-22. He emphasizes that their gatherings should reflect the Lord's purpose, not chaos or individualism. This theme underscores the need for the church to embody unity as a reflection of the body of Christ.

Respect for Tradition

Respect for tradition is woven throughout the chapter, especially in Paul's call to uphold the teachings he delivered in verse 2. He links cultural practices, like head coverings, to the broader tradition of honoring God’s design, showing how traditions help maintain order in worship. This respect for tradition frames the church’s identity and continuity in faith.

Order in the Church

Order in the church is emphasized in 1 Corinthians 11, especially through Paul’s instructions regarding head coverings in verses 3-16 and the conduct during the Lord's Supper in verses 17-22. Paul underscores the importance of maintaining proper authority and mutual respect among members, which fosters a conducive environment for worship and community. This emphasis on order not only enhances the church's internal dynamics but also strengthens its witness to the broader society.

Significance of the Lord's Supper

The significance of the Lord's Supper is central in verses 23-26, where Paul recounts its institution by Jesus, emphasizing remembrance and proclamation of His death. He ties the act to a communal aspect, urging the Corinthians to approach it with reverence. This sacrament serves as a profound connection to Christ and to one another.

Cross-references

Passages that echo 1 Corinthians 11

Study questions

Questions for studying 1 Corinthians 11

  1. What does Paul mean by being an imitator of Christ in verse 1?
  2. How does Paul connect head coverings to authority in verses 3-10?
  3. What implications does the interdependence of men and women have for worship practices?
  4. Why does Paul critique the divisions among the Corinthians in verses 17-22?
  5. What is the significance of remembering Christ's death during the Lord's Supper?
  6. How does self-examination relate to participating in communion according to Paul?
  7. What practical steps does Paul suggest for maintaining order during meals in verse 34?

1 Corinthians 11: frequently asked questions

What is 1 Corinthians 11 about?+
In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul addresses two main concerns related to worship and church practices. First, he discusses the issue of head coverings in prayer and prophecy, emphasizing the importance of honoring cultural norms within the church. Paul explains that men should not cover their heads when praying or prophesying, while women should, to show respect and maintain order. He ties these practices to the creation order and the interdependence of men and women, encouraging respect for God's design and appropriateness in worship practices. The second part of the chapter addresses the manner in which the Corinthians were observing the Lord's Supper. Paul reproves the church for divisions and inappropriate behavior during the meal, reminding them of the original purpose and sacred nature of this act, which proclaims the Lord's death until he returns. He stresses the need for self-examination and proper discernment to avoid judgment and instead partake in a worthy manner. By correcting these issues, Paul ensures that the worship practices reflect unity, respect, and remembrance of Christ. The theological significance of this chapter lies in its teaching on church order and unity, underscoring the importance of following traditions and commands with the right heart. It emphasizes understanding cultural expressions of faith without losing sight of the gospel's core message, while offering profound insights into the meaning of communion as a communal declaration of faith.
What is the key verse in 1 Corinthians 11?+
1 Corinthians 11:26: "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."
What are the main themes of 1 Corinthians 11?+
The main themes of 1 Corinthians 11 are Unity in Worship, Respect for Tradition, Order in the Church, Significance of the Lord's Supper.

Related chapters

Chapters that connect with 1 Corinthians 11

Study Notes