August 17 - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16
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August 17 – 1 Corinthians 11:1-16
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. 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. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. 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. 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. 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. 8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man. 9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. 10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. 12 For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God. 13 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 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. 16 But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Paul now goes deep into an issue that for most western people is culturally hard to understand. He talks about women having their heads covered when praying or prophesying and men not using a head covering. In all the years of attending church in the USA I can’t remember one time seeing anything like this in a worship service, so again it’s kind of difficult to identify with. When you run across things in the Bible that you just don’t get that’s the time to do some research and that is what I have in this case. It appears that it was an ancient custom during Paul’s day that women that were under the protection or covering of a husband use a head covering or a veil in public. Women that did not use a head covering or veil were identified as prostitutes.
Paul connects the dots for us by explaining the meaning of relational authority by saying the head of Christ is God and the head of the man is Christ and the head of the woman is the man. God has designed all relationships to have heads for both leadership and accountability. We submit to the authorities over us. So this divine order is to be seen in the Church and in the Christian home. Men are to be the leaders of their homes and are held accountable by God to be good leaders, providers and protectors of their wife and children. Today in our western culture women do not use head coverings or veils unless they happen to be Muslim. So how do we apply this principle in our Christian walk? Well, it’s more about attitude than anything else and this goes for men and women. Is our attitude a submitted posture of seeking to please the Lord by how we relate to God, our Pastor and fellow believers in the Church and in our family members at homes? Or is our attitude rebellious and defiant?
Without a piece of clothing to cover our heads you can tell what is covering people by the attitude they manifest, kind of like wearing your emotions for everyone to see what’s covering you. Is humility and love covering you or are you covered by pride and selfishness? It’s obvious to me that this practice of head coverings was a cultural norm for people back in the time that Paul wrote his letter and for this reason the literal use of head coverings really does not apply for us today. However the right attitude and humility and submission to authority always applies and when we walk with a heart set on pleasing God everyone will see what your wearing.
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Head coverings and veils were used to show that women were under the authority of a man during the times the New Testament was written.
2)Not all cultures today continue this practice.
3) Headship is all about God’s order of authority.
4) There is a divine order to all relationships based on who is your leader.
5) Today we can show we are under the covering and authority of God by the attitude we project to others.
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
ORDINATION
Remember, if you’re looking for Ministry Credentials and Ordination visit our website Diamond Institute to apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For more Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. 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. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. 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. 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. 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. 8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man. 9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. 10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. 12 For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God. 13 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 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. 16 But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Paul now goes deep into an issue that for most western people is culturally hard to understand. He talks about women having their heads covered when praying or prophesying and men not using a head covering. In all the years of attending church in the USA I can’t remember one time seeing anything like this in a worship service, so again it’s kind of difficult to identify with. When you run across things in the Bible that you just don’t get that’s the time to do some research and that is what I have in this case. It appears that it was an ancient custom during Paul’s day that women that were under the protection or covering of a husband use a head covering or a veil in public. Women that did not use a head covering or veil were identified as prostitutes.
Paul connects the dots for us by explaining the meaning of relational authority by saying the head of Christ is God and the head of the man is Christ and the head of the woman is the man. God has designed all relationships to have heads for both leadership and accountability. We submit to the authorities over us. So this divine order is to be seen in the Church and in the Christian home. Men are to be the leaders of their homes and are held accountable by God to be good leaders, providers and protectors of their wife and children. Today in our western culture women do not use head coverings or veils unless they happen to be Muslim. So how do we apply this principle in our Christian walk? Well, it’s more about attitude than anything else and this goes for men and women. Is our attitude a submitted posture of seeking to please the Lord by how we relate to God, our Pastor and fellow believers in the Church and in our family members at homes? Or is our attitude rebellious and defiant?
Without a piece of clothing to cover our heads you can tell what is covering people by the attitude they manifest, kind of like wearing your emotions for everyone to see what’s covering you. Is humility and love covering you or are you covered by pride and selfishness? It’s obvious to me that this practice of head coverings was a cultural norm for people back in the time that Paul wrote his letter and for this reason the literal use of head coverings really does not apply for us today. However the right attitude and humility and submission to authority always applies and when we walk with a heart set on pleasing God everyone will see what your wearing.
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Head coverings and veils were used to show that women were under the authority of a man during the times the New Testament was written.
2)Not all cultures today continue this practice.
3) Headship is all about God’s order of authority.
4) There is a divine order to all relationships based on who is your leader.
5) Today we can show we are under the covering and authority of God by the attitude we project to others.
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
ORDINATION
Remember, if you’re looking for Ministry Credentials and Ordination visit our website Diamond Institute to apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For more Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
