1 Corinthians 11

Monday, 10 November 2014

Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 1 Corinthians 11:14

Paul brings in “nature itself” as a witness to his instruction. This is based on his previous verse which called out, “Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?” Just as it was obvious to those in Corinth concerning that issue, so this one is obvious as well. His words about natural revelation are that “if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?”

If one is a great traveler, they will come to the conclusion that wherever he goes and in whatever culture he finds himself, it is normally rather easy to distinguish men from women. One doesn’t travel to the heights of Tibet and find this to be untrue. Nor does one travel to the deepest jungles of Africa and find it to be untrue. Men and women are usually easily distinguished between one another. And the general distinction is that of hair. How the hair is worn generally makes the first notable distinction between the sexes.

Paul’s observation, based on nature, is again “if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him.” This thought however needs to be taken and contemplated with extreme care lest a discouraging line of legalism enter into one’s theology. First, the natural question should be, “What is to define ‘long hair’ on a man?” Is it more than a marine-style jarhead haircut? Is it more than one inch? Is hair on the collar a dishonor? What if hair goes to past the neck? What if…. what if (perish the thought!) the hair is found to touch the shoulders? Just what is the definition of “long hair?”

It must be misunderstood that the Bible never contradicts itself. However, the following people were Nazirites from birth (a consecration detailed in Numbers 6) and never cut their hair throughout their entire lives – Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist. Amos 2:12 indicates there were other Nazirites in Israel, and even Paul took such a vow in Acts 18:18. If some of these men of God never cut their hair and others didn’t cut it for extended periods of time, then how can Paul’s words be reconciled with hair that goes past the top of the ear (as so many legalistically minded people seem to define “long hair”)?

Having long hair, in and of itself, cannot be a shame or dishonor to a man because men of God were known to have had long hair. Therefore, this would be a contradiction in the Bible. Understanding this, it must be the appearance of the long hair which is dishonoring to his head.  If a man looks like a woman, then he has passed from manliness to femininity. This, in and of itself then, would be dishonoring to him. It would be in then line with the precept found in Deuteronomy 22:5 for example –

“A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.”

Men are men and women are women. God intends for men to look like men and He intends for women to look like women. Further, the actions of the man are to be manly actions and the actions of a woman are to be feminine. These concepts are stated implicitly throughout Scripture. Therefore, it must be that Paul is referring to an appearance of femininity concerning long hair in this verse. If long hair causes a man to appear to be a female, then he has assumed an appearance which would place him in a point of subjection as described in the earlier verses of this passage. But man is to be under the Headship of Christ, thus honoring Him directly.

If a man has a beard, no matter how long his hair is, he will certainly not be mistaken for a woman. However, if the long hair on a man becomes the primary point of identifying him as a female, then he has brought shame upon himself.

Life application: Who decides in your church how long your hair can be? If someone is walking around with a ruler and checking length, he probably has more serious problems that should be watched. Legalism is a poison which can only bring about a congregation full of neurotic people. In all precepts, taking the time to think the issue through from a “let Scripture interpret Scripture” viewpoint will generally lead to healthy, happy congregations.

What a joy! Thank You O God for the freedoms You have given me in Christ. Way too often I hear people of the world claiming that faith in Him is some type of bondage or some type of joy-limiting walk. But the closer I get to You, the more freedom I find. Surely a person can serve only one master and I know that sin is a raging, destroying enemy. But You are a kind, gentle Lord. The further I am from sin, the closer I am to perfect freedom. Thank You for the gentle yoke of Christ. Thank You for the wide and expansive pastures to which You are leading me! Amen.

Sunday, 9 November 2014

Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 1 Corinthians 11:13

Paul asks the Corinthians to judge, to make a correct decision, concerning this matter. When Paul says “judge among yourselves” he is asking them to see how obvious the matter is; there should be no question as to a right determination. Because of the context, he expects the reader to understand that it is not proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered. It is a rhetorical question which demands a “No” answer.  A woman dishonors her head when she does so.

Going further, the petition isn’t merely to “judge” but to “Judge among yourselves.” An open judgment among the people will show what the individual heart may attempt to hide. As an example to understand the universal nature of this, or any such issue, we can look at the issue of abortion. People make claims about the propriety of abortion all the time. They even do it in public forums. However, if two or more people were in an honest debate on the issue – one without personal attacks or red herrings, the truth would come out.

If one were to ask, openly and frankly from a natural perspective (which is what Paul is doing concerning the issue he is addressing) as to the morality of removing a live baby from a woman and murdering it, the proponents of abortion would have no true argument. Unfortunately, the morality of the issue is never addressed in this manner. Rather “legality” or “personal feelings” are inevitably introduced and the abortion issue continues to cast its deathly pall over society.

Paul is using the same tactic here. He could ask, “Is it legal for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?” The answer, at least within Christian circles, is certainly “Yes.” He could ask, “How do you personally feel about the issue?” If he did, he would receive all kinds of responses and the most vocal group would prevail, regardless of propriety. However, he returns to the very basics of the issue. He first shows the nature of the Godhead itself. He then shows the nature of propriety within creation. And finally, he asks his question. He cuts out the argument before it begins and so his answer to their question will not need further clarification or explanation later.

If only we would follow the same pattern in our own moral decisions we would have them more in-line with what is right and proper in the eyes of the Creator. Unfortunately, Christianity in great measure has become a religion of personal likes and dislikes and of clinging to what is legal instead of what is moral. Rather than following these temporary avenues, the Christian should pursue personal (and corporate) obedience to God and to His word.

Life application: Am I discerning the obvious when I read the Bible and making correct decisions based on this discernment? Or am I overlooking exhortations which apply to me without giving them proper consideration? Am I trying to insert my personal likes and dislikes at the expense of right doctrine? If so, Lord – please change my heart.

Heavenly Father, please continue to instruct me properly in Your word. Help my moral choices to be based on Your right thinking rather than on the convoluted and unholy thinking which permeates the world in which I live. If I am to be a cast off from the world for sticking to Your word, at least I’ll have You there with me as I walk the lonely path to glory. Thank You for hearing my prayer. Thank You for being attentive to it. Amen.

Saturday, 8 November 2014

For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God. 1 Corinthians 11:12

This verse begins with “For.” Paul has taken a broad concept and is bringing it down to very specific points to be considered. Because of the delicate nature of this passage, it would be good to stop, go back, and review the main prepositions and conjunctions as they are given to show us the sequence of thought from the beginning of the passage.

Remember particularly that this is considered a “tradition” established through the apostles for the church. It is not merely a “cultural” thing which pertained only to the Corinthians, but it is an expected propriety during all of the church age. Note the main thought of verse 2 which is to “keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you” and remember it while considering each highlighted word while reading –

“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.

In the first half of verse 12, Paul builds on verses 11:8 and 11:11. In the second half of the verse, he reminds the Corinthians (and thus all readers) that both men and women are not independent of God, but are subject to Him as the creation is to the Creator. The mystery of God’s ways is demonstrated here.  Eve was taken from Adam’s side, but man since then has come through woman.

A point that should not be missed is that even Christ came through a woman who came from both a man and a woman. Christ is the Head of man, but man fell and all who are born of man are fallen in Adam. However, because Christ came through a woman but not directly from man, the fallen nature of Adam was cut in Him. It is the fulfillment of the picture made by the rite of circumcision. The cutting of the male organ was a picture of cutting away the sin nature of man.

Eventually, Christ came and fulfilled that picture. Now, when one calls on Him, they move from Adam to Christ and thus the sin nature is likewise cut in that person. Therefore, Christ is our Head and therefore we owe Him the respect of staying within the parameters of what His word mandates for us. And so the coming verses concerning hair and head coverings are given to show us what is right and proper. Paul has shown in this discourse why it is so.

Life application: What may seem arbitrary and unnecessary in a command or exhortation is often not so when properly understood. Taking the time to review passages and looking for key markers within each passage will help us to solidify our understanding of why things are expected. In the end, it should always come back to what is honoring to our Lord.

What a wonderful thing it is to walk in Your presence O God! No matter where I am and no matter what I’m doing, I know that You are there with me. When the day is long and frustrating, if I just stop for a moment and remember this, things get easier and make more sense. When things are going well, the thought makes them even better because I realize that the blessings weren’t accidental, but really gifts from You. No matter what the situation, it is always better when I remember that You are right here with me. Thank You for Your gracious hand upon me heavenly Father. Amen.

Friday, 7 November 2014

Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:11

Paul’s words thus far have shown that there is an understood hierarchy that exists between men and women. Because of this hierarchy, there are restrictions and rules which are to be adhered to in this relationship. However, Paul begins verse 11 with the word “nevertheless.”

The introduction of this word is to have the reader stop and consider what he will present next. They are words which indicate that even if there are defined lines of authority in the male/female relationship, they are not to be abused. Care is to be exercised so that this relationship isn’t harmed or somehow perverted in a way which degrades the female. And so he says, “neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord.”

The fact is, despite a hierarchal relationship, men and women in the Lord need each other and compliment each other. In Genesis 2:23, 24, it says –

And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.”

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Since that time, all men have been born of a woman. Men and women have an undeniable natural interdependency, and though woman is subordinated to man in the family and in the church, it is a subordination intended for order and propriety, not for heavy-handed rule or abuse. The need for a woman to continue the species is seen in a notable way in the book of Ruth. When Ruth, Naomi’s stepdaughter, had a son the women of Bethlehem rightfully called out the value of Ruth saying –

“…for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” Ruth 4:15

What seven sons could never have done without a woman, namely bearing a child, Ruth was able to do in her union to Boaz. As is evident here and throughout Scripture, the subordination of women is not without purpose and their importance is not only noted, but highlighted.

Life application: If you are in a discussion with a modern feminist and they tell you the tired old line that the Bible diminishes the role of women, tell them to quit with the clichés, read the Bible for themselves, and grow up.

Lord God, thank You for the women in my life. There is a continuous and unbroken stream of them from the first woman, Eve, all the way down to my wonderful mother. And then… kapow! You gave me a wife to cherish, love, protect, and make great dinners for me. I can’t imagine life without her. And in due time, along came a daughter as well. She is a joy to my life and a blessing to those who know her. What a great God You are to have created woman for man. They sure are swell! Amen.

Thursday, 6 November 2014

For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 1 Corinthians 11:10

“For this reason” is referring to the hierarchy mentioned in verse 9. The covering mentioned earlier is a symbol of authority over the woman. Based on this statement, we can then interpret the meaning of “head” from verse 11:5 as “authority” and not the physical head. An example of this is found later in Paul’s writings in 1 Timothy 2:12 –

“And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.”

This “covering” shows the authority placed over her and therefore what Paul writes in 1 Timothy is both explicit and expected. The modern church which is inundated with women pastors, preachers, teachers, reverends, and the like is therefore in willful disobedience of the word of the Lord. There can be no rewards for disobedience, and so the work they are doing, even if it brings others to Christ, will only bring self-inflicted loss.

Paul then explains this by saying, “because of the angels.” What exactly does this mean? There is no verse elsewhere in Scripture that explicitly refers to this statement. A search of several sound and notable Bible commentaries indicates the following:

“Thus would the apostle have the women appear In Christian assemblies, even though they spoke there by inspiration, because of the angels, that is, say some, because of the evil angels. The woman was first in the transgression, being deceived by the devil (1 Tim. ii. 14)), which increased her subjection to man, Gen. iii. 16. Now, believe evil angels will be sure to mix in all Christian assemblies, therefore should women wear the token of their shamefacedness and subjection, which in that age and country, was a veil. Others say because of the good angels. Jews and Christians have had an opinion that these ministering spirits are many of them present in their assemblies. Their presence should restrain Christians from all indecencies in the worship of God. Note, We should learn from all to behave in the public assemblies of divine worship so as to express a reverence for God, and a content and satisfaction with that rank in which he has placed us.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the whole Bible

“What this means, I do not yet understand.” The Geneva Bible

(In a lengthy discourse on the subject) – “I do not know what it means; and I regard it as one of the very few passages in the Bible whose meaning as yet is wholly inexplicable.” Barnes Notes on the New Testament

“…who are present at our Christian assemblies (compare Ps 138:1, “gods,” that is, angels), and delight in the orderly subordination of the several ranks of God’s worshippers in their respective places, the outward demeanor and dress of the latter being indicative of that inward humility which angels know to be most pleasing to their common Lord (1 Co 4:9; Eph 3:10; Ec 5:6). HAMMOND quotes CHRYSOSTOM, “Thou standest with angels; thou singest with them; thou hymnest with them; and yet dost thou stand laughing?” BENGEL explains, “As the angels are in relation to God, so the woman is in relation to man. God’s face is uncovered; angels in His presence are veiled (Isa 6:2). Man’s face is uncovered; woman in His presence is to be veiled. For her not to be so, would, by its indecorousness, offend the angels (Mt 18:10, 31). She, by her weakness, especially needs their ministry; she ought, therefore, to be the more careful not to offend them.” Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown

“The insubordination of women in refusing to acknowledge the authority of their husbands would offend the angels who, under God, guard the created universe (cf. Col 1:16; Eph 1:21), and know no insubordination.” The Wycliffe Bible Commentary

The commentaries from the Geneva Bible and Barnes above are probably the most honest commentaries on this subject, although they don’t help very much. Due to the variance of opinion on the matter, and the lack of direct scriptural links which actually support the statement, there is truly no harm in stating “I don’t know what this means.” However, the comment by Matthew Henry and the “evil angels” makes at least partial sense.

In the end, Paul knew what he was writing and the Corinthians at that time understood it. Because of this, we can trust that the statement “because of the angels” is valid in an of itself, even if it isn’t fully understood. It is a tenet which we can know is both sound and reasonable.

Life application: Even if we don’t fully understand “why” tenets are given in the Bible, or further – even if we don’t understand the explanation given for the “why,” if we understand the directive then we need to be obedient to that directive. Not understanding why something is directed is not an excuse to disobey the command.

Lord, I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t completely understand the reason for some of the things You have told us to do in Your word. But I have enough sense to know that not understanding “why” isn’t a reason to be disobedient to You. You are God and I am man.

Maybe someday I will understand the “why”
But until then I will still comply

When You direct me in something, it is my duty to do it without question or complaint. All glory to You! Amen.