(The Lord speaking is red text)
Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
Nevertheless, in union with the Lord neither is woman independent of man nor is man independent of woman;
In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.
Nevertheless, neither is the woman without the man, nor the man without the woman, in the Lord.
Nevertheless{G4133} neither{G3777} is the man{G435} without{G5565} the woman{G1135}, neither{G3777} the woman{G1135} without{G5565} the man{G435}, in{G1722} the Lord{G2962}.
1 Corinthians 11:11 is part of a larger passage in the New Testament where the Apostle Paul is addressing the church in Corinth regarding proper conduct within the worship assembly, specifically concerning head coverings and the roles of men and women. The verse reads, "Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord."
In the historical context of the first century, gender roles were sharply defined, and in religious settings, women were often marginalized. Paul's writings to the Corinthians reflect both the cultural norms of the time and his desire to convey the teachings of Christianity, which often challenged those norms. In this verse, Paul emphasizes mutual interdependence between men and women within the Christian community, known as the body of Christ.
The themes of 1 Corinthians 11:11 include interdependence, unity, and equality in the Lord. Paul acknowledges that men and women need each other and are interconnected in the eyes of God. This interdependence is rooted in their shared identity in Christ, suggesting that despite cultural distinctions in roles or functions, believers are fundamentally equal in their spiritual standing before God. Paul's message here serves to remind the Corinthian church, and by extension the broader Christian community, that both genders are vital to the functioning and health of the church and that they should respect and honor one another as co-heirs in Christ.
This verse is often cited in discussions about gender roles within Christianity, with some interpreting it as a call for mutual submission and others seeing it as an affirmation of complementary roles within a framework of spiritual equality. It reflects the tension between cultural traditions and the transformative message of the Gospel, which seeks to break down barriers and unite believers in Christ.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)