1 Corinthians11

Paul addresses two significant issues in Corinth: the proper order of headship and conduct during worship, particularly concerning head coverings, and the abuses surrounding the Lord's Supper. He establishes a hierarchy where Christ is the head of man, and man is the head of woman, instructing on the symbolic significance of head coverings based on creation. Furthermore, Paul condemns their selfish and divisive practices during the communal meal, reminding them of the solemn institution and purpose of the Lord's Supper, urging self-examination and worthy participation to avoid judgment.

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Imitate Paul as He Follows Christ

You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

Now I commend you for remembering me in everything and for maintaining the traditions, just as I passed them on to you.

Headship and Distinctions in Worship

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.

And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved.

If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. And if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.

A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.

For man did not come from woman, but woman from man.

Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.

For this reason a woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels.

In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.

For just as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?

Doesn’t nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,

but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.

If anyone is inclined to dispute this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God.

Condemnation of Divisions at Meals

In the following instructions I have no praise to offer, because your gatherings do more harm than good.

First of all, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.

And indeed, there must be differences among you to show which of you are approved.

Now then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat.

For as you eat, each of you goes ahead without sharing his meal. While one remains hungry, another gets drunk.

Don’t you have your own homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What can I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? No, I will not!

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread,

and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

Warning Against Unworthy Participation

Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.

For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment.

But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

So, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you come together it will not result in judgment. And when I come, I will give instructions about the remaining matters.

Study Notes for 1 Corinthians 11

Verse 1

Paul establishes his authority and example, grounding his instructions not in personal preference but in the pattern set by Christ, setting the tone for the practical commands that follow.

Verse 2

Paul offers initial praise for their adherence to traditions, softening the approach before he addresses the serious disorder and abuses that follow.

Verse 3

This verse establishes a theological hierarchy (God -> Christ -> Man -> Woman), foundational to Paul's argument about maintaining appropriate distinctions and roles in public worship.

Verse 4

A man praying or prophesying uncovered signifies respect for Christ, his ultimate head. Covering the head was often a sign of subordination in Greco-Roman culture, inappropriate for the man who represents God’s glory (v. 7).

Verse 5

To pray or prophesy uncovered dishonors the woman's head (her husband or the authority structure). Shaving the head was a sign of shame, often associated with prostitution or severe punishment.

Verse 7

Paul connects the man’s uncovered head to the creation narrative (Genesis 1), where man is created directly as the 'image and glory of God,' while the woman’s glory is derived from the man.

Verse 10

The phrase 'power on her head' refers to the covering, symbolizing her authority (or subjection to authority). The reference to 'because of the angels' is debated, possibly meaning angels observe proper order in worship.

Verse 11

Paul balances the hierarchy (vv. 3-10) with the essential mutuality of men and women 'in the Lord,' emphasizing their interdependence and equal spiritual standing in Christ.

Verse 15

Paul introduces a cultural/natural argument: long hair functions as a natural covering. This suggests that the custom Paul advocates is rooted in modesty and gender distinction apparent in creation.

Verse 16

This serves as a concluding statement, emphasizing that if anyone wishes to argue, the consistent practice ('custom') of the universal church supports Paul’s directive.

Verse 17

Paul shifts topics abruptly to address a more grievous fault: their communal gatherings are causing harm rather than spiritual benefit.

Verse 18

The 'church' (Gk. *ekklesia*) here refers specifically to the gathering of believers. The divisions (*schismata*) were visible during corporate worship, particularly at the communal meal.

Verse 19

Paul suggests that factions (*haireseis*, often translated ‘heresies’) serve a positive, albeit unintended, purpose: revealing who is genuine and approved by God.

Verse 20

The communal meal was so corrupted by selfish behavior (v. 21) that it no longer resembled the sacred commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice, thus it was 'not to eat the Lord’s supper.'

Verse 21

The wealthy were arriving early and consuming their own abundant provisions, leaving the poorer members hungry and shaming them, contradicting the spirit of Christian fellowship.

Verse 23

Paul asserts the apostolic authority of his teaching by citing direct tradition received 'from the Lord,' confirming the divine origin of the communion practice.

Verse 25

The 'new testament' (or covenant) emphasizes that Christ’s blood inaugurated the new covenant relationship between God and humanity, fulfilling the promises of Jeremiah 31:31.

Verse 26

The Lord’s Supper is both a commemorative act and a public proclamation ('show the Lord’s death') of the gospel, active until Christ’s return (*parousia*).

Verse 27

To partake 'unworthily' is not about personal sinlessness, but about treating the elements irreverently or participating without regard for the unity of the church (the Body of Christ).

Verse 29

The word 'damnation' (Gk. *krima*) means judgment or condemnation, referring to God's temporal discipline. Failing to 'discern the Lord’s body' means failing to recognize the sacred nature of the elements and the unity of the church community.

Verse 30

Paul attributes the physical sickness and deaths ('sleep') in the community directly to God's corrective judgment upon those who profaned the Lord's Supper through selfish behavior.

Verse 32

God’s judgment on believers (chastening) is corrective discipline, intended to prevent eternal condemnation alongside the unbelieving world.

Verse 33

This provides a practical solution: the Corinthians must restore fellowship by waiting for one another, ensuring the meal is a shared, unifying experience.

Verse 34

Paul separates the function of satisfying hunger (which should be done at home) from the sacred observance of the Lord’s Supper, restoring reverence and order to the communion service.

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1 Corinthians11

Imitate Paul as He Follows Christ

Headship and Distinctions in Worship

Condemnation of Divisions at Meals

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

Warning Against Unworthy Participation

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