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.

Imitate Paul as He Follows Christ

Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Messiah.

Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.

Headship and Distinctions in Worship

But I would have you know that the head of every man is Messiah, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Messiah is God.

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved.

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.

For 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.

For man is not from woman, but woman from man;

for neither was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.

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

Nevertheless, neither is the woman independent of the man, nor the man independent of the woman, in the Lord.

For as woman came from man, so a man also comes through a woman; but all things are from God.

Judge for yourselves. Is it appropriate that a woman pray to God unveiled?

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

But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering.

But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God’s assemblies.

Condemnation of Divisions at Meals

But in giving you this command, I don’t praise you, that you come together not for the better but for the worse.

For first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it.

For there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you.

When therefore you assemble yourselves together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.

For in your eating each one takes his own supper first. One is hungry, and another is drunken.

What, 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? What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don’t praise you.

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Yeshua on the night in which he was betrayed took bread.

When 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.”

In 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.”

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 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.

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.

For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body.

For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep.

For if we discerned ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged.

But when we are judged, we are punished by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

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

But 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.

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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