1 Corinthians 11: 2-16
Some passages in Scriptures are hard to understand; some are hard to accept. 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 belongs to the latter category. The passage is both attacked and rejected vigorously by Christian feminist lobby and liberal Bible commentators. Nonetheless, it is part of the Holy Scriptures and we need to approach this passage prayerfully and in dependence on the Holy Spirit to lead us and to help us understand and apply it in our lives.
The Apostle Paul stated it clearly, ʻbut I want you to realize thatthe head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and thehead of Christ is Godʼ. The concept of headship is present in the chain of relationships mentioned. The Greek word for head may mean the physical head, the source or origin or a person in authority.
The more common interpretation throughout church history (after comparing Scripture with Scripture and looking through the whole Bible) is to view the verse as referring to authority/responsibility in the context of headship. It is not to be understood as a matter of inherent superiority so much as one of different functions or roles.
In the Trinity, there is an equality of the three Persons in the Godhead. This equality allows for the role of the Son in His work ofsalvation to be subordinate to that of the Father and the role of the Holy Spirit to point to Jesus, shining the spotlight on Jesus rather than on the Spirit.
Likewise, scriptures affirm the equality of the sexes both in creation and redemption. Men and women, together, are made in the image of God for the tasks of procreation and dominion in Godʼs world. In Galatians 3:28, Paul, speaking of the new creation and the order of redemption, declares that “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Hence we should treat each other as equals in Christ and determine our behaviour toward each other by the fact that we are equals in Christ.
In Genesis 2, we learn that man was created to be Godʼsrepresentative and head of the created order. While the woman shares that role equally and fully as a human being, nevertheless in her relationship to man there was a differentiation which was indicated by the facts of her being created from the man, and being created for theman as a helper/partner suitable for him. As the man glorifies God by fulfilling the headship role assigned to him by the Creator, so the woman ʻglorifiesʼ man by recognising him as her head. The matter of headshipis an issue of role and function rather than a matter of superiority.
There is a distinction between the sexes that should be exemplified in public worship. This distinction seemed to be lost in thechurch in Corinth. Ironically, it had to do with the new-found freedom for women in Christ. Women had always been treated and viewed as second-class citizens in the days when the Lord Jesus walked on earth. However, He treated women with respect and dignity. This was carriedforward subsequently in the Church of God.
The opening section of 1 Corinthians 11 affirms a role for women in the congregation, both in prayer and prophesying. These activities are not forbidden. But the participation of women in these legitimate activities must not obscure the differentiation of the roles of men and women that God has built into His creation order.
Gospel freedom was being used in the church in Corinth to obscure and overturn these norms and to usurp the role of man and in the manner of participation. Paul was saying that a woman may take part in prayer and prophesy provided that she is covered (the precise nature of the covering is disputed) as to show that she knows her place in the order of creation by not seeking to upstage the men in their role.
Paul, in verse 10, added the clause “because of the angels”.Angels serve God by executing His purposes among human beings andthey are observing all that is going on in the world. The angels would want Christian women to enjoy both their freedom and dignity that the gospel has brought to them but this will only come about by such women fulfilling their God-given role, not usurping that of the men.Likewise, the angels also would want Christian men to take on their role of leadership and not to abandon it. In the manner of participation, men should not behave as women and fail to fulfil their responsibility, thus dishonouring the head who is Christ.
Gospel freedom and kingdom values fulfil creation principles and never undermine them. By submitting to Godʼs creation order and kingdom values, men and women find their true fulfilment.
Jesus Christ came to destroy the work of the devil and to redeem men and women to become like Him, regaining their true humannessas it was meant to be from the beginning. Obedience to God manifests our love for Him, our complete confidence in Him and in the factthat whatever He commands us to do, it is in line with His perfect goodness and love. He never asks us to do what is not ultimately good for us. This includes His commands and His laws, given to guide us and to help know what His desires are for us, His people and His children.
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Paul now turned his attention to the Lordʼs Supper as practisedin the church of Corinth.
The Lordʼs Supper is meant to remind believers of Christʼs deathfor them at the cross. In 1 Corinthians, Paul again and again stressedthe centrality of the cross and Him crucified. True spirituality finds itsfocus and shape in the cross of the Lord Jesus. What was happening at the church in Corinth was undermining the sacred meaning of theLordʼs Supper and the centrality of the Cross.
The cross should bring the end of human pride, the distinction between the rich and the poor, and the death of elitism. But the fellowship before the communion which was supposed to express unity in the gospel had degenerated into an occasion for pride, snobbery, greed and selfishness.
The believers in Corinth were not approaching the LordʼsSupper with a right spirit and had actually desecrated the meaning of the communion service with such negative behaviour at the fellowship meal.
We need to pause here and evaluate whether congregations today have taken on such a negative behaviour as well in the interaction amongbelievers. Have we allowed financial and social distinctions to hardeninto indifference and separatism? Are members of the congregationsbeing despised because of their social and financial background?
Then comes the Lordʼs Supper proper. Participation in the Lordʼs Supper is a refreshing reminder to live a godly life, by ʻfeeding on Him in our hearts by faithʼ with thanksgivings as we eat the bread. Drinking the cup of wine emphasises our oneness with God and all fellow believers in the new covenant created through the blood ofChrist shed at the Cross. The communion proclaims to God and men our faith in Christʼs death for us. It implies not just our saving faithbut a life-style lived under the lordship of our Lord Jesus Christ. It also anticipates an eternity with Christ who has risen and will come again in power to inaugurate the new heaven and earth. It is a solemn and sacred service and should not be abused by believers who come before the table with a wrong attitude.
Our unwillingness to die to self and our despising of our brethren denies the very purpose of what the communion stands for. The one bread implies the oneness and unity of the body of Christ.
Paul warned the Corinthian believers not to partake of the LordʼsSupper in an unworthy manner. To come with unrepentant hearts is to sin against Christʼs body and blood. The Supper proclaims salvationthrough humble faith in Christ and dependence on His substitutionary death. There is therefore a need to prayerfully examine ourselves as we come, checking our attitude and affirming once more His grace and mercy towards us; seeking to obey Him and to honour Him in our hearts, glorifying Him in the Cross and in our crucified life-style.
Paul reminded the Corinthian believers that the Lord would discipline those who abused the Lordʼs Supper in their attitude. The call to the church was to repent. God would not allow His Sonʼs name andwork to be despised. This is a warning to us as well. If we are honest in acknowledging our sin, God need not discipline us.