October 8, 2025
1 Corinthians 11 ESV
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God. But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when 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 also he took the cup, after supper, 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 the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
Discussion Questions:
This chapter is divided into two topics. The first section (verses 1 – 16) deals with should women cover their heads in the congregation. The second section (verses 17 – 34) deals with eating the Lord’s supper together.
1) The first section has been interpreted by brethren in opposite ways. And so, some sisters within our fellowship cover their heads and others do not. Apostle Paul makes a number of points as he discusses this topic. What are the points the Apostle Paul is making?
2) In the second section, what problems does the Apostle Paul identify with the way the Corinthian brethren were keeping the Lord’s supper?
Discussion Summary:
Verses 1-16: It is difficult to fully understand the Apostle’s points in the order that his making them. On the one hand he could be referring to the cultural custom of women covering their heads as a sign of modesty and submission (Genesis 24:65) and upholding that custom as reflecting not only the proper disposition of sisters (1 Peter 3:4) but as illustrating the hierarchy of GodJesusManWoman.
Verse 7 is quoting Genesis 1:27 and makes the point that because the woman was made from man, and not a unique creation, she is therefore subject to the man. However, in verse 12 the apostle seems to be saying that because all men are born from a women that point could be nullified as one could argue “all are from God.”
Another point that the Apostle made was that short hair on a women was considered shameful. Therefore if a woman chooses to have short hair she could use a covering instead of growing her hair long.
Verses 17-34: It is sad to read how divided the Corinthian brethren were becoming. They had lost the meaning of partaking together of the Lord’s supper as an evidence of their unity as the body of Christ. They had watered down its importance to where it was almost a commonplace part of a meal. They were thinking as children and not as mature Christians.
Likewise in their communal meals they were divided by their temporal circumstances. Those who were wealthy ate well while those who were working or slaves and came late received nothing. They did not see the meal as joining them together in fellowship.
In verse 28-31 the apostle tells them to examine themselves and correct their heart condition or they would be disciplined by the Lord for this neglect.
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