1 Corinthians 11
World English Bible
WEB1Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you. 3But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. 5But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved. 6For if a woman is not covered, let her hair also be cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or be shaved, let her be covered. 7For 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. 8For man is not from woman, but woman from man; 9for man wasn’t created for the woman, but woman for the man. 10For this cause the woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. 11Nevertheless, neither is the woman independent of the man, nor the man independent of the woman, in the Lord. 12For as woman came from man, so a man also comes through a woman; but all things are from God. 13Judge for yourselves. Is it appropriate that a woman pray to God unveiled? 14Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering. 16But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God’s assemblies. 17But in giving you this command I don’t praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18For first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it. 19For there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you. 20When therefore you assemble yourselves together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21For in your eating each one takes his own supper first. One is hungry, and another is drunken. 22What, 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 enough? What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don’t praise you. 23For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. 24When 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.” 25In 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.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27Therefore 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. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body. 30For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. 31For if we discerned ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 33Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34But 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.
World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org
Overview
1 Corinthians Chapter 11 addresses several important issues within the Corinthian church, focusing on the topics of head coverings, the Lord's Supper, and the proper conduct during worship. The chapter begins with Paul affirming the principle of headship, stating that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, while God is the head of Christ. This establishes a divine order that reflects God's design for authority and submission within the church and the family. Paul emphasizes that women should cover their heads while praying or prophesying, as a sign of authority and respect, which connects to the cultural context of Corinth and the honor-shame dynamics of that society. This practice serves as a visual representation of the spiritual truths regarding headship and submission, as seen in verses 3-16.
The chapter then transitions to the observance of the Lord's Supper, where Paul addresses the divisions and improper behaviors occurring during this sacred meal. He reminds the Corinthians of the significance of the Lord's Supper, recounting the words of Jesus during the Last Supper, where He instituted this practice as a remembrance of His sacrifice (verses 23-26). Paul warns against partaking in an unworthy manner, which can lead to serious consequences, including judgment from God (verses 27-34). This section emphasizes the importance of self-examination and unity among believers as they gather to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. Overall, 1 Corinthians 11 calls the church to honor God’s design in worship and to approach the Lord’s Supper with reverence and integrity, reflecting the unity of the body of Christ.
#1Corinthians #HeadCoverings #LordsSupper #Unity #Worship
Referenced by
- Genesis 2:18v9Genesis 2:18 highlights that it is not good for man to be alone, leading to the creation of woman, which is referenced in 1 Corinthians 11:9 regarding the interdependence of man and woman.
- Numbers 30:5v3Numbers 30:5 discusses the authority of a father over his daughter's vows, which connects to 1 Corinthians 11:3, where the order of authority in the family is discussed, emphasizing the headship principle.
- Deuteronomy 22:5v14Deuteronomy 22:5 discusses the prohibition of cross-dressing, emphasizing the importance of maintaining distinctions between genders. 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 also addresses gender distinctions, particularly in the context of hair length, reinforcing the idea of honoring God’s created order.
- Song of Solomon 7:5v15Song of Solomon 7:5 describes the beauty of the beloved's hair, which is paralleled in 1 Corinthians 11:15 where a woman's hair is described as her glory, emphasizing the theme of beauty and honor.
- Matthew 26:26v24Matthew 26:26 describes Jesus instituting the Lord's Supper, which Paul recounts in 1 Corinthians 11:24, emphasizing the remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice.
- Luke 22:19v24Luke 22:19 records Jesus instituting the Lord's Supper, which Paul reiterates in 1 Corinthians 11:24-25, emphasizing the remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice.
Topics in this chapter
- Authority
- Communion
- The Lord's Supper
- Unity
- Headship
- New Covenant
- Sacrifice
- Self-Examination
- Worship
- Order
- Remembrance
- Apostle
- Christ
- Church Unity
- Confession
- Corinth
- Eucharist
- Gender Roles in the Bible
- Head Coverings
- Holiness
- Paul
- Respect
- The Last Supper
- Tradition
- Apostolic Teaching
- Atonement
- Blood of Christ
- Bread and Cup
- Christ as Head of the Church
- Christian Art
- Christian Conduct
- Church Order
- Community
- Consideration
- Continuity
- Corinthians
- Covenant
- Divine Order
- Equality
- Faith
- Fellowship
- Fulfillment
- Genesis 1
- Glory
- Head of the Church
- Headcovering
- Honor
- Image of God
- Kingdom of God
- Literature in the Bible
- Proclamation
- Relationships in the Bible
- Repentance
- Reverence
- Second Coming
- Social Justice
- Spiritual Growth
- Worship Instruction
- Worship Music
Related chapters
- Matthew 26The Lord's SupperThe Last SupperBlood of Christ
- Luke 22The Last SupperCommunionEucharist
- Ephesians 5Genesis 1FellowshipRelationships in the Bible
- Numbers 30HeadshipGender Roles in the BibleOrder
- Mark 14The Last SupperCommunionEucharist
- 2 Corinthians 13CorinthiansCorinthSelf-Examination
- Exodus 12Blood of ChristCommunionEucharist
- 1 Timothy 2Church OrderGender Roles in the BibleOrder
- John 6CommunionEucharistNew Covenant
- Genesis 2Image of GodRelationships in the Bible
- 1 Corinthians 10Apostolic TeachingCorinthCommunion
- 1 Corinthians 14Church OrderGender Roles in the BibleChurch Unity
Your study
Take it with you
This chapter’s study as a Markdown file. The analysis was written for a notebook originally, so the hashtags arrive as hashtags and the passages as links.