©2002 Pastor Tom Miles

It seems we have two subjects addressed in this chapter.  It also seems that both of them had been brought to Paul's attention via a letter from the Corinthian church.  The first subject addresses females in the church, in public places, etc., while the second addresses how the Lords Supper is celebrated.  When looking at this chapter let us remember these are general, yet specific, references and still hold value for us today.

It seems this verse (one) should be the conclusion to chapter 10 instead of the beginning to chapter 11.  Paul is saying here that they should imitate his example.  Paul says just as I seek to offend no one or attempt to not misrepresent the teaching of others, but in all my being strive to gain their salvation, this should you do also.  Paul makes Christ his example in all things and if it is Christ that we follow He will make our path safe before us.  As the conclusion to the previous chapter it makes most sense telling the people to be like him is to be like Christ and to follow him is to follow Christ.  We must remember that the people that Paul is addressing did not know Christ so they also did not know the example of Christ without seeing it in someone else.

Now beginning with verse two we see that Paul has given them instructions prior to this time and desires that they remember these (ordinances=instructions/directions), which he has given them, pertaining to the matters at hand.  One other thing we must remember is that Paul respects the individual cultures and desires that everyone else also do the same.  What is normal in one culture may not be in the other.  Paul says that as much as possible without distorting the directions of Christ one must respect the cultures of others.  With this in mind Paul goes on in verse three to use the word ‘head’ which often means ruler, leader, master, Lord, source of, or one in authority.   In this particular verse it means that Christ is the source of or authority of all things.  He is Lord of all believers or Christians.  In the hierarchy of authority God is the source of Christ, God is the source of man, Christ is the source of the Body, and man the source of woman.  We must never forget the position we have to Christ.  We must also never forget the position God created us in.  And we must be respectful of those positions.  When God created us He created us with specific purposes in mind.  He gave us, male and female, a purpose.  It is God's will that there be definition between man and woman.  It is God's will that all Christians accept and acknowledge Christ as LORD!  Paul although adamant in what he speaks also desires to not be forceful but instead to believe that the people will adhere willingly after hearing him.  As so often said, the one that has ears to hear let him hear--in other words listen to my words for they are the words of Christ and He is your authority.  Christ is the source of all your needs.  Paul is not saying that the woman should not publicly pray or speak with inspiration instead he says that she should not look or act the same as man.  It was the custom that the veil (any type of head covering) worn by the woman or her covering of the head was symbolic of the man's authority over her.  Also according to the nature of God's creation woman was created with man in authority to her.  She was created as a helpmate to man--not a slave!

In verse four we see that Paul is addressing the covering issue and states that he views a covering of any type on the head as an indication of subjection. He also believes this is what Christ would have said as well.  He believed the men should prophecy and pray with their heads uncovered.  And a woman should have her head covered if that were the custom. It was felt that in having the head covered you showed subjection to another.  And so for a man to preach or teach with their head covered showed they were in subjection to those around them which in a way seems almost contradictory to the teaching Paul is attempting to share.  The only other understanding of this would be by the man wearing a covering it would symbolize that he was under subjection or the source of a human Lord instead of under Christ!  Paul's discussion on this pertains to actually any person worshipping God in public.  It was the Jewish custom that if you worshipped uncovered you were showing disrespect to God.  So we could say that Paul was coming in direct opposition to the Jewish laws pertaining to head coverings.  For they believed anyone worshipping in public should be covered.  Paul says to prophesy and this meant to speak unto the multitudes with edification, exhortation, understanding, and peace.  It seems that in this situation Paul was basically addressing the fact that many of the women had taken to prophesying or speaking in the public assemblies with their heads uncovered and this was wrong according to the hierarchy of God/Christ/Man/Woman!  We must also remember that God created all people in his image and it is woman that gives birth to all human life so all have equal value in God's eyes.  It didn't mean the woman could not speak, but meant that she needed to show respect to her position as the custom or culture of that time demanded.  One thing we must truly understand is that submission is not apathy, surrender, less than or inferior to, but simply a reciprocal obligation and support one for the other.  Father, keep me always humble and keep me always respectful of You and my brothers and sisters in Christ!

Paul is saying in verses five and six that if it is the custom for a woman to have her head covered in public let her do so otherwise she dishonors her husband.   Even if a woman shaves her head it is the same as being uncovered.  It was the custom of society, that a woman wears a veil in public.  The wearing of the veil was a symbol of her position as helpmate to man and also a show of modesty.  It was the custom for a woman to have long hair and showed her respect for her husband and for God's ordination.  To have her head shaven was as a disgrace and a sign of rebellion to God and to the husband.  Paul continues in verse seven to say that man is the image of God and should not cover his head or wear a veil.  Man is ruler over all creation by order of God and this is man's glory.  The woman's glory is to the man who has authority over her.  Because of this she should not appear in public with her head uncovered as a sign of subjection to the husband.

Man was not made out of woman, God taking a rib from man and creating woman made woman out of man is what verse eight tells us and so in verse nine we see that since man was not created out of woman but instead she was created out of man it is as said in Genesis that woman was made for man!  She was created to be a helper (help-meet) for man.  We read in Genesis chapter 2 that woman was made for the soul purpose of being a helpmate to man. As a helpmate to man does not mean a slave to man.  She is to minister though to his aide, his comfort, and his happiness, to be his friend and share his mourning and multiply his joys.  She was not created as inferior to man but still needed to be in authority of man.  Man is the head of the family and woman was created to assist him in his duties and be his comforter as he would be hers.  Woman's position is one of honor even though it is beneath the role of man.  A woman's joy and welfare depends fully on the man and because of this man should treat her with respect and honor even though she is under him.  So as was the custom, Paul feels she should not be uncovered in public.  In verse 10 Paul simply says that a woman should be covered, to show their subjection to the head (man). The veil or head covering is a token of subjection (authority).  As to the angels it is with due respect that I say I am not quite sure as to it's interpretation.  It could mean that even the angels long for understanding or it could simply mean that angels are watching the goings on in the worship place so women should be cautious to appear before them without dishonor to God because they would be representatives of God. And it would also be for men to be cautious and respectful as well.  In verse 11 Paul says that according to God's plan even though woman is subject to man, both, as believers are received of God. They are equal in God's eyes and should be respected and loved equally by each other as they show love and respect unto God and self.

In verse 12 we read that just as the woman initially was taken from the side of man (a rib), man now is formed from woman.  Woman with the help of man gives birth to all human life.  “But all things are of God,” says that every single thing in the universe was created and given order by God.  There should be no arguments as to God's plan or order for mankind.  If it were not for God we would not have life.  So we should gladly and honorably accept the order of God's plan for humankind.  And that plan includes the order of God/Christ/Man/Woman/Children!  Father, soften our hearts, enlighten us with Your Word and understanding!

Here in these verses, 13 to 15, Paul is talking about the natural appearance of man and woman subject to their culture.  Believers should look and act according to their culture.  In many cultures it is natural for a man to also have long hair.  In the city of Corinth if a man had long hair he was considered a male prostitute and women with short hair in Corinth were considered female prostitutes.  Paul is addressing the culture at hand being Corinth so believers should follow that custom.  Women of faith in Corinth were to have long hair if they cut it short they were considered prostitutes the same with men if they let their hair grow long.  Paul is not saying that we should all adapt the same culture but to honor the culture you are living in.  Our ultimate goal is to spread the Gospel of Christ and to do so honorably we must make sure we do nothing that will offend.  Now a step further goes Paul in verse 16 saying that if anyone should have a difference of opinion and think it proper for women to look like men or men to look like women they are wrong and it goes against all teaching from the apostles and against the tradition of the church which would be against the teaching also of Christ!

Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles

For instructions on being Born Again click on banner at top of page.
Thank you for reading.