Grace Institute: 1 Corinthians: Chapter 11: Disruption in Church

Disruption in Church 1 Corinthians Spring 2009

Regarding Head Coverings (11:2-16)

The Situation (11:2)

The Issue

Paul moves to a new topic beginning in verse 2 of chapter 11; namely, the wearing of head coverings when a woman is praying or prophesying in church. It seems there were women who were ministering publicly in the Corinthian church without wearing a veil, and this causes great concern for Paul. Today, this would hardly be an issue, as very few women cover their heads in church today. Why does Paul make such a big deal of this issue? Or perhaps we should be asking why doesn't the church today make a big deal about this issue?

Background

To understand this issue, we need to begin with a look at the cultural background.

In the 1 st century Greek culture, all dignified women covered their heads with veils everywhere, not just in church. A woman would wear a veil in the marketplace, church, or anywhere where they would be seen in public. The only women who would not wear a veil would be women who were not under the protection and authority of a man.

In 1 st century, women did not have the right or the means to work, own property, or live on their own. The culture required that women live under the authority or protection of a man, be it her father or her husband. A woman without a father or husband would have needed to be “adopted” into another household or would be unable, under the traditions of the day, to survive.

The only other option for such a woman would be to make a living through prostitution. In this culture, only prostitutes would not have worn a veil or any head covering. So to not wear a veil in the Corinthian church would be equivalent to wearing the attire of a prostitute to church.

Paul is not, however, concerned here about modesty in a woman's attire. He is concerned with the attitude that goes with this. Not wearing a veil revealed an attitude that said, “I am independent. I don't need a man. I can support myself.”

In the first century, the church had liberated women from their subservient role. Jesus had treated women as equals, teaching them, ministering to them, and being ministered to by them. Paul passed on this teaching of equality in Christ. In Galatians 3:28 Paul states that in Christ there is neither male or female. Within the church women found a freedom far greater than the culture around them.

But some women in Corinth took this freedom too far. In their newly found independence they were dishonoring their husbands by going without head coverings, acting as if they no longer needed a husband and could support themselves. Paul finds this attitude of independence inappropriate within the church.

Headship Principles (11:3-12)

Headship Invovles Authority (11:3)

Paul is reminding them to hold on to the traditions he delivered to them. But more than mindlessly following the traditions, he wants them to understand the theology behind these traditions (11:2). Paul outlines a hierarchy in the universe. God is the head of Christ. Christ is the head of every man. Man is the head of a woman (11:3).

This is not a statement of value or equality. There is no doubt that Christ is equal with God, but God nonetheless has the leadership responsibility in the relationship. Likewise, woman is equal with man, but there are different leadership responsibilities.

Headship Involves Glory (11:4-7)

Because of this hierarchy, Paul says a man disgraces his head if he has his head covered while praying or prophesying (11:4).Likewise, a woman disgraces herself if she has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying (11:5). Paul goes on to say a woman whose head is uncovered is like a woman who has shaved her head (11:5-6), which it is presumed would also be disgraceful. Indeed, nature itself tells us that women should have long hair and have it covered (11:15), just as men should have short hair and not wear hats while praying and prophesying (11:14).

Therefore a man should not cover his head, for He is the image and glory of God (11:7). Likewise, a woman is the image and glory of a man (11:7). This does not mean that women do not bear the image of God. Genesis 1 clearly teaches that the image of God is most fully exhibited in the male and female together. Paul is using this as a comparison for how a wife's actions reflect either well or poorly on her husband.

Man is God's glory. This means that God is praised and honored and glorified as His image is revealed in man. Just as our children, bearing our image, make us proud when they do something well, so the Father is proud and brings glory to us when we do well and exhibit his image.

The woman is man's glory. This means that a husband is praised and honored through the image of his wife. As he sees her ministering well within the body of Christ, the husband is glorified. In other words, a godly woman bring praise to her husband.

Christ demonstrated the headship of the Father in the garden of Gethesemene when, on the night before his death, he prays to the Father, “not my will, buy yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42). The Son obeyed the Father even when he would have rather not. But this is not merely a power trip for the Father. In return, the Father responded by bringing glory to the Son, exalting Him in heaven and on earth (Philippians 2:9-11).

Likewise, Christ demonstrated his headship over the church by giving himself up for her and dying for her (Ephesians 5:25-27) so that he might glorify her and present her as perfect. In response the church is obedient to Christ, doing his will (Ephesians 5:24).

Headship Involves Mutual Dependency (11:8-12)

Paul shows the hierarchy of male leadership is rooted not in Greek or Jewish traditions, but in the order of creation (11:8-9). But lest we think this hierarchy somehow makes men more important or have more value, Paul reminds men that that they ought not forge that while woman originated from man (speaking of Eve), all men originated from a woman when they were born, and we are not independent of each other (11:11). Furthermore, all people, men and women, originate from God, and therefore are under his authority (11:12).

Ultimately what Paul is teaching is that we need each other. The women within the Corinthian church were acting as if they no longer needed their husbands. Paul is reminding them that they do indeed need their husband, and also, by the way, husbands need their wives. We are not to live as if we did not need each other.

Application (11:13-16)

Symbols of Headship are Appropriate (11:10, 13-16)

In our culture today, women do not wear veils in the marketplace, or when going about their daily activities. Head coverings do not communicate, today, whether or not a woman is under the protection and authority of a man. Furthermore, women have rights today which allow a woman not to have to resort to prostitution if they are not under the authority of a man.

Therefore, when looking for the timeless principle, we do not share similar circumstances, meaning this is probably not a moral absolute. But that does not mean that this is an obsolete situation. There are universal principles and normative patterns for us to explore in this passage.

Furthermore, there is a normative pattern that we can apply in our culture. While a lack of head covering no longer the sign of a prostitute, there are forms of dress which would be the sign of a prostitute. A woman who dresses like a prostitute clearly has no regard for God's hierarchy in the world and is demonstrating an independence from man and from God himself.

Beyond that women should seek to demonstrate their dependency on their husbands and thereby give glory to her husband. This could be the wearing of modest dress, wearing a wedding ring, showing affection for her husband, or even showing physical affection for her husband.

Attitudes are Important

But it is not just the symbol that is important. The attitude of dependency needs to there as well. We must remember the principle of headship involves mutual dependency, and bringing glory to one another. This attitude applies not just for married women, but for all of us.

For the married woman, remember, you need your husband, and how you act and what you wear can bring honor or dishonor to your husband. Are you willing to place yourself in dependency to your husband, first in your heart and then in your attire as well?

For the single woman, remember that Christ is your head, and your adornment and your attitude reflect on Him as well. For older single women, Paul would have you exhibit this dependency and show younger women through your example (Titus 2:3-4). Younger women who are seeking a husband should remember that if you want a godly husband, then you should dress and act like a godly woman.

For married men, remember you are not independent of your wife. You need her in your life. Furthermore, while you have leadership responsibilities in the home, you are not to be dictator. Remember that you are in submission to Christ's authority, and are accountable to Him in how you treat your wife. Finally, Paul's instructions to women here are for them to demonstrate their dependency while they are praying and prophesying. Therefore Paul clearly teaches that women should have freedom to minister within the church. As a husband, you are to allow and encourage your wife to exercise her spiritual gifting in the church. In so doing she will bring you honor.

The issue is not whether or not to wear hats in church. The issue is if we are willing to show our submission and dependency on one another. Veils and head coverings are merely external symbols of this attitude. In all we do, we must remember that “in the Lord, woman is not independent of man nor man of woman.”

Regarding the Lord's Supper (11:17-34)

The Situtation (11:17-22)

The Corinthians' divisiveness was affecting not just their interpersonal relationships, but had also affected their church meetings (11:18). When they would meet together and partake of the Lord's Supper, people would cut in line and eat and drink so much that they would get drunk on the wine, while others went without food (11:20-21). Paul is appalled at this behavior (11:23), and uses this issue as an opportunity to teach on the right celebration of communion.

The Theology (11:23-26)

Paul begins this teaching by reminding them of the historic roots of the celebration, going back to the night Jesus was betrayed (11:24). He reminds them that this is a celebration which commemorates the Lord's death until He comes back (11:26).

The Application

He follows with a warning. If you eat or drink in an unworthy manner, you may face discipline, even unto death (11:27, 30). Therefore, it is appropriate to examine oneself and determine why we are coming to the Lord's supper (11:28). Unfortunately, some have taken this “examination” and turned the Lord's Supper into a confessional rather than a celebration. The examination that Paul is dealing with here is merely asking what our purpose in coming to communion. Are we truly celebrating the Lord's death until He comes, or are we using it to selfishly indulge ourselves in food and drink?

We need to ask ourselves why we come to participate in the Lord's Supper together. Why do we come to church? Is it to remember and to proclaim the Lord's death, or is it to consume and satisfy a need? Do we come to church to feel blessed and be fed spiritually, to take what the church offers, or is it to remember and proclaim the salvation offered by Jesus through His death?

The church itself often promotes a consumer mentality by making the church entertaining, accessible, and preaching sermons that meet felt needs. But the church is not primarily about making us feel better, giving us a blessing, or even improving our lives and making us better people. The church is about remembering and proclaiming the Jesus death!

Paul's timeless principle is this: when celebrating the Lord's Supper, we should wait upon each other and not use it as an occasion to satisfy our hunger (11:33-34). So ask yourself, why did you come to church today? Why will you be taking communion? If it is for any other reason but to proclaim and remember His salvation, you invite the judgment of God. Instead, just eat at home.