I Corinthians Chapter 11
In this chapter Paul teaches the church at Corinth that they do not have the proper respect for the head of the church, Jesus Christ. The church, like some modern churches of today, had become a social gathering for the people, a party. They lacked good leadership in the church. The church shepherd should always be instructing from the Word of God and pointing people towards the Lord. Paul knew that he was following Christ so he was someone the church could look up to. If they followed Paul, they would be following after Jesus.
Even in their cultural traditions they had lost respect for the headship of Christ. In their culture a woman showed respect by covering her head when she prayed and by not cutting her hair short. Of note, the women did not cover their face, but just covered their head with a veil. The men showed respect by not covering their head when they prayed. The significance is the order of authority. Paul wanted them to understand that God was a God of order and there should be order and respect in the House of God.
Let's Reflect
1. God established from creation that the man is in authority over the woman. We Americans tend to get all bent out of shape over this. We need to understand that God wanted men to be responsible for women and to be their protector. In that vein a woman submits to the protection of a man. The men needed to also understand that they came under the authority of someone. Who does the man submit to?
2. God also shows us His order in His creation. God created Adam first, and then he created Eve for Adam’s glory. Adam was given responsibility over Eve. How is it worded in scripture, how was woman created?
3. Another reason there needs to be proper order of respect in a church is because of the presence of angels. Paul seems to indicate that the angels are saddened by the conduct of a wife not showing proper respect. There are most likely many things that believers do that saddens angels when they see our irreverent conduct, but this is just one example. It all points back to creation. God created men and women distinctly different. What examples does Paul give in verses 14-16 demonstrating how the genders are to show these differences?
4. Another area of disrespect that Paul addressed was eating and drinking in the church. What were the Corinthians doing that Paul found disgraceful?
5. A commemorating of the Lord’s Supper is to be a time of showing great respect and gratitude for what Jesus has done for us. A key is the name of this sacrament – it is the Lord’s Supper, but the Corinthians were using it as a social supper. When we take part in communion respectfully, we are proclaiming what? See verse 26.
6. To discern our bodies is to examine whether we have sin in our lives. We need to come to the communion table with a clean heart by confessing any sin. What happened to many who had taken part in communion unworthily?
7. There were apparently other items in the report Paul received from the church. What did he say he would do about those items?
Devotionals
