Day 24: 11:2-16 (Honoring God's Order and Respecting Roles)

1. SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
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.

2. OBSERVATIONS :
a.  What did this passage mean to its original audience? 
Paul is addressing a situation in the church regarding the cultural customs of his day. It was against their custom for women to pray or prophesy (speak a word to the church from the Lord under the inspiration of the Spirit) without a covering on her head. It was equally contrary to custom for a man to pray or prophesy in the church with his head covered.
This passage has proved to be one of, if not the most, difficult passages in the NT to interpret. I believe the most likely explanation of the issue at hand is that by rejecting the customary headcovering, some women were disregarding culturally appropriate symbols of gender distinction and sexual modesty. Scholar Anthony Thiselton explains that, “the whole issue turns on respect or lack of respect”. This flouting of the culturally accepted attire showed disrespect for God, for one’s spouse and other Christians, and even for oneself.

b. What does this passage reveal about God?

• God has created two distinct yet complementary genders. 

c. What does this passage reveal about people?

• God created men and women for equality and mutuality.  Both men and women pray and prophesy in public worship and they were created by God to function interdependently. 

 3. APPLICATION: What does this passage impact my affections, attitudes and actions?
It reminds me that my maleness does not make me independent of my wife and other women. It reminds me that God designed us to work in cooperation with each other rather than in competition with each other.  

4. PRAYER:
Lord, help me to respect the women in my life and to appreciate their contributions. Help me to respect the cultural customs of the people that I live among so that I won’t hinder my ability to share Jesus with them.
In Jesus’ name,  Amen.