First Corinthians “Solving Church Problems”

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First CorinthiansFirst Corinthians“Solving Church Problems”“Solving Church Problems”

Lesson 14, Section FourteenLesson 14, Section Fourteen

Problem Twelve:Problem Twelve:

““Disorders in Worship: Coverings”Disorders in Worship: Coverings”

First Corinthians 11:1-16First Corinthians 11:1-16

Page 69Page 69

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Read First Corinthians 11:1-3Read First Corinthians 11:1-3

1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. traditions just as I delivered them to you.

3 But I want you to know that the head of 3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.man, and the head of Christ is God.

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Paul Praised Them...Paul Praised Them...First Corinthians 11:1-2First Corinthians 11:1-2

Paul told the Corinthians to imitate [follow] Paul told the Corinthians to imitate [follow] him as he imitates Christ (v1)him as he imitates Christ (v1) He denied himself of some things so he would He denied himself of some things so he would

not give an offense to others (10:32-33)not give an offense to others (10:32-33) The Corinthians, and we, should do likewiseThe Corinthians, and we, should do likewise

The church would be inclined to regard his The church would be inclined to regard his apostolic authority by remembering the apostolic authority by remembering the things delivered to them (2)things delivered to them (2)

He encouraged them to keep the traditions He encouraged them to keep the traditions [ordinances, teachings] as he had taught [ordinances, teachings] as he had taught them (2)them (2)

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God’s Line of AuthorityGod’s Line of AuthorityFirst Corinthians 11:3First Corinthians 11:3

The head of every man is Christ (3)The head of every man is Christ (3) Man subject to Him; and must recognize his Man subject to Him; and must recognize his

subordination to Himsubordination to Him The head of every woman is man (3)The head of every woman is man (3)

Similarly, woman is subordinate to manSimilarly, woman is subordinate to man The head of Christ is God (3)The head of Christ is God (3)

Christ recognized God the Father as superiorChrist recognized God the Father as superior ““Head” means “ruler, master, chief”Head” means “ruler, master, chief”

God over Christ, Christ over man, man over God over Christ, Christ over man, man over woman woman

This This line of authorityline of authority stems from the stems from the creation and the sin in the garden of Edencreation and the sin in the garden of Eden

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4 Every man praying or prophesying, having 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. his head covered, dishonors his head.

5 But every woman who prays or prophesies 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. her head were shaved.

6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also 6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.

7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. God; but woman is the glory of man.

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Praying and ProphesyingPraying and ProphesyingFirst Corinthians 11:4-5First Corinthians 11:4-5

When praying or prophesying, a man When praying or prophesying, a man dishonors his head [Christ] with his head dishonors his head [Christ] with his head covered (v4)covered (v4)

When praying or prophesying, a woman When praying or prophesying, a woman dishonors her head [man] with her head dishonors her head [man] with her head uncovered (v5)uncovered (v5)

““Praying” means to approach God in Praying” means to approach God in prayerprayer

““Prophesying” means to depart God’s Prophesying” means to depart God’s word via a spiritual gift [“teaching,” or word via a spiritual gift [“teaching,” or publicly speaking to the people on the publicly speaking to the people on the subject of religion]subject of religion]

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Covered and UncoveredCovered and UncoveredFirst Corinthians 11:4-5First Corinthians 11:4-5

““Covered” (v4) means “to cover up, to Covered” (v4) means “to cover up, to have something down the head, to veil”have something down the head, to veil” As used here it is a verb transitive which As used here it is a verb transitive which

describes the state or condition of somethingdescribes the state or condition of something Covered as a verb mean “an act of covering”Covered as a verb mean “an act of covering”

““Uncovered” (v5) means “to not cover Uncovered” (v5) means “to not cover up, to uncover” up, to uncover” ““Un” is a negative particle added to covered Un” is a negative particle added to covered

- means the opposite of covered- means the opposite of covered It is a state of not being coveredIt is a state of not being covered

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The Woman Must Be CoveredThe Woman Must Be CoveredFirst Corinthians 11:5-6First Corinthians 11:5-6

If she prays or prophecies with her head If she prays or prophecies with her head uncovered, it is “as if” she were shaved (v5)uncovered, it is “as if” she were shaved (v5) She dishonors her head [man]She dishonors her head [man]

Note: A woman, even a prophetess, also had Note: A woman, even a prophetess, also had to be silent in the assemblies of the churchto be silent in the assemblies of the church Paul does not mention this point here but does in Paul does not mention this point here but does in

14:34 and in 1 Tim. 2:12-13 14:34 and in 1 Tim. 2:12-13 Since it is a shame for her to be uncovered, Since it is a shame for her to be uncovered,

let her be covered (v6)let her be covered (v6) Not covered, her hair might as well be shorn [cut Not covered, her hair might as well be shorn [cut

off] or shavenoff] or shaven

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The Man Must Be UncoveredThe Man Must Be UncoveredFirst Corinthians 11:7First Corinthians 11:7

If a man prays or prophecies with his If a man prays or prophecies with his head covered, he dishonors his head head covered, he dishonors his head [Christ] (4)[Christ] (4)

Reason: He is the image and glory of God Reason: He is the image and glory of God (7)(7) ““The image of God” refers to the fact that The image of God” refers to the fact that

man was made in the likeness of his Maker man was made in the likeness of his Maker (Gen 1:27)(Gen 1:27)

““Glory” means to give great honor [or Glory” means to give great honor [or respect] to Godrespect] to God

The woman is the glory of the man (7)The woman is the glory of the man (7) She is to give great honor [or respect] to manShe is to give great honor [or respect] to man

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The Man Is Not From WomanThe Man Is Not From WomanFirst Corinthians 11:8-9First Corinthians 11:8-9

Paul now breaks from his discussion that Paul now breaks from his discussion that Christ is over man [in a state of being Christ is over man [in a state of being uncovered] and that man is over woman uncovered] and that man is over woman [in a state of being covered][in a state of being covered] This order of authority did not come from man This order of authority did not come from man

[Paul] but from God’s own creation - he now [Paul] but from God’s own creation - he now explains whyexplains why

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8 For man is not from woman, but woman from 8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man. man.

9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman 9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. for the man.

10 For this reason the woman ought to have a 10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. angels.

11 Nevertheless, neither is man independent of 11 Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. Lord.

12 For as woman came from man, even so man also 12 For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from comes through woman; but all things are from God.God.

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The Man Is Not From WomanThe Man Is Not From WomanFirst Corinthians 11:8-9First Corinthians 11:8-9

Creation was the beginning of this matter Creation was the beginning of this matter of headships in Genesis 1of headships in Genesis 1 Man is not of woman; woman is of the man (8)Man is not of woman; woman is of the man (8) Man was not created for woman; woman was Man was not created for woman; woman was

created for man (9)created for man (9) Remember - This is God’s order of Remember - This is God’s order of

headship, not man’s [man tries to undo headship, not man’s [man tries to undo this arrangement]this arrangement]

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Because Of The AngelsBecause Of The AngelsFirst Corinthians 11:10First Corinthians 11:10

For this reason [cause], the woman must For this reason [cause], the woman must show to the angels [invisible, ministering show to the angels [invisible, ministering spirits of God] that she is submitting to spirits of God] that she is submitting to the authority of man (v10)the authority of man (v10) She does this by having a sign or symbol of She does this by having a sign or symbol of

power [authority] on her head power [authority] on her head

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But All Things of GodBut All Things of GodFirst Corinthians 11:11-12First Corinthians 11:11-12

All things were created and arranged by All things were created and arranged by himhim

Man is not without the woman and Man is not without the woman and woman is not without the man (11)woman is not without the man (11)

Woman came from man [creation], but Woman came from man [creation], but man came from woman [birth] (12)man came from woman [birth] (12) Man and woman are mutually dependent Man and woman are mutually dependent

upon each other in the Lordupon each other in the Lord Man and woman are both necessary in Man and woman are both necessary in

God’s planGod’s plan One cannot exist without the otherOne cannot exist without the other

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13 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a 13 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? uncovered?

14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?

15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to 15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. covering.

16 But if anyone seems to be contentious, we 16 But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.God.

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Judge Among Yourselves... Judge Among Yourselves... First Corinthians 11:13First Corinthians 11:13

This subject was one they should have This subject was one they should have been able to judge among themselves been able to judge among themselves (v13)(v13) ““Judge” means “to determine, to form an Judge” means “to determine, to form an

opinion” opinion” Is it proper for a woman to pray to God Is it proper for a woman to pray to God

with her head uncovered? (v13)with her head uncovered? (v13) This is another rhetorical question:This is another rhetorical question:

In verse 5, he said she dishonors her head In verse 5, he said she dishonors her head [man] in this condition[man] in this condition

In verse 6, he said she was the same a shorn In verse 6, he said she was the same a shorn or shaven or shaven

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What Nature Teaches... What Nature Teaches... First Corinthians 11:14First Corinthians 11:14

Does not even nature itself teach you that Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? (v14)him? (v14) Another rhetorical question - they should have Another rhetorical question - they should have

known the answerknown the answer ““Nature” is that sense of propriety [or natural Nature” is that sense of propriety [or natural

instinct] which all men have, and which is instinct] which all men have, and which is expressed in any prevailing or universal customexpressed in any prevailing or universal custom

Customs change because they are the product of Customs change because they are the product of man; nature never changes because it is the creation man; nature never changes because it is the creation of Godof God

““Dishonor” refers back to verse 4 - with a Dishonor” refers back to verse 4 - with a covered head, he dishonors his head [Christ]covered head, he dishonors his head [Christ]

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What Nature Teaches... What Nature Teaches... First Corinthians 11:15First Corinthians 11:15

But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering (15)covering (15) Her long hair “is given to her” by GodHer long hair “is given to her” by God In verse 6, Paul said that it is a shame for a In verse 6, Paul said that it is a shame for a

woman to have her hair shorn or shavenwoman to have her hair shorn or shaven Her long hair is her gloryHer long hair is her glory

The woman is a glory to man (v7) but her long hair is The woman is a glory to man (v7) but her long hair is a glory to herself (v15)a glory to herself (v15)

A “covering” is a noun and means the A “covering” is a noun and means the object that does the “covering over”object that does the “covering over”

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We have no such custom... We have no such custom... First Corinthians 11:16First Corinthians 11:16

““But if anyone seems to be contentious But if anyone seems to be contentious [quarrelsome], we have no such custom, [quarrelsome], we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.” (16)nor do the churches of God.” (16) The apostles or other churches did not have The apostles or other churches did not have

any such custom as that of women praying or any such custom as that of women praying or prophesying without being coveredprophesying without being covered

From verse 2, Paul reminded them to From verse 2, Paul reminded them to keep the ordinances which he had keep the ordinances which he had delivered to them earlierdelivered to them earlier This included the practice of the men being This included the practice of the men being

uncovered and the women being covered uncovered and the women being covered while praying or prophesyingwhile praying or prophesying

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End of lessonEnd of lesson

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First Corinthians “Solving Church Problems”