June 12, 1 Corinthians 11
The epistles show how becoming a Christian influenced the early followers of Jesus, and how those changed lives intersected with the culture around them. The letters were continuing education courses. The believers had started a journey by turning to Christ, but they needed direction, instruction and correction along the way. Each epistle addressed some problem in that church or responded to questions they had asked. That is pointedly the case in 1 Corinthians.
Sometimes the issues were big-picture doctrinal ones that would cross every cultural barrier around the world and through the centuries. At other times, the problems and the solutions seemed to be culture-specific. In those cases, we look for the abiding principle to apply in our lives instead of trying to apply the specific direction to a culture where it doesn’t fit.
There may be both universal and specific guidance in the passage about the head covering. Customs and cultures assign different meanings to head coverings. A modern western man removes his hat in church as a sign of respect. But an ancient Jew would never remove his yarmulke in the synagogue, because it was a symbol of respect for God above him. Head coverings or their absence have indicated one’s status as free or slave, whether one was a prostitute or not, and whether one was in a position of submission or authority. So it’s not always easy to sort out the universal principle from its cultural trappings.
The words about hair length for men and women lie within the discussion about head covering. It is related to nature, to the creation order and to male and female cultural roles. It is sadly ironic that people have been judged and driven away over the length of their hair, and churches have divided over the meaning and nature of the head covering Paul described here. It’s sad because the context is unity; yet these words have been made the basis for division. It’s ironic because the paragraph ends with a disclaimer about contention. Paul said the churches of God have no such practice as contention about these things; yet many have been contentious over these issues, making laws and enforcing them on others.
The trouble surrounding the Lord’s Supper at Corinth reminds us of how a beautiful channel of blessing can be perverted into a harmful curse. Remembering the body and blood of Jesus when we gather to eat the Lord’s Supper should give us spiritual strength and bind us together as one body, each member redeemed by the same Savior. But instead of remembering the Lord’s sacrifice and celebrating their oneness, the Corinthians selfishly indulged themselves without regard for one another. We are taught to remember Jesus, remember the body of Christ and to examine ourselves when we eat the Lord’s Supper. It’s a time for self-judging, course-correction and renewed love in the shadow of Jesus’ cross. It’s a shame when selfishness steals the memorial supper’s meaning and effectiveness.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Today in God's Word—June 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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