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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
(1Co_11:2 to 1Co_14:40)
(1Co_11:2 to 1Co_14:40)
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one main subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO 1Co_11:2-34
A. Chapters 11 through 14 deal with matters of gathered worship. They form a unified literary unit.
1. men's and women's attire and actions (1Co_11:2-16)
2. observance of the Lord's Supper (1Co_11:17-34)
3. the exercise of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14)
B. When I say "gathered worship" there are two possible settings.
1. small groups meeting regularly in houses throughout, some in wealthy neighborhoods, some in ethnic quarters, some in slave quarters
2. periodically (exact time frame uncertain) these small house churches gathered together for a city-wide worship event (i.e., the agapç meal with the celebration of the Eucharist)
3. whether there is a different set of protocols for the house churches vs. the gathered event is uncertain
C. There have been several ways to understand 1Co_11:2-16.
1. This context primarily deals with proper decorum (cf. 1Co_11:13) in gathered worship, not the relationship between men and women (cf. 1Co_11:11-12).
2. This context deals with the new freedom in Christ which the Roman men and women in the church at Corinth were using to flaunt their social status (men) and independence from tradition and culture (women).
3. This context deals with the creation relationship between husbands and wives (cf. Eph_5:22-31; 1Ti_2:9-15). The proper relationship is based on Genesis 2-3, which shows the priority of men because of the original creation of Adam and the initial rebellion of Eve.
4. Paul's discussion of head coverings is not limited to women, but is also addressed to men. As usual in Corinth the problem is from two directions. As a sign of their elite social status some men were covering their heads when they led in gathered worship as they had done in paganism. As a sign of their social emancipation women were removing their marriage veils when they led in gathered worship (cf. Bruce W. Winter, After Paul Left Corinth, pp. 121-141). This text uniquely suits Roman Corinth. In Jewish life and Greek life women did not normally wear head coverings.
It seems that this ambiguous context is open to multiple interpretations. These interpretations say more about the interpreter's biases than Paul's intent. A text which has been and can be understood in so many ways by sincere believers must surely not be used in a definitive, dogmatic way to restrict or advocate the place and function of women in the church or the relationship between men and women in all ages and cultures. It amazes me that some believers relegate the chapter 11 discussion of head coverings for men and women to a cultural issue (even though Paul appeals to Genesis 1-3), while at the same time, demanding Paul's limits on women in church as a principle for all ages. It is this lack of consistency that causes so much trouble in interpretation. The best brief discussion of this complicated and emotional issue is in How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Fee and Stuart, pp. 61-77 or Gospel and Spirit, by Gordon Fee.
D. This chapter helps us see that some theological symbols and privileges must be limited or expanded in relationship to the culture in which the mature Christian finds himself/herself. A book that has helped me in this area is Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, How To Read the Bible For All Its Worth, pp. 71-89.
E. This is the earliest written account of the Lord's Supper/Eucharist/Communion.
F. The purposes of the Lord's Supper
1. unity and fellowship of the church
2. expression of Jesus' presence
3. expression of Jesus' historical sacrifice
4. expression of our new relationship to God through Christ
5. an act of proclaiming the past event and the future coming of Christ
6. a serious act of worship
From 1Co_10:16-17 it is certain that Paul viewed this experience as more than merely symbolic or memorial (cf. 1Co_11:24-25). However, this concept is not developed. Possibly Joh_6:41-71 (although nothing in the immediate context relates to the Lord's Supper) is an aspect of this spiritual unity. Christianity is primarily a personal faith relationship with the Triune God.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Are modern Christians to duplicate all of the rituals and forms of the NT church?
2. What does 1Co_11:2-16 say about female participation in leadership roles in public worship?
3. What does the veil correspond to today?
4. Explain the problem of unveiled women and veiled men in a Roman first century culture.
5. What is Paul's major purpose in discussing the Lord's Supper in chapter 11?
6. How do you explain 1Co_11:30?