1 Corinthians 11
by Pastor Mark R. Hudson

Paul is responding to various questions the Corinthian church had about a variety of issues. Public worship was an issue that prompted various concerns and questions. This chapter deals with authority and the Lord’s Supper. You don’t need me to tell how much controversy over the centuries these topics have prompted. We will only have space for the first topic.
Regarding vs. 2-16, this must be one of the harder passages to interpret and apply. There are a few key phrases and words we need to understand to come to a clearer grasp of what Paul is communicating. The word the ESV translates as head, honor and dishonor, the significance of long and short hair, what cover, or uncovered hair means, glory of man or God, because of the angels, nature and what it teaches, etc.
If this was easy, scholars would not have to keep writing about it. But they still write. First the meaning of head. (This is so rapid I feel I am disrespecting the text and those who work through this). Most scholars have understood head as closely related to authority. In more recent times, “source” has been offered as an alternative translation. But notice how Paul argues in this section. He goes deep in theology. Verse three points us the difference between role and function and not one of essence. The head of every man is Christ. Christ is superior to the inferior man. The wife is not inferior to her head, her husband. Yet her role is to submit. Just as Christ is not inferior to God but he submits to the plan of God by coming to earth and suffering.
The head of Christ is God the Father but there is not superiority or inferiority. To suggest that is blasphemy. Yet the Son does submit to the Father’s will. Just as there is no inferiority between the Son and the Father, there is no inferiority between a husband and a wife, yet the wife submits to her husband. This idea of the Son submitting to the Father requires not only deep reflection but going back again and again over the years pleading to God for understanding. Sometimes it takes us years to understand certain passages.
Admittedly, Paul states some things rather quickly without explanation, so we are left wondering exactly what he is referring to. In public worship, Paul is advocating that the woman and man demonstrate their submission to God and in the wife’s case to her husband. That does not mean all women should submit to men. This does not hint, imply, or state that a woman is inferior to a man. That is a serious twisting of the Scripture. And an awful way to think about other human beings.
It does seem that Paul is allowing wives to pray or prophecy in public worship if they are submissive to authority in verse 5. This requirement to show submission does not exclude husbands or males. They, too, are under authority. They must not be covered before God. All of us are submitting to someone all the time. For Paul, authority and recognizing and submitting to authority is crucial.
Notice how much of what Paul argues harkens back to creation. In v. 7, Paul is linking his teaching back to creation. The same is true for v. 8. Verses 11 and 12 are in this same category.
So, I can see why some people think a woman should wear something on their head in public worship. I can follow the argument. But the more significant aspects of Paul’s teaching is the recognition and joyful submission to God’s created order. There is also in this passage the God glorifying beauty of masculinity and the wonder of divine femininity.
As you know, our culture shares some traits with the first century when Christianity started to take root. We are celebrating debauchery and sexual immorality and have been since Adam. But this religion (and it is a religion, a worldview that competes with Christianity and is attempting to silence a Christian worldview) is growing but will leave many in bondage to sin. So here is Paul and the entire Bible, placarding this majestic vision of godly masculinity and mature femininity.
I want to recommend a resource for those who want to explore this more. Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood. Edited by John Piper and Wayne Grudem. This is not the only book on the subject, but worth reading. Let me also remind you that you can listen to sermons on our website: https://tyronepca.org/sermon-online/ .
The authority of God is no small theme in the Bible. And God has shared his authority with people. In these verses, Paul is concentrating on authority in worship. We should all gladly submit to those over us in the church. And we should remember that these leaders submit to Christ who is head of the church.
All authority comes from God and God gives men and woman authority. When we respect those in authority over us, we are recognizing their God-given authority. We therefore respect God when we submit to others. Submission is always to a person (or persons). We submit to a parent, a government official, pastor, judge, etc. A Christian “sees” God’s authority behind those groups or individuals. Submission for believers is a good and godly word.
Father, I tend to see only the negative side of submission. I confess, I am not much different than the culture I daily imbibe yet criticize at the same time. I often fail to look beyond the person or persons to the God who gives leaders authority. Help me to pray for those in authority since I do not understand how challenging it is for them. Give me Your Spirit so I can “see” more clearly how submissive our Lord was. Help me to focus on Him more than my minor inconveniences. In Christ’s glorious name. Amen.