11:1 imitators of me Paul concludes his exhortation from 10:23–33 with this command. The emphasis is on following Christ’s example. See note on 4:16.

11:2–16 Paul turns to the topic of worship practices within the churches, a subject that dominates the remainder of his letter (11:2–14:40). Some of the specific issues Paul raises seem intended for particular areas of abuse within the Corinthian church: women failing to wear head coverings in worship (vv. 2–16), improper observance of the Lord’s Supper (vv. 17–34), and misuse of spiritual gifts (12:1–14:40).

11:2 I praise you In Paul’s time, the socially elite valued praise. Paul shifts to what he does not praise them for in v. 17.

you remember me in all things Implies that the Corinthian believers carried out some of Paul’s instruction.

traditions Instructions passed down orally. In this context, these traditions concern the worship event in the Corinthian church.

11:3 of every man Refers only to believers.

head The Greek word used here, kephalē, may imply authority or source. The term could have either meaning in ancient Greek literature. Alternatively, the word may denote preeminence or a combination of these meanings.

11:4 having something on his head Paul may be referring to a head covering used in Roman religious practice. Socially elite believers may have continued to wear such head coverings when gathering for worship. If so, they brought attention to themselves and may have ostracized those who felt socially inferior, causing division in the church community.

11:5 who prays or prophesies Refers to public prayer and prophecy.

prophesies Refers to inspired speech to edify and encourage the church community. See note on 1 Cor 12:10.

with uncovered head Paul’s comment assumes the cultural practice of covering a women’s hair and head during times of worship. Paul discouraged women from uncovering their heads in such contexts. See note on v. 4.

dishonors her head Indicates that a woman dishonors a man when she takes on the appearance of a man.

11:6 to have her head shorn or shaved In Paul’s day, a woman with an uncovered head may have been considered sexually revealing and thus a distraction to men in the context of worship. Paul therefore recommends that women should wear head coverings to avoid such issues.

11:7 image and glory of God See note on Gen 1:27.

11:8 woman from man Eve literally came from Adam—from his rib (though she was still created by God). See Gen 2:18–23.

11:9 woman for the sake of the man Paul is referencing the order of creation (Gen 2:18). He is not suggesting that women are created for the purpose of pleasing men; rather, he is focusing on the created order and Eve’s role as a partner in maintaining God’s creation.

11:10 a symbol of authority This suggestion both satisfied cultural norms and would help resolve problems within the Corinthian community. See note on 1 Cor 11:6.

on account of the angels Paul’s reasoning is not entirely clear within its immediate context. Since a woman’s long hair was a symbol of her sexuality, Paul may be recommending for a woman to cover her hair to keep angels from being tempted—not just men. In this case, Paul may have in mind incidents like the story of Gen 6:1–4 (compare 2 Pet 2:4–7; Jude 6–7). Alternatively, he may be drawing on Jewish traditions that regarded angels as protectors of God’s glory and honor.

11:11 apart from man Both men and women are created by God and are equally valued in the created order. See note on 1 Cor 11:9.

11:12 the man is through the woman Refers to Gen 2:21–23 and reinforces the idea that woman and man are mutually dependent. Although Eve was created from Adam’s rib, this does not make her inferior to him because by the same logic—according to Paul—men are derived from women because they are born from women.

11:13 pray to God with her head uncovered Head coverings may have signified that a woman participated in public worship through prayer.

11:14 nature The Greek text here may refer to a general opinion about what is appropriate for men and women.

dishonor to him Men are able to grow their hair as long as women, but to do so would have been against social norms and thus problematic to the gospel message in Corinth.

11:15 her glory Paul is saying that it is permissible for a woman to have long hair. The sexual desire of men should not hinder this (see note on 1 Cor 11:6).

11:16 contentious Paul means that if his opinion will not be accepted by some in the community, then he lacks an alternative practice to offer them. The Corinthians need to decide on a resolution that will maintain unity within the church (see chs. 12–13). Paul maintains that if they continue to be divided over the issue after his solution has been implemented, they will need to find a peaceful alternative.

custom Some women were not covered with a veil when they prayed; this was practiced in the Corinthian church. See note on v. 6; note on v. 10. This entire discussion may have been unique to Corinth—Paul was aware that his letter may have been passed around to other churches, so he includes this disclaimer.

11:17–34 Paul gives instructions about the proper observance of the Lord’s Supper. Apparently, the church was divided on socioeconomic grounds, with the wealthier members abusing their position and status by inhibiting fellowship with the poorer members of the church. Paul hinted at the solution to this division earlier by emphasizing the unity of the body of Christ (10:17). The abuse of the Lord’s Supper within the Corinthian church was causing them to lose sight of its purpose: fellowship between believers and identification with Christ and His sacrifice. 1 Corinthians 11:17–34 NICNT 1 Co 1 Corinthians 11:17–34 1 Corinthians (IVP)

11:17 instruction Refers to the instruction concerning the Lord’s Supper (vv. 17–34).

I do not praise you Paul uses this statement to assign blame to the Corinthians. Compare v. 2.

you come together Refers to worship gatherings.

11:18 there are divisions among you Refers to divisions between social classes. Paul may have heard about these divisions from Chloe’s household (1:11).

11:19 factions Refers to division (see v. 18).

11:20 the Lord’s supper Refers to the meal that Jesus instituted, symbolizing His death (Luke 22:14–23). The Corinthians, however, did not eat the Lord’s Supper together; the division between the rich and poor altered their practice. The Corinthian believers probably had a large meal, known as a love feast, that included the Lord’s Supper.

11:21 each one of you Refers to the wealthy believers in Corinth.

his own supper Some of the wealthy believers may have had their own meals and did not share with (or invite) poor believers. See note on 1 Cor 11:18.

11:22 do you despise the church of God The actions of wealthy believers showed that they did not value poor believers in their church community (ekklēsia in Greek). Thus, they damaged the unity and fellowship of the church.

The Church Devotional

Ekklēsia Word Study

humiliate those who do not have Paul addresses the wealthy Corinthian believers who ruined the sanctity of the Lord’s Supper for poor believers. See note on v. 18.

11:23 I received from the Lord May imply that Paul received this instruction by direct revelation, but most likely recognizes Jesus as the source of the instruction (compare 15:3). This instruction may have already become a well-established tradition among the Church in the first century by the time this letter was written.

11:24 This section refers to the events of Luke 22:19–20. Lord’s Supper DPL Lord’s Supper DLNT

Do this in remembrance of me Jesus, His sacrifice, and its implications are the objects of remembrance for believers.

11:25 cup Refers to the cup of blessing used in the Passover meal, which symbolized the blood of the covenant (Exod 24:8; Luke 22:20).

new covenant Refers to the covenant that fulfilled and replaced the Mosaic covenant (see Jer 31:31–34; 32:40; compare Exod 24; 2 Cor 3:7–18). Through this covenant of Christ’s death, God offers forgiveness, eternal life, and the Holy Spirit that empowers believers to live God’s commandments. Compare Luke 22:20.

in my blood Refers to Christ’s violent and sacrificial death. Blood functioned to seal a covenant (see Exod 24:8; compare Zech 9:11; Heb 9:18–20; 13:20).

11:26 until he comes Refers to the second coming of Christ.

11:27 in an unworthy manner Paul is referring to the Corinthian believers’ misuse of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:18)—they were missing the point of the meal, hindering their relationships with other believers and thus hindering the spread of the gospel (especially among the poor). They had even been driving fellow believers away from gatherings that were meant to celebrate Jesus—who offered His life for all without qualification of wealth or status. See note on 1:27–28.

will be guilty of the body People who sin in this way are like those who originally crucified the Lord Jesus. They are not honoring Christ’s death but are instead making a mockery of it.

11:28 examine Refers to testing or proving to be genuine. See v. 19; and note on v. 21.

11:29 he does not recognize All believers, despite their economic status, are a part of the Christian community and Christ’s work in the world.

11:30 Because of this, many are weak Represents God’s judgment for their failure to recognize all believers as the body of Christ. Disobedience in the ancient world was often linked to disease and death (see Acts 5:1–11).

11:32 we will not be condemned Refers to the final judgment at His second coming (see 1 Cor 11:26; Rom 2:5 and note).

11:33 wait for one another See note on 1 Cor 11:18.

11:34 If anyone is hungry In the first century, food shortages were common disasters. The crisis that Paul mentions in 7:26 may have been a food shortage.