1 Corinthians 11

Passage overview

1 Corinthians 11 contains Paul’s counsel to the church in Corinth about important order related to worship. It can be broadly divided into the roles of men and women in public worship (verses 1–16) and the proper meaning and posture of the Lord’s Supper (verses 17–34). This chapter is a passage where you can confirm how the early faith community’s real-world issues are addressed by applying theological principles.

1verseBe imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.

2verseNow I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.

3verseBut I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

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

5verseBut every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved.

6verseFor if a woman is not covered, let her hair also be cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or be shaved, let her be covered.

7verseFor a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man.

8verseFor man is not from woman, but woman from man;

9versefor man wasn’t created for the woman, but woman for the man.

10verseFor this cause the woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.

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

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

13verseJudge for yourselves. Is it appropriate that a woman pray to God unveiled?

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

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

16verseBut if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God’s assemblies.

17verseBut in giving you this command I don’t praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse.

18verseFor first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it.

19verseFor there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you.

20verseWhen therefore you assemble yourselves together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.

21verseFor in your eating each one takes his own supper first. One is hungry, and another is drunken.

22verseWhat, don’t you have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise God’s assembly and put them to shame who don’t have enough? What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don’t praise you.

23verseFor I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread.

24verseWhen he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.”

25verseIn the same way he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.”

26verseFor as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

27verseTherefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.

28verseBut let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

29verseFor he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body.

30verseFor this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep.

31verseFor if we discerned ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged.

32verseBut when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

33verseTherefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

34verseBut if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest your coming together be for judgment. The rest I will set in order whenever I come.

Verses 1–16: The Roles of Men and Women in Worship

In this section, customs related to head covering during worship are mentioned, and Paul explains order and roles between men and women. Paul refers to ‘every man’s head,’ emphasizing order and authority (verse 3). The issue of head covering is closely connected to the social and cultural context of Corinth at that time. Paul wants the church to worship in an atmosphere of order rather than confusion, and emphasizes an attitude in which men and women maintain their own identity while also respecting one another. Importantly, it becomes clear that these instructions are not limited to merely outward actions; they also reflect the fundamental principles of order and consideration within the community.

Verses 17–34: The Meaning of the Lord’s Supper and Proper Participation

The second part is Paul’s instruction regarding the Lord’s Supper. Paul expresses concern about the problem of discrimination and division among the believers in the Corinthian church (verse 18). He points out that, contrary to the Lord’s Supper’s original meaning, it was being carried out in a way that harmed the unity of the community (verses 20–22). Paul reminds the believers of the original meaning of the Lord’s Supper instituted by Jesus and emphasizes that they should examine themselves and participate appropriately (verses 27–29). He explains that the Lord’s Supper commemorates Jesus’ death and is the core act of faith that calls the church to remember love and unity within the community.

Meditation Points

  • You can reflect on why essential order and consideration are important during worship.
  • Consider how the community’s traditions and cultural context influence your life of faith.
  • You can also imprint on your heart Jesus’ love in the Lord’s Supper and our community’s unity.

Apply It to Yourself

  • When I participate in worship, take a moment to check whether I have an attitude of reverence before God as well as a willingness to care for the community.
  • When I participate in the Lord’s Supper, think about whether it is becoming a time for me to deeply remember its meaning, reflect on my life, and restore my relationships with those around me.