Head Coverings

Now I commend you (A)because you remember me in everything and (B)maintain the traditions (C)even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that (D)the head of every man is Christ, (E)the head of a wife[a] is her husband,[b] and (F)the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife[c] who prays or (G)prophesies (H)with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same (I)as if her head were shaven. For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to cover his head, since (J)he is the image and glory of God, but (K)woman is the glory of man. For (L)man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but (M)woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.[d] 11 Nevertheless, (N)in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And (O)all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 (P)If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do (Q)the churches of God.

The Lord's Supper

17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, (R)I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part,[e] 19 for (S)there must be factions among you in order (T)that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, (U)another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise (V)the church of God and (W)humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.

23 For (X)I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that (Y)the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for[f] you. Do this in remembrance of me.”[g] 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death (Z)until he comes.

27 (AA)Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord (AB)in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning (AC)the body and blood of the Lord. 28 (AD)Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some (AE)have died.[h] 31 (AF)But if we judged[i] ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, (AG)we are disciplined[j] so that we may not be (AH)condemned along with the world.

33 So then, my brothers,[k] when you come together to eat, wait for[l] one another— 34 (AI)if anyone is hungry, (AJ)let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things (AK)I will give directions (AL)when I come.

Spiritual Gifts

12 Now (AM)concerning[m] spiritual gifts,[n] brothers,[o] I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that (AN)when you were pagans (AO)you were led astray to (AP)mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that (AQ)no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is (AR)accursed!” and (AS)no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

Now (AT)there are varieties of gifts, but (AU)the same Spirit; and (AV)there are varieties of service, but (AW)the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is (AX)the same God who empowers them all in everyone. (AY)To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of (AZ)wisdom, and to another the utterance of (BA)knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another (BB)faith by the same Spirit, to another (BC)gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another (BD)the working of miracles, to another (BE)prophecy, to another (BF)the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another (BG)various kinds of tongues, to another (BH)the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, (BI)who apportions to each one individually (BJ)as he wills.

One Body with Many Members

12 For just as (BK)the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, (BL)so it is with Christ. 13 For (BM)in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—(BN)Jews or Greeks, slaves[p] or free—and (BO)all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, (BP)God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, (BQ)as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts,[q] yet one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, (BR)all rejoice together.

27 Now (BS)you are the body of Christ and individually (BT)members of it. 28 And (BU)God has appointed in the church first (BV)apostles, second (BW)prophets, third teachers, then (BX)miracles, then (BY)gifts of healing, (BZ)helping, (CA)administrating, and (CB)various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But (CC)earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way.

The Way of Love

13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have (CD)prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, (CE)so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (CF)If I give away all I have, and (CG)if I deliver up my body to be burned,[r] but have not love, I gain nothing.

(CH)Love is patient and (CI)kind; love (CJ)does not envy or boast; it (CK)is not arrogant or rude. It (CL)does not insist on its own way; it (CM)is not irritable or resentful;[s] it (CN)does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but (CO)rejoices with the truth. (CP)Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, (CQ)endures all things.

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For (CR)we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but (CS)when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For (CT)now we see in a mirror dimly, but (CU)then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as (CV)I have been fully known.

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Greek gunē. This term may refer to a woman or a wife, depending on the context
  2. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Greek anēr. This term may refer to a man or a husband, depending on the context
  3. 1 Corinthians 11:5 In verses 5–13, the Greek word gunē is translated wife in verses that deal with wearing a veil, a sign of being married in first-century culture
  4. 1 Corinthians 11:10 Or messengers, that is, people sent to observe and report
  5. 1 Corinthians 11:18 Or I believe a certain report
  6. 1 Corinthians 11:24 Some manuscripts broken for
  7. 1 Corinthians 11:24 Or as my memorial; also verse 25
  8. 1 Corinthians 11:30 Greek have fallen asleep (as in 15:6, 20)
  9. 1 Corinthians 11:31 Or discerned
  10. 1 Corinthians 11:32 Or when we are judged we are being disciplined by the Lord
  11. 1 Corinthians 11:33 Or brothers and sisters
  12. 1 Corinthians 11:33 Or share with
  13. 1 Corinthians 12:1 The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians' letter; see 7:1
  14. 1 Corinthians 12:1 Or spiritual persons
  15. 1 Corinthians 12:1 Or brothers and sisters
  16. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
  17. 1 Corinthians 12:20 Or members; also verse 22
  18. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts deliver up my body [to death] that I may boast
  19. 1 Corinthians 13:5 Greek irritable and does not count up wrongdoing

On Covering the Head in Worship

I praise you(A) for remembering me in everything(B) and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.(C) But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ,(D) and the head of the woman is man,[a](E) and the head of Christ is God.(F) Every man who prays or prophesies(G) with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies(H) with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.(I) For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

A man ought not to cover his head,[b] since he is the image(J) and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;(K) neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.(L) 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own[c] head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.(M)

13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.(N)

Correcting an Abuse of the Lord’s Supper(O)

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you,(P) for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions(Q) among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.(R) 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers.(S) As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God(T) by humiliating those who have nothing?(U) What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you?(V) Certainly not in this matter!

23 For I received from the Lord(W) what I also passed on to you:(X) The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body,(Y) which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant(Z) in my blood;(AA) do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.(AB)

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.(AC) 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves(AD) before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.(AE) 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.(AF) 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined(AG) so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.(AH)

33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry(AI) should eat something at home,(AJ) so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come(AK) I will give further directions.

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit,(AL) brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.(AM) You know that when you were pagans,(AN) somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.(AO) Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,”(AP) and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,”(AQ) except by the Holy Spirit.(AR)

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit(AS) distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone(AT) it is the same God(AU) at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.(AV) To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,(AW) to another a message of knowledge(AX) by means of the same Spirit, to another faith(AY) by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing(AZ) by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers,(BA) to another prophecy,(BB) to another distinguishing between spirits,(BC) to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[d](BD) and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[e] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,(BE) and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body,(BF) so it is with Christ.(BG) 13 For we were all baptized(BH) by[f] one Spirit(BI) so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free(BJ)—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.(BK) 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.(BL)

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed(BM) the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.(BN) 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.(BO)

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ,(BP) and each one of you is a part of it.(BQ) 28 And God has placed in the church(BR) first of all apostles,(BS) second prophets,(BT) third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,(BU) of helping, of guidance,(BV) and of different kinds of tongues.(BW) 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[g]?(BX) Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire(BY) the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

13 If I speak in the tongues[h](BZ) of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy(CA) and can fathom all mysteries(CB) and all knowledge,(CC) and if I have a faith(CD) that can move mountains,(CE) but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor(CF) and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[i](CG) but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient,(CH) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.(CI) It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,(CJ) it is not easily angered,(CK) it keeps no record of wrongs.(CL) Love does not delight in evil(CM) but rejoices with the truth.(CN) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.(CO)

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,(CP) they will cease; where there are tongues,(CQ) they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part(CR) and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes,(CS) what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood(CT) behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;(CU) then we shall see face to face.(CV) Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.(CW)

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.(CX) But the greatest of these is love.(CY)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Or of the wife is her husband
  2. 1 Corinthians 11:7 Or Every man who prays or prophesies with long hair dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with no covering of hair dishonors her head—she is just like one of the “shorn women.” If a woman has no covering, let her be for now with short hair; but since it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair shorn or shaved, she should grow it again. A man ought not to have long hair
  3. 1 Corinthians 11:10 Or have a sign of authority on her
  4. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
  5. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
  6. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or with; or in
  7. 1 Corinthians 12:30 Or other languages
  8. 1 Corinthians 13:1 Or languages
  9. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts body to the flames

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

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

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.

Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.

21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

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

29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.