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11 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

Concerning The Wearing of Veils In Public: God Has Established Heads of Authority

Now I praise you because[a] you have remembered[b] me as to everything, and you are holding-on-to the traditions, just as I delivered to you. And[c] I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man[d], and the husband is the head of a wife, and God is the head of Christ.

Do Not Shame Your Head By How You Dress

Every[e] man praying or prophesying while having a covering down over his head is shaming[f] his head[g]. And every woman praying or prophesying with the head unveiled[h] is shaming her head, for she is one and the same[i] with the one having been shaved. For if a woman is not veiling-herself , let her also[j] have-herself-sheared. But if it is shameful for a woman to have-herself-sheared or shaved, let her be veiling-herself. For a man ought not to be veiling the head, being the image and glory of God— but the woman[k] is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. For indeed man was not created for the sake of the woman, but woman for the sake[l] of the man. 10 For this reason, the woman ought to be having authority[m] on her head because of the angels[n]. 11 Nevertheless[o] there is neither woman without man, nor man without woman in the Lord. 12 For just as the woman is from the man, so also the man is through the woman. And all things are from God.

Judge Among Yourselves Whether It Is Fitting To Ignore The Customs of The Churches

13 Judge among[p] you yourselves— is it fitting[q] that an unveiled woman should pray to God? 14 Does not even nature[r] itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him— 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? Because[s] the long hair has been given to her for[t] a covering[u]. 16 But if anyone seems[v] to be contentious, we do not have such a custom[w], nor do the churches of God.

Concerning The Lord’s Supper: Your Supper Is Unworthy of The Name

17 But while commanding this, I do not praise[x]— because you are coming-together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first, while you are coming-together in church[y], I am hearing that there are divisions among you. And a certain part of it I believe— 19 for there indeed have-to[z] be factions among you in order that the approved ones may also[aa] become known among you. 20 So while you are coming-together at the same place, it is not that you may eat the Lord’s Supper! 21 For at the eating[ab], each one is taking his own dinner before others. And one is hungry, and another is drunk. 22 You do not indeed fail to have houses for eating and drinking, do you? Or are you treating the church of God with contempt, and humiliating the ones not having? What should I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I do not praise.

The Lord’s Supper Is a Remembrance of What He Did For Us

23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed-over[ac] to you— that the Lord Jesus, in the night on which He was being handed-over, took bread. 24 And having given-thanks, He broke it and said “This is My body, the one being given[ad] for you. Be doing this for My remembrance”. 25 Similarly also the cup after the dining[ae], saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Be doing this, as-often-as you drink it, for My remembrance”. 26 For as-often-as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you are proclaiming the death of the Lord, until which time He comes.

So Don’t Partake of It In a Manner Unworthy of What He Did: Examine Yourselves

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily[af] shall be guilty[ag] of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But let a person examine himself, and in this manner let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For the one eating and drinking while not rightly-judging the body[ah] is eating and drinking judgment[ai] on himself. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and many sleep. 31 But if we were rightly-judging ourselves, we would not be being[aj] judged. 32 But while being judged, we are being disciplined[ak] by the Lord in-order-that we might not be condemned with the world.

Partake of It Together With Proper Respect For One Another

33 So then, my brothers, while coming-together so as to eat, be waiting-for one another. 34 If one is hungry, let him eat at home, in-order-that you might not come-together for[al] judgment. And I will set-in-order the remaining things whenever I come.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 11:2 Or, that.
  2. 1 Corinthians 11:2 Or, kept me in mind.
  3. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Paul begins to expound upon the next topic about which the Corinthians had kept him in mind in their letter (7:1). Or, But; Paul begins to correct them regarding an issue about which they had not kept him in mind or held on to his teaching.
  4. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Or, husband.
  5. 1 Corinthians 11:4 Now Paul applies the general principle in verse 3 to a question specific to their culture.
  6. 1 Corinthians 11:4 Or, dishonoring.
  7. 1 Corinthians 11:4 That is, Christ; or, his physical head, and thus, himself. Similarly next.
  8. 1 Corinthians 11:5 Or, without-a-head-covering.
  9. 1 Corinthians 11:5 She has identified herself with society’s shameful.
  10. 1 Corinthians 11:6 If you are going this far in violating proper decorum, why not go all the way and cut off your hair!
  11. 1 Corinthians 11:7 That is, Adam and Eve reflect their Creator’s glory, including the dominion they share as a pair, Gen 1:26-28. But Eve also reflects Adam’s glory, having been created from him (v 8) as his counterpart (v 9). The aspects of her that reflect Adam’s glory are specifically related to her as his counterpart and mate. Honoring her ‘mateness’ in whatever way her society deems appropriate is honoring him, herself, her marriage, and her Creator. So wear the veil. Or, man reflects the glory of God in a way woman does not, because he is in the position of authority and rule.
  12. 1 Corinthians 11:9 That is, as his counterpart, as a mate suitable to him and completing the pair, Gen 2:18-24.
  13. 1 Corinthians 11:10 That is, a symbol of her mate’s authority over her in the God-given chain of relationships (v 3). Or, control over her head; that is, so as not to bring shame on herself and others.
  14. 1 Corinthians 11:10 Compare 4:9.
  15. 1 Corinthians 11:11 The creation of woman from man and for man is the order of the first creation, but not the new creation ‘in the Lord’. At present we all live in both spheres. Balancing freedom ‘in the Lord’ with what was ‘fitting’ (v 13) in their culture so as not to bring unnecessary shame on Christ is Paul’s goal in this discussion.
  16. 1 Corinthians 11:13 Or, within.
  17. 1 Corinthians 11:13 Or, proper, suitable, becoming, seemly. Our ‘judgment’ as to what is ‘fitting’ for this issue differs by culture. It would be just as unseemly for us in western cultures to force the wearing of veils upon women as it was for the women of Paul’s day not to wear them.
  18. 1 Corinthians 11:14 That is, the physical makeup of man and woman, woman generally having a richer endowment of hair; or, the natural disposition and preferences of men and women, as reflected in the customs regarding hair.
  19. 1 Corinthians 11:15 Or, That, making this a second question.
  20. 1 Corinthians 11:15 Or, corresponding to, answering to.
  21. 1 Corinthians 11:15 That is, a woman’s covering of hair honors her in a special way, and as such, shows that a veil is also honorable.
  22. 1 Corinthians 11:16 Or, thinks, presumes.
  23. 1 Corinthians 11:16 That is, if you want to debate this, we have no other custom. This is the practice we are accustomed to in the churches. Or, we have no custom of fighting about these things.
  24. 1 Corinthians 11:17 Compare 11:2.
  25. 1 Corinthians 11:18 Or, an assembly. That is, in home meetings.
  26. 1 Corinthians 11:19 Or, must.
  27. 1 Corinthians 11:19 Or, indeed. Choices between right and wrong, good and bad, separate the approved from the disapproved.
  28. 1 Corinthians 11:21 That is, the eating of the love feast, the dinner associated with the Lord’s Supper in that day.
  29. 1 Corinthians 11:23 Or, delivered, handed-down.
  30. 1 Corinthians 11:24 This is supplied from Lk 22:19. Or, broken, from earlier in this verse.
  31. 1 Corinthians 11:25 That is, the eating of the Passover dinner.
  32. 1 Corinthians 11:27 That is, in a manner unworthy of the Lord, such as what the Corinthians were doing, v 18-22.
  33. 1 Corinthians 11:27 Or, liable for, answerable for.
  34. 1 Corinthians 11:29 That is, the Lord’s body being remembered by eating the bread; and thus, treating this Supper as common and failing to examine themselves in light of the full meaning of it. Or, the church, your fellow believers; and thus, failing to properly honor those with whom you are partaking.
  35. 1 Corinthians 11:29 That is, discipline, as Paul says in v 32.
  36. 1 Corinthians 11:31 Or, be experiencing judgment, as just described.
  37. 1 Corinthians 11:32 Or, corrected, trained, educated, as His children.
  38. 1 Corinthians 11:34 Or, resulting in, leading to.

11 Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.(A)

Instructions about Head Coverings

Now I praise you[a] because you always remember me and keep the traditions(B) just as I delivered(C) them to you. But I want you to know that Christ is the head(D) of every man, and the man is the head of the woman,[b](E) and God is the head of Christ.(F) Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors(G) his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved.(H) So if a woman’s head[c] is not covered, her hair should be cut off. But if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, she should be covered.

A man, in fact, should not cover his head, because he is God’s image(I) and glory,(J) but woman is man’s glory. For man did not come from woman, but woman came from man.(K) And man was not created for woman, but woman for man. 10 This is why a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, and man is not independent of woman. 12 For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman, and all things come from God.(L)

13 Judge(M) for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach(N) you that if a man has long hair it is a disgrace(O) to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory?(P) For her hair is given to her[d] as a covering. 16 But if anyone wants to argue about this, we have no other[e] custom, nor do the churches of God.

The Lord’s Supper

17 Now in giving the following instruction I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For to begin with, I hear that when you come together as a church there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 There must, indeed, be factions(Q) among you, so that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore, when you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s Supper.(R) 21 For at the meal, each one eats his own supper ahead of others. So one person is hungry while another gets drunk! 22 Don’t you have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you look down on the church of God and embarrass those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I do not praise you for this!

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:(S) On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 gave thanks, broke it, and said,[f] “This is My body, which is[g] for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”(T)

25 In the same way, after supper He also took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant(U) established by My blood.(V) 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(W) until He comes.(X)

Self-Examination

27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body[h] and blood of the Lord. 28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body,[i] eats and drinks judgment(Y) on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep.(Z) 31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged,(AA) we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned(AB) with the world.

33 Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you gather together you will not come under judgment. And I will give instructions about the other matters whenever I come.(AC)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 11:2 Other mss add brothers,
  2. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Or the husband is the head of the wife
  3. 1 Corinthians 11:6 Lit a woman
  4. 1 Corinthians 11:15 Other mss omit to her
  5. 1 Corinthians 11:16 Or no such
  6. 1 Corinthians 11:24 Other mss add “Take, eat.
  7. 1 Corinthians 11:24 Other mss add broken
  8. 1 Corinthians 11:27 Lit be guilty of the body
  9. 1 Corinthians 11:29 Other mss read drinks unworthily, not discerning the Lord’s body

11 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

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.

11 Follow my example, just like I follow Christ’s.

Appropriate dress in worship

I praise you because you remember all my instructions, and you hold on to the traditions exactly as I handed them on to you. Now I want you to 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 who prays or prophesies with his head covered shames his head. Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered disgraces her head. It is the same thing as having her head shaved. If a woman doesn’t cover her head, then she should have her hair cut off. If it is disgraceful for a woman to have short hair or to be shaved, then she should keep her head covered. A man shouldn’t have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is man’s glory. Man didn’t have his origin from woman, but woman from man; and man wasn’t created for the sake of the woman, but the woman for the sake of the man. 10 Because of this a woman should have authority over her head, because of the angels. 11 However, woman isn’t independent from man, and man isn’t independent from woman in the Lord. 12 As woman came from man so also man comes from woman. But everything comes from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: Is it appropriate for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Doesn’t nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him; 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? This is because her long hair is given to her for a covering. 16 But if someone wants to argue about this, we don’t have such a custom, nor do God’s churches.

The community meal

17 Now I don’t praise you as I give the following instruction because when you meet together, it does more harm than good. 18 First of all, when you meet together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and I partly believe it. 19 It’s necessary that there are groups among you, to make it clear who is genuine. 20 So when you get together in one place, it isn’t to eat the Lord’s meal. 21 Each of you goes ahead and eats a private meal. One person goes hungry while another is drunk. 22 Don’t you have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you look down on God’s churches and humiliate those who have nothing? What can I say to you? Will I praise you? No, I don’t praise you in this.

23 I received a tradition from the Lord, which I also handed on to you: on the night on which he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread. 24 After giving thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this to remember me.” 25 He did the same thing with the cup, after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Every time you drink it, do this to remember me.” 26 Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you broadcast the death of the Lord until he comes.

27 This is why those who eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord inappropriately will be guilty of the Lord’s body and blood. 28 Each individual should test himself or herself, and eat from the bread and drink from the cup in that way. 29 Those who eat and drink without correctly understanding the body are eating and drinking their own judgment. 30 Because of this, many of you are weak and sick, and quite a few have died. 31 But if we had judged ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged. 32 However, we are disciplined by the Lord when we are judged so that we won’t be judged and condemned along with the whole world. 33 For these reasons, my brothers and sisters, when you get together to eat, wait for each other. 34 If some of you are hungry, they should eat at home so that getting together doesn’t lead to judgment. I will give directions about the other things when I come.