1 Corinthians 11:2-10
Amplified Bible
2 I praise and appreciate you because you remember me in everything and you firmly hold to the [a]traditions [the substance of my instructions], just as I have passed them on to you. 3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head (authority over) of every man, and man is the head of woman, and God is the head of Christ. 4 Every man who prays or [b]prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head [and the One who is his head]. 5 And every woman who prays or prophesies when she has her [c]head uncovered disgraces her head; for she is one and the same as the [d]woman whose head is shaved [in disgrace]. 6 If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and [e]if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, she should cover her head. 7 A man ought not have his head covered [during worship], since he is the image and [reflected] glory of God; but the woman is [the expression of] man’s glory.(A) 8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man;(B) 9 for indeed man was not created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man.(C) 10 Therefore the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, [f]for the sake of the angels [so as not to offend them].
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- 1 Corinthians 11:2 The following discourse covers appropriate conduct and relationships within the church, as well as within church-related activities.
- 1 Corinthians 11:4 The references to men or women prophesying (here and v 5) indicate that Paul has church meetings in mind, where the speaker is leading the congregation in prayer or addressing them.
- 1 Corinthians 11:5 In public, respectable women wore their hair done up in a modest style. In the Greco-Roman-Jewish culture of the time, hair worn down and loose would suggest a woman of questionable morals.
- 1 Corinthians 11:5 Possibly the mark of an adulteress or prostitute, but likely a sign of disgrace for any number of reasons. In one of Aristophanes’ comedies, for example, head shaving is recommended for a woman whose son is cowardly or otherwise worthless.
- 1 Corinthians 11:6 There is little doubt that this would appear disgraceful and embarrassing, but Paul is essentially providing his readers a simple way to determine for themselves if a woman should cover her head while prophesying or leading prayer in church.
- 1 Corinthians 11:10 This may be an indication that angels are present at gatherings of believers.
1 Corinthians 11:2-10
New American Standard Bible
2 Now (A)I praise you because you (B)remember me in everything and (C)hold firmly to the traditions, just as I handed them down to you. 3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the (D)head of every man, and [a](E)the man is the head of a woman, and God is the (F)head of Christ. 4 Every man who has something on his head while praying or (G)prophesying disgraces his head. 5 But every (H)woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for it is one and the same as the woman [b]whose head is (I)shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover [c]her head, have her also [d]cut her hair off; however, if it is disgraceful for a woman to [e]have her hair cut off or [f]her head shaved, have her cover [g]her head. 7 For a man should not have his head covered, since he is the (J)image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8 For (K)man [h]does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but (L)woman for the man’s sake. 10 Therefore the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
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- 1 Corinthians 11:3 Or the head of a woman is her husband
- 1 Corinthians 11:5 Lit who is shaved
- 1 Corinthians 11:6 Lit herself
- 1 Corinthians 11:6 Lit shear herself
- 1 Corinthians 11:6 Lit shear herself
- 1 Corinthians 11:6 Lit herself
- 1 Corinthians 11:6 Lit herself
- 1 Corinthians 11:8 Lit is not from
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