ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 1 Corinthians 11

1 Cor. 11:1 imitators of me. See Phil. 3:17; 4:9; 2 Thess. 3:7–9.

1 Cor. 11:2–14:40 Divisions over Corporate Worship. Paul addresses issues related to the Corinthians’ behavior in worship.

1 Cor. 11:2–16 Paul addresses the issue of women wearing head coverings during public worship.

1 Cor. 11:3 But shows that Paul has quickly moved from praise (v. 2) to correction. wife. See esv footnote. A woman’s head covering in first-century Roman society was a sign of marriage. Paul’s practical concern is not with the relationship between women and men generally but with the relationship between husband and wife. head. Some have argued that the Greek word used here for “head” means “source,” but in over 50 occurrences of this word in ancient sources, saying that “person A is the head of person(s) B,” person A has authority over person(s) B in every case. Therefore it is best to understand “head” here as referring metaphorically to “authority” (see also Eph. 1:22; 5:23; Col. 2:10). As with the authority of Christ over the church, however, this is not a self-centered exercise of power but is the kind of leadership that takes care to serve the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of the wife. See Mark 10:44–45; Eph. 5:23, 25–30. the head of Christ is God. See notes on John 5:19; 14:28; 1 Cor. 15:28. In marriage, as in the Trinity, there is equality in being and value but difference in roles (see Eph. 5:22–33).

1 Cor. 11:4 head covered. The Greek phrase may refer to long hair that hangs loose (vv. 14–15), to a veil that covers the face, or to a piece of cloth pulled over the head (like a modern shawl or scarf) that leaves the face revealed. Roman men sometimes pulled the loose folds of their toga over their head while they worshiped pagan gods. Paul emphasizes that men should not dishonor Christ by praying according to pagan custom (8:4). He uses the idea to prepare for his argument that wives should not pray or prophesy in public with their heads uncovered (11:5, 11).

1 Cor. 11:5–6 head uncovered. In Corinth, a married woman who uncovered her head in public would have brought shame to her husband. The action may have suggested sexual availability or implied that she was unmarried. In cultures where head coverings are not a sign of being married, wives could obey this command by wearing some other physical symbol of being married (such as a wedding ring).

1 Cor. 11:7–9 See Gen. 1:26–27; 5:1. Woman is the glory of man probably uses “glory” in the sense of “one who shows the excellence of.” Paul argues that a woman, by the excellence of her being, also shows how excellent man is, since she was made from man (1 Cor. 11:8). She was also created as a helper for man (v. 9; see also Gen. 2:20–24). Paul does not deny that the woman was also made in God’s image (see Gen. 1:27). Nor does he deny that the woman reflects God’s glory. Paul probably continues to think primarily of husband and wife here since the first man and woman were also the first married couple (Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:31). Paul’s appeal to the order of creation (see also 1 Cor. 11:3, 11–12) shows that his words are not merely directed to the cultural situation of his day. The principle of male headship in marriage continues through all generations, though some cultural expressions of that principle (e.g., that women should wear head coverings) may vary.

1 Cor. 11:10 wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head. This probably means, in the context of the Corinthian church, that the wife should wear a covering over her head as a sign that she is under her husband’s authority. because of the angels. Probably invisible heavenly beings (6:3) present when the Corinthians worship (compare Ps. 138:1). Their presence makes proper behavior in worship even more important (see also 1 Tim. 5:21; Heb. 13:2).

1 Cor. 11:11–12 Nevertheless. Paul does not want what he has just said to be misinterpreted as diminishing the importance of women. Women and men are both God’s creation and are dependent on each other.

1 Cor. 11:14 Here the word nature probably means “your natural sense of what is appropriate for men and women.” Norms of appropriate hair style (and dress) vary from culture to culture. Paul’s point is that men should look like men in that culture, and women should look like women in that culture. People should not deny the God-given differences between the sexes.

1 Cor. 11:16 See 1:2; 4:17; 7:17; 14:33; 36 for Paul’s appeal to the practice of other churches. no such practice. That is, “no such practice” as that of those who disagree with Paul.

1 Cor. 11:17–34 The Corinthians were using their gatherings around the Lord’s Table as occasions to make social distinctions between rich and poor. Paul is profoundly troubled by this development and argues strongly against it.

1 Cor. 11:17–18 hear. Paul comments on what he has heard about the Corinthian church (compare 1:11; 5:1).

1 Cor. 11:19 Those who are genuine . . . may be recognized probably refers to those whose actions during the church’s controversy have revealed strong spiritual character (compare 2 Cor. 10:18; 2 Tim. 2:15).

1 Cor. 11:23 The teaching that Paul received from the Lord and then delivered to the Corinthians (see also 7:10; 15:3) was probably learned from early followers of Christ such as Peter (Gal. 1:18), who were careful to teach only what Jesus had taught. Another possibility is that Paul received this information directly from Jesus (see 2 Cor. 12:1–4; Gal. 1:12, 17).

1 Cor. 11:24 The expression This is my body has been interpreted in various ways throughout church history. Roman Catholics believe the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ. Lutherans hold that the literal body and blood of Christ are present “in, with, and under” the bread and wine. Some Anglicans refer to the “real presence” of Christ in the bread and wine. Most other Protestants believe that Christ is present symbolically and spiritually, strengthening believers’ faith and fellowship in him and thereby feeding their souls (see Matt. 18:20; 28:20).

1 Cor. 11:25 Israel constantly broke the Mosaic covenant. Jesus replaced it with the new covenant, which provided complete atonement for all the sins of God’s people past, present, and future (Rom. 3:25–26; 2 Cor. 3:1–4:6; Heb. 8:6–13).

1 Cor. 11:27–28 Unworthy manner probably refers to the Corinthians’ divisive arrogance compared to the sacrificial, unselfish nature of Jesus’ death. Before partaking of the Lord’s Supper, Christians should examine their own lives (v. 28) and ask forgiveness for any unconfessed sin. guilty concerning the body and blood. By their selfish behavior the Corinthians were showing disrespect for Jesus himself.

1 Cor. 11:29 without discerning the body. Some scholars think Paul is still talking about the Lord’s Supper; others think he has shifted his focus to the church as the “body” of Christ. Either way, believers need to recognize the spiritual reality of what is happening as they meet together to observe the Lord’s Supper.

1 Cor. 11:31 if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. God would stop disciplining the Corinthians if they would stop their misconduct regarding the Lord’s Supper.

1 Cor. 11:32 disciplined. When suffering alerts a Christian to sin and leads to repentance, it functions as both disciplinary judgment and mercy. (See also 5:5.)