Sermon Text:

We are continuing our series Growing in Grace, working our way passage by passage through the book of 1 Corinthians using a method called expository preaching. That just means that as the preacher, I am explaining what the text means and applying its truths to our current situation. The main points in my sermons should come directly from the teaching of the author of the passage.

I preach this way because my confidence is not in my own ideas about what we need to hear, but in the holy word of God. The Holy Spirit has inspired and organized this material and has balanced it perfectly to give us what we need to grow. That means I do not get to skip the hard passages or those things I prefer not to preach about. I am not free to focus on my favorite topics or ideas. My charge every week is to faithfully preach whatever comes next in the word of God, trusting Him to work through His word to bear fruit in His people.

That brings us to chapter 11. Today we will look at verse 2 through 16 and this first part of chapter 11 is an extremely difficult passage. Nearly every sentence in this passage has some difficulty in interpretation and application. Many of the best and most reliable scholars are divided on what many of these things mean and so I am sure that I am not going to be able to answer all the questions about this passage and that is ok. As believers, we are not required by God to know every answer. We are required, however, to seek to understand, and to obey to the best of our abilities.

Therefore, I am not going to try and work through every technical difficulty in this text with a 40-minute sermon. If you would like to dig deeper into these things or have a question about something I say or don’t say, just write “Let’s talk” on a connection card and put it in the box and I will follow up with you. My goal today is for us to better understand some of the key truths Paul shares so that our minds can be renewed by the truth of God’s word.

If you have your Bible’s, please turn with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 11, verse 2. If you are using the Bible we provide, it is page 1196. If you do not own a Bible or have need of one, please take that one as our gift to you. Paul says,

² Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. ³ But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

 ⁴ Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, ⁵ but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. ⁶ 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.

 ⁷ For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. ⁸ For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. ⁹ Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. ¹⁰ That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

 ¹¹ Nevertheless, 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 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 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

As I said, this passage is one of the most confusing, difficult, and controversial passages in the New Testament. As we move from chapter 10 to 11, Paul turns his attention to things concerning worship services. He starts by praising the Corinthians because they have generally been faithful in their worship although they need additional instruction in certain areas. He then begins to address those areas that need to be improved and he begins with the issue of head coverings. The words the ESV translates as wife and husband are the same words as for woman and man and so might also apply to the unmarried.

In either case, his key concern has to do with the way women adorned themselves while participating in certain activities during the worship service. It is clear that Paul is dealing with certain cultural practices related to the way women and men dress. There are many views about exactly what kind of covering he is talking about. For several reasons, it is likely he is referring to a type of shawl rather than a full covering or a certain kind hairstyle, but we really do not know for certain.

Many commentators argue that whatever Paul is dealing with in this passage it is entirely a cultural issue only relevant in the first century and that we need not be concerned with it. While there are clearly cultural elements in what he teaches, I don’t think we can accept that view, because the way Paul addresses these coverings is not based on cultural preferences. His reasoning is rooted in the order of creation, a concern for angels, and the universal practice of the early churches, not just those in Greece.

What I want to do today is primarily focus on the theological principles behind Paul’s teaching. If we can understand those, we should be able to apply them appropriately in our culture, even if we do not know exactly what that looked like in Corinth. 

We recognize that Paul was addressing cultural pressures regarding gender roles in worship and there could hardly be a more relevant concern in the church today. We also know that Paul points to biblical truth rather than culture as the basis for his instruction. That brings us to the main point of the message today,

Men and women glorify God when we follow God's design rather than the world. Let me say that again, men and women glorify God when we follow God's design rather than the world.

Paul begins with an observation about headship in verse 3,

 ³ But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

The meaning of this entire passage hinges on what Paul means by “head”. There is a lot of debate about what Paul means because this word for head can mean a few different things. When used figuratively, it usually means either authority or source. In this context authority makes more sense. For example, a husband is not the source of his wife. Also, although there is no undisputed example of Paul using the word to refer to a source in his other writings, he frequently uses the word in connection with authority.

 For example, speaking of Jesus in Colossians 2:10 Paul says,

¹⁰ and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

 Then, speaking of God giving authority to Christ in Ephesians 1:22 he says,

 ^“22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church”

 And in a possibly related context to our passage, in Ephesians 5:22-23 he says,

 ²² Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church...

Therefore, what Paul is saying is that Christ is the authority over every man, man is the authority over his wife, and God is the authority over Christ. This cannot be a cultural observation since Paul is appealing to relationships within the Trinity in making his point. He is dealing with a form of authority and submission that is not the result of fallen human culture.

There is no question that women have often been sinfully abused and mistreated throughout much of history. This biblical teaching of submission has frequently been twisted and distorted into sinful misogynistic notions of female inferiority but that isn’t what Paul is saying.

It is crucial to understand that these verses cannot imply male superiority because the parallel is found in the perfect loving relationship between Jesus and the Father. If Paul were expressing some sort of relative value, it would have been more logical to say God-man-woman. Instead, he begins with the man, then the wife and then introduces Christ’s submission to the Father last. I think this is precisely to prevent any misunderstanding that he is talking about intrinsic value.  Husbands and wives are equal in essence and value just as the Father and Son are of equal value and essence.

Women and men are both created in God’s image. In the same way that the authority the Father has over the Son does not imply any inferiority of the Son, the authority that Paul is calling for women to respect, does not in any way diminish women as the equals of men. A different role is not any indication of a difference in dignity or value.

The hierarchy Paul is dealing with here is that of authority, and particularly authority as displayed and applied when the church comes together to worship. In that setting Paul says that women should, and men should not, cover their heads when praying or prophesying. Verse 4,

⁴ Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, ⁵ but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. ⁶ 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.

The first thing to notice is that the instructions are related to adornment and not participation. These women are praying and prophesying just as the men are. Paul addresses other leadership roles such as preaching elsewhere, but in these verses he is talking about public prayer and prophesying and places no limitation on participation so long as these coverings are applied. Paul’s logic flows directly from the observation in verse 3. Since Christ is the head of man, and since man is the head of his wife, a man should not cover his head when praying publicly but his wife should.

 There has been a lot of speculation as to why this is, but Paul’s main point seems to be that it would be disgraceful for a man to dress like women or a woman to dress like a man while participating in worship. His reason is not cultural. He doesn’t mention distinguishing them from pagan or immoral fashions. His reason is rooted in the reality that God created two genders that each glorify Him in different ways, and we are to come together in worship in ways that honor those distinctions.

It is popular in our day to push the boundaries and even celebrate the blurring or elimination of gender distinctions, but Paul says they are to be respected and even highlighted. A woman presenting as a man in worship brings dishonor and a man seeking to look like a woman brings dishonor because doing this is to reject the order God established for His own glory. Paul continues in verse 7,

⁷ For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. ⁸ For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. ⁹ Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.

Paul’s logic flows from creation, and all of this is tied to glory. But in what sense is woman the glory of man or man the glory of God? Many in the world would be offended at such a statement, but what does Paul mean?

He cannot be talking about the ultimate glorification of believers because women participate in this just as much as do men. I think the clue is found in the fact that when the man is mentioned he is mentioned as being the image of God. Both me and women are made in the image of God, but Adam was formed first and placed in authority over the creation. Adam was formed first and created to glorify God and then Eve was taken out of Adam to help him in this.  

Again, we should not make the mistake of seeing this passage as teaching that the wife has any lesser value though she has a different role. In fact, the creation of the woman out of the man points not to anything lacking in the woman, but to a great need on the part of the man. The woman is not secondary, she is the essential element to complete the man in his call to glorify God and they do so together.

The faithful wife therefore honors her husband as his partner with him in glorifying God. The faithful man honors God through his labor and the godly exercise of the authority he has been given. The world doesn’t think about things this way, but Paul is concerned that every relationship honors the intent for which God has designed it.  

The new creation is an undoing of the curse that came with the fall, but the institution of marriage and its purpose of pointing to the gospel was instituted before the fall and it remains a God-glorifying illustration until the culmination of all things.

In verse 10 Paul says,

¹⁰ That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

Because of God’s intention for marriage and the created order to bring glory to Him, the wife ought to worship as a wife, as one whose life and marriage are dedicated wholly to the glory of God. She accepts her role as a partner to assist her husband in bearing the image of Christ. This was communicated in ancient Greece by wearing a head covering in worship.

Today, it is communicated through different kinds of symbols such as wedding rings or taking her husband’s name. A wife’s freedom in Christ does not result in an abandonment of her honor for her husband. Paul then says this honor and recognition of authority is to be displayed in worship because of the angels.

So, what does that mean? I don’t know. He doesn’t give us a lot of information about this, but we do know that angels are among us and observe our worship. Perhaps what he means is that we must remember that when we worship there is more going on than meets our eyes. We should be respectful of those holy angels whose desire it is to see God glorified in worship and in creation.

Although it is clear that Paul is not teaching any kind of inferiority of wives or women, it is nevertheless easy to see how sinful men could be puffed up with pride and apply this teaching in false ways. I think that is why Paul adds a very important clarification in verse 11 and 12. He says,

¹¹ Nevertheless, 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 all things are from God.

Here we again see clearly that Paul completely rejects the idea that women are inferior to men. Anyone who thinks that way is operating with a sinful and illogical distortion of what Paul has said. Here we see that a key element of the relationship between men and women and especially of husbands and wives is interdependence. Eve was taken out of Adam, but every other man was taken out of a woman. Neither sex is independent of the other. God has designed this world so that the unique gifts of women and men work together for our good and His glory. 

Paul points out that this reality isn’t dependent upon man or woman, but ultimately comes from God. Sin came through the woman but so did the savior who brings forgiveness. Death came through the man who failed, but eternal life comes from the new man, sent by God to bring us to Him.

Having therefore clarified his point to avoid any misunderstandings, Paul returns again to instruction about coverings. He says,

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.

Paul says that perceptions of what is masculine and feminine are embedded in our culture because they arise from a natural impulse. Men typically avoid wearing things and doing things that are associated with being feminine. Likewise, women typically want to look feminine in such a way that distinguishes them from men. Although styles vary by time and place, how people wear their hair is usually an indicator of a desire to appear masculine or feminine.

In our culture, men and women may choose to wear their hair either long or short without indicating any desire to blur gender distinctions. If, however, a man paints his nails and wears dresses, it is immediately obvious that he intends to incorporate female attributes into his appearance.

Paul says men and women naturally know the difference between men and women and the normal reaction to a confusion of gender is to find it dishonorable. Some today argue that this should not be the case, but that is not the typical reaction, you have to go to school to learn that.

In verse 15 Paul is not saying that a woman has already been given long hair instead of a covering. He is saying that a woman's long hair, worn as an expression of her femininity, shows that she needs a covering. The point is women should wear head coverings while praying and prophesying because to do otherwise would be to confuse the created order and thus give the shameful impression that women are behaving like men.

We are in the middle of a far-reaching revolution in our culture regarding gender identity. Proponents tell us that to impose a binary understanding of gender or gender related to physical sex is a form of oppression. The Bible, however, tells us that male and female are not merely cultural constructs. They are a part of God’s created order and individually and collectively glorify God when we seek to fulfill our calling as men and women in the worship of God. A revolt against the gender binary is not just the casting off of cultural patriarchy, it is an objection to God’s right as creator to impose order and a denial of His pronouncement that His creation is good.

Then, as now, this teaching is difficult for many to accept. That is perhaps why Paul comments in verse 16 that,

¹⁶ If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

He says none of the churches he planted, nor any of the other churches have women praying or prophesying in the worship service uncovered, that is casting off godly authority. It just wasn’t done.

I know we have covered a lot of ground here so let me just quickly recap before we look at how to apply this today.

• In verses 3-10 Paul argues for male headship, yet with full participation for women.
• In verses 11-12 he clarifies his point so that there is no misunderstanding. Men and women are equal, and all things come from God.
• In verses 13-16 he reaffirms his instruction regarding head covering with an observation that men and women naturally distinguish themselves from each other.

What then are we to make of all this? Must women wear coverings in church today? There may be places where that would be appropriate, but in our western context the answer is no. The important thing is to understand the principle involved and then apply it appropriately in our situation.

The principle is that the sexes, although equal, are not interchangeable. When women are praying, reading scripture, etc. they should do so under the authority of male headship. If they are married, they are to do so in a way that does not dishonor their husband. Paul was interested in women’s head coverings because of what it expressed about their attitude toward authority. Nobody in Southgate is going to think that a woman is rebellious for not covering her hair. Therefore the covering is not required.

Even so, the fundamental truth remains that God calls men and women to different roles and responsibilities. Husbands should desire to be equipped and be spiritual leaders in their homes and wives should want this because it honors God. 

This means we must remain rooted in the reality of a God-ordained purpose for manhood and womanhood and stand firm against the confusion of denying the holy expression of masculinity or femininity.

I know that this can be difficult. I know that many in the world find this not only repressive but repulsive. I also know that historically these truths have often been abused. But God made every one of us. He designed each of us precisely the way we are which provides us unique opportunities to honor Him and glorify Him. 

He is the creator and we cannot seek to be our own creators of self without rejecting Him as creator and Lord. When we push back on what He has ordained, we are in rebellion. We think we know better than Him how this world and our lives should run. 

But make no mistake, we will all be called to give an account to Him for what we did with the life we were given. If we squandered the blessings intended for His glory and instead pursued the glory of ourselves we will be judged and convicted. 

The bad news is every one of us has done exactly that. Every one of us is guilty of rebelling against the creator and king of the universe and we can never repay that debt. We rejected Him as king and therefore we deserve for Him to reject us as well. But to be separated from God, who is the source of all goodness, means we will suffer for eternity if that happens. Sadly that is what we have all chosen in our sin. We have traded a few fleeting moments of feeling like we were gods for an eternity of suffering.

But God is merciful, and He sent His Son Jesus to pay the debt we could never pay. Although tempted like us, He was faithful at every moment. Though He was equal to God, He willingly submitted Himself to the Father in all things, even to the point of dying. Though He had no sin or guilt, He took in his body the penalty for the sin and the guilt of every man and woman who would ever believe in Him. He was tortured and killed, nailed to a cross, offering His life in exchange for our forgiveness.

Then on the third day, He rose again. He walked victorious out of the grave showing that sin and death had no power over Him. Now, he calls all of us to repent. He calls us to set aside our pride and come to Him in faith. Trust in Him and what He has done to pay for the sins you have committed and trust in His power to deliver you from the presence of sin now.

We have earned hell, but we are offered heaven if we will repent of our sins and follow Jesus now. We are called out of the struggle and confusion of the world to serve Him with our lives. Let’s look to be filled with the Word of God and led by His Spirit. Let’s look to honor Him and worship Him together as redeemed men and redeemed women, finding all our fulfillment and purpose in His love for us, because men and women glorify God when we follow God's design rather than the world.

Amen.