1 Corinthians 11 - Introduction

Headship And Worship First Corinthians Eleven

Paul encouraged the brethren to follow him in faithful service to the Christ. This life would involve keeping the ordinances as delivered by Paul to these brethren. Even though men and women are mutually dependent upon each other in following God there is a recognized headship. The order of headship is God, Christ, man and woman.

God instructed men that they are not to pray or prophesy with their head covered. Neither are they to grow long hair. He instructed the woman to have her head covered when she prays or prophesies. But he also said her hair was given to her for a covering. Concerning the artificial or cloth head covering Paul was dealing with a custom of the Corinthian society, not a custom commanded by God for the church.

Sadly the church at Corinth was divided and confused about many things including the Lord's Supper. They were attempting to observe the Supper (1) In the midst of division (1 Corinthians 11:17-18), and (2) With heresies among them. It was impossible to properly commune under those circumstances. They had desecrated the Holy Supper of the Lord. The text said, "in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken." (1 Corinthians 11:21)

Paul took a quick look back at the Lord's Supper as to how it should be observed. The bread represented our Lord's body that was broken for us. As we eat the bread we are do this in remembrance of Him. The cup represented His blood that was shed for us. In proper observance of the Supper we look backward to His death and forward to His coming!