1 Corinthians 11:7-9

1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 Corinthians 11:7 See Genesis 1:26; Genesis 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 Corinthians 11:8). She was also created as a helper for man (v. 1 Corinthians 11:9; see also Genesis 2:20). Paul does not deny that the woman was also made in God’s image (see Genesis 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 (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31). Paul’s appeal to the order of creation (see also 1 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Corinthians 11:11) 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.