1 Corinthians 11:9

for neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man:

'but the woman for the man' -to be. helpmeet (Genesis 2:18)

Points to Note:

1. 'We mustn't understand the passage in Genesis, or Paul's use of it, to suggest the woman is man's possession or God's afterthought.' (McGuiggan p. 149)

2. In Genesis 2:1. when the man sees the woman, he "glories" in her by bursting into song (Genesis 2:23). 'It follows that he who degrades. woman sullies his manhood, and is the worst enemy of his race; the respect shown to women is the measure and safeguard to human dignity.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 873)

I think. great truth exists here that we cannot overlook. How many wives or brides to be have grasped the fact that they exist not only to bring honor to God, but to bring honor to the man who is or will be in their life. (Proverbs 12:4 'An excellent wife is the crown of her husband..') And how many men have grasped the truth, that woman was created out of man and for man--and that means that as. man. need to prize and cherish what God created specifically for me? (Ephesians 5:29 'but nourishes and cherishes it..'; 1 Peter 3:7)

3. Man glorifies God, when man serves God in his recognized role (man, not God). Woman brings glory to man (esp. her husband) when she serves in her recognized role. Therefore, to cast off the veil,. recognized symbol of femininity and subjection in Corinthian society, was. sign of disrespect to the order established at creation, and esp. to one's husband. 'In so doing she brings shame on him by trying to dissolve the rightful male/female relationship..' (Fee p. 518)

4. The facts of creation abide forever. Thousands of years after Genesis 2:1. God still felt that the text was relevant to first century Christians.