1 Corinthians 11:1
XI. (1) BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME. — See concluding Note on 1 Corinthians 10.... [ Continue Reading ]
XI. (1) BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME. — See concluding Note on 1 Corinthians 10.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW I PRAISE YOU. — A new subject is here introduced, and occupies to 1 Corinthians 11:16. The exhortation of the previous verse probably recalled to the Apostle’s mind that to a certain extent the Corinthians did follow his teaching and example; and had possibly in their letter, to which he was now... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I WOULD HAVE YOU KNOW. — After the general commendation in the previous verse, the reproof for neglecting, or desiring to neglect, his precepts in one particular case, is thus introduced. The subject treated of, viz., the uncovering of their heads by women in assemblies for worship, was of ephem... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY MAN PRAYING OR PROPHESYING. — The reference here is to public prayer and teaching (the word “prophesying” is used in its less restricted sense). The Apostle probably does not allude to any case in Corinth where a man had actually taken part in a religious meeting with covered head. The Greek p... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT EVERY WOMAN THAT PRAYETH... From the hypothetical case of the man praying or preaching with covered head (which was mentioned first for the sake of introducing the antithesis), the Apostle comes now to the actual case of which he has to treat, viz., the woman uncovering her head. At first sight... [ Continue Reading ]
LET HER ALSO BE SHORN. — The force of this argument depends on the fact that a woman’s head being uncovered would be regarded by others as implying the same shame as was indicated by a woman’s hair being cut short (_i.e.,_ shorn), or altogether removed (_i.e.,_ shaven). It is as if the Apostle said... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR A MAN INDEED. — In 1 Corinthians 11:4 the argument against the woman’s head being uncovered was based upon (_a_) the woman’s relation to man, and (_b_) the man’s relation to Christ in the Church. In the three following verses, 1 Corinthians 11:7, the ground of the argument is changed, and the sa... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS CAUSE OUGHT THE WOMAN TO HAVE POWER ON HER HEAD. — The two clauses which compose this verse are, perhaps, the two most difficult passages in the New Testament, and, accordingly, have given rise to an almost endless variety of interpretation. What is meant, first, by the woman having “power... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS... — Here follow words of caution, lest the previous express declaration of the subordination of woman to man might be exaggerated or perverted. This very subordination of one sex to the other implies a mutual connection, and not an isolation of each sex. The woman is not independent of... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS THE WOMAN IS OF THE MAN. — An appeal to the original act of creation proves the truth of the previous statement of the interdependence of the sexes. If already (1 Corinthians 11:7) the fact of woman’s having been taken out of man was used as an argument to prove her subordination, there is no... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGE IN YOURSELVES. — In this and the two following verses the Apostle reasons with them — appeals to their own common sense, and to the indications of Nature, as to the evident truth of what he has taught them on this question. Surely you would not think it seemly for a woman (setting aside the qu... [ Continue Reading ]
NATURE ITSELF. — This may mean, either “the native inborn sense of what is seemly” as contrasted with revelation; or it may signify the ordinary and evident arrangement of things in creation. Probably the former is the true meaning of the passage which refers to the fact that the heathen who had no... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF A WOMAN HAVE LONG HAIR, IT IS A GLORY TO HER. — We should follow the suggestions of Nature. If a woman has naturally long hair, which is given to her as a covering for her head, the covering of her head can be no shame to her; therefore let her wear a veil. “The will ought to correspond to Na... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF ANY MAN SEEM TO BE CONTENTIOUS. — The argument, and the appeal to their own good sense having been completed, the Apostle now adds that if, after all, some one continues to argue the matter captiously, and is not satisfied with the reason given, the answer to such a one must be simply — We, t... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW IN THIS THAT I DECLARE UNTO YOU... — Better, _Now I give you this command, while not praising you that you come together not for the better, but for the worse._ These words lead from the subject which has gone before to another and different abuse of liberty in public assemblies, of which the Ap... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR FIRST OF ALL. — We in vain look for the “secondly,” which, in a perfectly systematic treatise, should follow this “first.” Some writers maintain that 1 Corinthians 11:18 form the first point, and 1 Corinthians 11:20 the second. There is, however, no indication of a new subject being introduced w... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THERE MUST BE ALSO HERESIES. — Better, _For there must be also sects._ There have been many attempts to explain where lies the difference between the “divisions” of the former verse and the “sects” of this verse. From all that we know of the Apostolic Church it is clear that neither of these wor... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN YE COME TOGETHER THEREFORE INTO ONE PLACE, THIS IS NOT TO EAT THE LORD’S SUPPER. — Better, _Therefore, when you assemble in the same place, it is not to eat the supper dedicated to the Lord._ Regarding 1 Corinthians 11:19 as a parenthesis, the word “therefore” connects this with 1 Corinthians 1... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR. — Here follows a description of the conduct and mode of proceeding at this feast, which renders it impossible, as stated in 1 Corinthians 11:20, for it to be a Lord’s Supper. Every one greedily seizes (takes before distribution is made) what he has brought with him, and appropriates it to his o... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT? HAVE YE NOT HOUSES ...? — Better, _Surely it is not that you have no houses to eat and drink in?_ This cannot be the explanation of their conduct, for they have houses in which they can enjoy their proper meals. Hunger and thirst, which can be satisfied at home, therefore, cannot be the explan... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I HAVE RECEIVED OF THE LORD. — Better, _For I received from the Lord._ Do these words imply that St. Paul had a direct revelation from Christ of the words and facts which he now recalls, or merely that he knew from the accounts given him by others who had been present, what took place on that me... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS... — Better, _and having given thanks, He brake it, and said,_ “_This is My body which is for you.”_ The insertion of the words, “take, eat,” and “broken” is not supported by MS. evidence. The former were probably inserted so as to produce a verbal identity with St. Matt... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THE SAME MANNER ALSO HE TOOK THE CUP, WHEN HE HAD SUPPED. — We have here an intimation not found in St. Matthew or St. Mark’s narrative, that the blessing of the cup took place “after supper,” which implies that the blessing of the bread took place earlier in the meal. THIS CUP IS THE NEW TES... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS OFTEN AS YE... — The previous verse concluded the account of the institution as conveyed by Christ to St. Paul, and the Apostle himself now again speaks. All this being the true account of the origin of this Supper, as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup (as distinct from other bre... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE WHOSOEVER SHALL EAT THIS BREAD, AND DRINK THIS CUP OF THE LORD... — Better, _Wherefore, whosoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord._ The entire weight of MS. evidence is in favour of the conjunction “or,” not “and,” which was probably retained in the English version lest the di... [ Continue Reading ]
SO LET HIM EAT. — This implies that a man should partake of this sacred feast only after he has carefully examined himself as to the spirit in which he was approaching such holy bread and wine.... [ Continue Reading ]
(28-32) There are so many modifications required in these verses of the Greek text from which our translation is taken, so as to bring it into harmony with the best MSS., and so many changes needed in the translation itself, so as to convey more clearly the meaning of the original, that it will be b... [ Continue Reading ]
UNWORTHILY. — This word is not in the best Greek MSS. DAMNATION TO HIMSELF. — The Greek word hero does not imply final condemnation. On the contrary, it only means such temporal judgments as the sickness and weakness subsequently mentioned, and which are to save the man from sharing the final damna... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS CAUSE — _i.e.,_ because you do not regard these feasts, to which the Lord’s Supper is joined as gatherings in a common body, but eat and drink to excess, and so gain no spiritual advantage, but actually physical evil, many are weak and sickly. AND MANY SLEEP. — Better, _and some die._ Even... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR. — This joins 1 Corinthians 11:31 to 1 Corinthians 11:30, which see. The change to the first person, courteously identifying himself with them, is characteristic of St. Paul.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEN WE ARE JUDGED. — This verse explicitly declares that the condemnation following an unworthy partaking was not final condemnation, but temporal suffering to save them from being condemned with the heathen.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE, MY BRETHREN. — To correct the abuses of which he has spoken, and to enable them to escape the judgments which were falling upon them, the Apostle gives them this practical advice. When you come together to this eucharistic feast, do not eagerly eat what you have brought; wait until all ha... [ Continue Reading ]
THE REST — or, literally, _the remaining matters_ — doubtless refers to some other details connected with the charity-feasts. From the foregoing we gather the following outline of the method of celebration of the Lord’s Supper in the Apostolic Church. It was a common practice amongst the Greeks at t... [ Continue Reading ]