March 1, 2009 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Being Under Authority ~1 Corinthians 11:2-16~
I praise you because you remember me in everything, and you follow closely the teachigns just as I gave them to you. But I want you to understand this: The head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings hsame to his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered brings shame to her head. She is the same as a woman who has her head shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. But since it is shameful for a woman to cut off her hair or to shave her head, she should cover her head. But a man should not cover his head, because he is the likeness and glory of God. But woman is man's glory. Man did not come from woman, but woman came from man. And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man. So that is why a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. But in the Lord women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women. This is true because woman came from man, but also mans is born from woman. But everything comes from God. Decide this for yourselves: Is it right for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Even nature itself teaches you that wearing long hair is shameful for a man. But long hair is a woman's glory. Long hair is given to her as a covering. Some people may still want to argue about this, but I would add that neither we nor the churches of God have any other practice.

In this passage, Paul talks about manhood and womanhood. In verse three, Paul states a principle fact: God has authority of Christ, who has authority over man, who has authority over woman. This is not to state inferiority, but this verse actually shows that the relationship is a Trinitarian relationship, just like the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All three are different, but at the same time equal! Same thing for us, there are men, and there are women, men are equal and distinct in their manner, just like the Trinity, at the same time, women are equal and distinct in their own manner.

In no way, is the Bible stating that men and women are inequal. The point Paul is trying to make is that we need to be strict about our sexual identity, but we also need to learn to relate to each other. Especially in marital terms, if the man doesn't relate to the woman and vice versa, the relationship won't work. An example of this is the Father related to the Son, and the Son to the Father.

Just like that, we need to submit to each other. Jesus submitting to the Father is shown to be one of the hardest submissions for a human being. We need to follow that example and submit to the Father, but also need to submit to each other, as brothers and sisters. This way, the church can function, if we have those who aren't willing to submit to each other, we won't get anywhere within the church.