1 CORINTHIANS 11
Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wifeis her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wifewho prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. – 1 Corinthians 11:1-9
1 CORINTHIANS 11 THE HEAD OF MAN AND WOMAN
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When God created man, he gave him dominion over creatures
Man was supposed to steward all of God’s creation
God made a woman so that she could be man’s helper
So, she is to submit to her man because he is the leader
Man’s head is Christ himself, so he must submit to his Lord
The woman is under the authority of her husband and not of the world.
In this letter, Paul explains the concept of leadership and authority. He points back to the beginning of time when God created the world and human beings. It seems to me that he was explaining this to the Christian church in order that they won’t put him on a pedestal. Instead, he points to the purpose of why God made man and woman. If you go back to Genesis 1, we can recall how God created all things in a sequence. Each day, he made something different from the day before. God was pleased when we finished all creatures but was very pleased when he made man. Even though he made both man and woman in his own image as verse 27 says, what Paul is emphasizing here is the order of creation and also the purpose why they were made. Man was made for God and woman for man.
That is the order. God is the head of the man, the man is the head of the woman.
REFLECTION
- Why do you think Paul points out God’s concept of order in this letter?
