Episode 198 - "Honor the Lord in our worship!" - 1 Corinthians 11:4-16

4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife who 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. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

So far in this section (verses 2-3), we’ve observed that Paul has made a play on the word “head” to describe relationships between husbands, wives, and Christ. I understand these two verses not to argue some kind of superiority/greater or lesser value of one over another but rather to suggest that there are distinctions in roles that seem evident within the divine Trinity. Therefore, God our Creator can ordain similar relationships within his Creation.

Certainly, God is greater than humanity since he is our Creator. But as I argued in the last episode, Paul’s statement that God is the head of Christ does not diminish the full deity of Christ. The Scriptures consistently show that Christ always submits to his Father’s will and looks to the Father as his authority even though the same Scriptures and the Church have affirmed him as full deity, equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

This wordplay continues in verse 4, which speaks of a man praying or prophesying (in public worship). The English translation here says that if his actual head is “covered,” he dishonors his spiritual head (Christ). It would be easy for us to assume that “covered” means having a hat or shawl on his head. However, many commentators point out that the expression in the Greek language literally means “having down (or against) from head.” Therefore, the interpretation could mean that the “head-dishonoring” act is a man having long hair while praying or prophesying. I am inclined to accept this as the better interpretation since, in verse 14, Paul asserts, “if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him.”

If this is the case, the obvious question is, “Why?” Historians have noted that it was actually common in Roman culture for men to wear head coverings while praying or prophesying. But wearing long hair in that culture could be viewed as highly effeminate and have sexual connotations. Let’s hold that thought and move on to the next verse.

Paul’s instruction to women/wives was to cover their heads. In this case, since women were expected to have long hair, they should cover their heads. Why? Again, the cultural norms established the expectations of how men and women wore hairstyles and their dress. A head covering on a woman was a sign that protected her integrity and sent a “hands off” message to men who might think a woman with her hair down and uncovered was “advertising.”

Paul establishes in this section that the Corinthian believers should not use their Christian liberty to be counter-cultural in their worship. Just like his previous instruction concerning food, this is further instruction on how Christians are to be discerning, respectful, and orderly in their worship so as not to create confusion and conflict with others.

Paul’s explanatory statements in verses 7-9 are an appeal to the order of creation in Genesis 2:18-23. Paul is simply using the order of the events to offer a theological foundation of the order within the relationships in verses 2-3.

If this text didn’t have enough interpretive challenges already, Paul says in verse 10, “That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.” What do angels have to do with this? One explanation is that the Greek word for angel simply means “messenger.” It’s possible that Paul is not speaking of these supernatural beings who often bring messages from God to people but simply people who are messengers between the churches and the apostles. In other words, Paul’s intent in instructing wives to cover their heads is so that people who would bring a report to the apostles and other churches would see this and report, “This is what the Corinthians are practicing in their worship. So . . . if Paul is specifically referring to the supernatural beings we call angels, I don’t have a clue as to what this means. I would have to work on this some more to see if there is a reasonable explanation for why this might be important for them.

Verses 11-12 speak of the “interdependence” of men and women. This seems to me that Paul understands men and women to be ontologically equal while having clear differences between the genders.

Paul’s primary point in this whole section is that public worship in the church should respect and reflect gender distinctions created by God and that even though there is equality and liberty, wives should act in such a way that honors their husbands, and husbands should act in a way that honors Christ.

In my opinion, there is a sense in which the advice given here is culturally bound. I don’t think we ought to be measuring the length of men’s hair in church and mandating haircuts or forcing wives to wear head coverings. Our culture would not understand or value these practices, and people would not assume that a woman with long hair uncovered was promiscuous. However, the principles within this teaching should cause us to stop and consider if our dress and appearance were such that would honor others and the Lord. We could ask ourselves, “Am I seeking to call attention to myself or to honor the Lord?”

We live in a culture in which gender dysphoria appears to be increasing and perhaps even more widely accepted. I do not think this Scripture should be used to “attack” people struggling with gender identity. They need mercy and love as much as anyone. Yet neither do we help them by compromising or ignoring what the Scriptures teach. If we look to Jesus in our times of confusion or limited understanding and respond like Peter, “Where do we have to turn, Lord? You alone have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68-69), then we are demonstrating that each of us needs God’s instruction, mercy, and love each day of our lives.

I’m sure a lot more could be said about this section and interpretations other than what I’ve argued. However, I think any different spin on some of the things Paul says comes down to how we conduct ourselves in public worship is important. We must be wise in exercising our liberty in Christ, seeking to edify others and honor the Lord.

Episode 187 - "Use your freedom!" 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

1 Cor. 7:17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

To begin this brief study, I want to call attention to statements Paul makes about what he says and what the Lord says. Since we uphold the books of the Bible to be the word of God, some people may get concerned about whether or not we consider Paul’s opinions authoritative. What follows is my opinion about Paul’s opinion expressed within the Holy Scriptures.

Paul was specifically called by the Lord to serve as an apostle, a servant to all who would come to faith in Jesus. I find Paul’s qualifications about his opinion and principles versus what the Lord says to be helpful rather than disconcerting. Why? Because if the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, providentially called Paul for this role, then He certainly gave Paul wisdom to offer the Church. This means that when I read something that Paul says, “This is my rule in all the churches” (v. 17), Paul is offering wisdom from the Lord that is intended to mitigate problems and help Christians live in a way that will best serve the purposes of the Kingdom of God.

Already Paul has instructed the Corinthian believers not to divorce their unbelieving spouse if that spouse was content to remain in the marriage. This advice appears on the surface as contrary to what was commanded to the Jews who returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon having married unbelieving wives. (See Episode 186 for my brief treatment of that issue). The encompassing principle in this Scripture I’ve just read, and the previous text is If it’s not leading you to immorality or other unrighteous thoughts, values, and actions, don’t change anything.

In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we see the kind of problem Paul is attempting to mitigate with this “rule.” Among the believers addressed in that letter, there were people who had been pressured or otherwise convinced that having been made righteous in Christ through faith in him, they now needed to become circumcised and follow the Law. Paul teaches the Law is insufficient to accomplish what Christ did on the cross, and therefore no one should think that being circumcised, getting married, getting divorced, or any other life-status change should make them better Christians.

Even with the slaves of that day and culture, Paul says that in Christ, they are free. While he says they may obtain freedom from their bondage if possible, they are not sinning if they don’t. He continues by saying that those who are not slaves have been “bought with a price” and have become a “bondservant of Christ.” (v. 22)

When he says in verse 23, “Do not become bondservants of men,” I take this to mean that he is saying, “Don’t let people control you and make you act in ways that are not in keeping with the liberty we have received in Christ.” (My interpretation)

In no way should this Scripture be used to justify the injustices manifested in slavery in times past or present. The focus of this Scripture is really telling us that when you come to faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Lord can and will use you just the way you are. Don’t be distracted and inhibited by thinking you have to do other things before God can use you.

Prayer: Lord - Thank you for the freedom in Christ you have given me. Help me use that freedom to share the gospel and fulfill the Great Commission.

Episode 59 - Abide in Jesus' words and find freedom - John 8:31-33

John 8:31   So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

Think about some of the people Jesus has interacted with as recorded in this book. We’ve read about the Pharisees and other religious leaders who “know that he is from God,” but refuse to accept his word. There were people who witnessed him work miracles and some declared that Jesus was the Prophet like Moses; only to turn away from him when he taught them they needed to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Finally, the disciples who he had called were asked if they were going to leave as well. But, Peter’s response spoke for them when he said, “Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

In this section, John records that Jesus is speaking to the Jews that had just believed in him. It’s important to note because by the end of their conversation they will accuse Jesus of having a demon and will try to stone him to death. 

The focus of this lesson is that Jesus tells them how they can gain three benefits that are associated with each other. The first is that they can be true disciples of Jesus. This means that if they truly believe in who he is and what he teaches, they can learn from him and become more like him. In pursuing being a true disciple, they receive the second benefit and that is they will know the truth. This is something we desire in our society today isn’t it. We do not know who to believe because we recognize that different people and organizations do not always tell the truth. This truth has to do with the truth about God. Becoming a learner of Jesus helps us understand the truth about God. Finally, Jesus says that “the truth will set you free.” Sounds good. But, how do we become a true disciple and know the truth and receive the kind of freedom this truth provides? The answer is to “abide” in Jesus’ word. 

What does it mean to abide in Jesus' word? It means to remain and continue in his teaching. This means that we cannot pick and choose the sayings of Jesus that we like and disregard the ones that confuse or offend us. We cannot follow some of Jesus’ teachings. Like those early few disciples, we must decide to follow Jesus regardless of our confusion or not liking something he taught because we know that he has the words of eternal life. 

But, even this saying offends these “believers” doesn’t it? They immediately argue from pride in their heritage as Jews. They claim that they are Abraham’s descendants and have never been a slave to anyone. In other words, they don’t believe they need to be freed from anything. But, this is not true. They were under the control of the Roman Empire. They did not have true independence and liberty. They had what the Roman government allowed. 

This is not the kind of freedom Jesus was talking about. As we’ll see in the next lesson. He is telling them about the control and enslaving power of sin. That is more powerful and dangerous than any other kind of enslavement. 

Jesus’ simple and clear message that we need to abide in his word should be liberating in itself. It tells us that we need to be reading his word and praying for his help in abiding in it. We can trust that his word is truthful and it brings us freedom in Christ.