1 Corinthians Chapter 11 Breakdown

1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Paul says we should imitate him, as in, do what he did. Then he says he does the same as Christ did. It is taught that Paul taught against keeping the Law of God, however, we know Jesus kept the Law of God, and Paul says he does the same as Christ. Interesting thought.

2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

Acts 16:4

And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem

Acts 15:18-21

“Known to God from eternity are all His works. Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

Paul is happy with the Corinthians in terms of them continuing in the traditions he taught them. Now, we know from earlier in this letter that they were not doing all things they were taught, so there must be certain things they are keeping. It is generally taught that Acts 15 is what Paul is referring to here. But, if we look at this there are some things to take away from this. First, God knows His works. The “gentiles” had a lot of issues with sin, so the main things pointed out are listed above. We know they were not abstaining from things polluted by idols and they were not abstaining from sexual immorality. But, we also can take away the idea that these were the most important to start, because the rest of the Torah (Moses) would continue to be taught each Sabbath day. From this we can understand that the Torah would be taught each Sabbath and the Sabbath is still an important command for Believers. All that being said to show, there were other things the Corinthians had to be doing for Paul to say he is pleased with them for continuing the traditions he taught them. Could it possibly be those in Corinth were keeping the Feast days of God? Why would I suggest this? Because Paul kept these Feasts, and doing so he was imitating Christ, and we are to imitate Paul.

Acts 18:20-21

When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.

3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Now, all believers must know, Christ is the head of every man, and man is the head of woman, and God is the head of Christ.

4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

Men should not be covering their head when praying or prophesying. Do not cover your head because it is like covering Christ. Doing so dishonors Christ.

5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.

A woman should have her head covered while praying, not covering her head is dishonoring the man. It is the same as if her head was shaved.

6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.

If a woman is not covered, her head should be shaved. But, if it is disgraceful for a woman to be shaved, she should be covered.

7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

A man is the image and glory of God, and the woman is the glory of man. Therefore, the man should not cover his head.

8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man.

Genesis 2:22

Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

Woman comes from man.

9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.

Genesis 2:18

And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

The woman was created for man.

10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

Because women were made for man, and not God, they should cover their head. Because of the angels. Now, this is a strange statement. Why would women need to cover their heads because of the angels? Well, this goes back to genesis as well.

Genesis 6:4

There were nephilim on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

Most of our mythology comes from this indecent act of the fallen angels. They were attracted to women and knew women were made for men. The apocryphal book of Enoch goes into great detail about this particular issue.

11 Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord.

Both man and woman need each other. They are not independent of each other in God.

12 For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.

Even though woman came from a man, man is born from woman. That being said, all things are from God.

13 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?

Now, you be the judge. Should a woman pray to God with her head uncovered? Should a woman pray with short hair?

14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?

Men should also not have long hair. Testosterone in the male body speeds up hair loss. This causes men to have short hair. A woman should be opposite of men and keep long hair, which covers their head.

15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.

A woman having long hair is a thing of beauty to her. Her hair is her covering.

16 But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

However, there is no Law stating a woman must have long hair. So, if it becomes an argument, do not cause contentions about it.

17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.

With Paul instructing the Corinthians about this he says they come together for the worse, when it should not be this way. They come together to argue about things instead of showing love to one another.

18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.

The Corinthians, Paul says, have divisions among themselves and he believes this to be a true problem.

19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.

Paul then gives reasons why he believes they are divided.

20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper.

When they do come together, they don’t do it to eat God’s Passover Feast as they should. I used the word feast here because it is the same Greek word that is translated as feast in other parts of the New Testament. Also, as you will read in a few verses, Paul is referring to the Passover Feast Yeshua ate just before you died.

21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk.

When they do come together for the Passover Feast, they continue in selfishness, leaving some to hunger while others spend time getting drunk.

22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

Why don’t you stay home if this is how you plan to act toward a brother? Or is it you loath the Assembly of God and want to shame those who are poor? Paul does not condone these actions. The poor should be eating first. The feasts of God are for all His people, not just those with wealth.

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Everything Paul taught the Corinthians came from God. The very night Judas betrayed Yeshua, he ate bread. But, He gave it to others first and said, do this in remembrance of Him.

25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Yeshua did the same thing with the cup of wine, which is the cup of blessing read about in 1 Corinthians 10:16. The others drank first.

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Every time you partake in this Passover Feast, you are proclaiming Yeshua’s death until His return.

27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

If you do participate in the Passover Feast in an unworthy manner, such as the Corinthians were doing, they will be found guilty in the eyes of God.

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

Scrutinize yourselves so you will be found worthy in eating this Feast.

29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

Doing this in an unworthy manner brings judgment upon Himself. You will be separating yourself from the Body of Christ.

30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.

This is why so many are sick, weak, and have died among you.

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

We must judge ourselves, hold ourselves accountable for our actions toward our brothers. If we keep ourselves in alignment with Gods instructions, we will not be judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

When we are judged, we are shamed by God, with the intent we not be condemned with the rest of the world.

33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

Now, when you come together for the Feasts, wait for the others, just as Yeshua did.

34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

If anyone is really hungry, let that man eat at home first to ensure he avoids judgment. Paul then says he will address the rest of these issues when he shows up in Corinth.