1 Corinthians 11:1-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:9

Neither was the man created for the woman ,.... To be subservient to her; for she was not in being when he was created; and though it is the proper business of man to provide for, take care of, and defend the woman, as the weaker vessel, yet these were not the original ends of his creation; he was made for God, for his service and glory: but the woman for the man ; to be an help meet for him, who was already created; to be a companion and associate of his, both in religious worship and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:10

For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head ,.... The generality of interpreters, by power, understand the veil, or covering on the woman's head, as a sign of the man's power over her, and her subjection to him; which Dr. Hammond endeavours to confirm, by observing that the Hebrew word רדיד , which signifies a woman's veil, or hood, comes from a root which signifies power and dominion; but in that he is mistaken, for the word is derived not from רדה , to rule, govern, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:11

Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman ,.... This is said, partly to repress the pride and insolence of man, that he might not be too much elated with himself, and his superiority over the woman, and look with any degree of disdain and contempt upon her, and treat her with indifference and neglect; and partly to comfort the woman, that she might not be dejected with the condition and circumstances in which she was, since the one is not without the other; nor can they be so truly... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:1

Be ye followers of me - This verse certainly belongs to the preceding chapter, and is here out of all proper place and connection. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:2

That ye remember me in all things - It appears that the apostle had previously given them a variety of directions relative to the matters mentioned here; that some had paid strict attention to them, and that others had not; and that contentions and divisions were the consequences, which he here reproves and endeavors to rectify. While Paul and Apollos had preached among them, they had undoubtedly prescribed every thing that was necessary to be observed in the Christian worship: but it is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:3

The head of every man is Christ - The apostle is speaking particularly of Christianity and its ordinances: Christ is the Head or Author of this religion; and is the creator, preserver, and Lord of every man. The man also is the lord or head of the woman; and the Head or Lord of Christ, as Mediator between God and man, is God the Father. Here is the order - God sends his Son Jesus Christ to redeem man; Christ comes and lays down his life for the world; every man who receives Christianity... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:4

Praying, or prophesying - Any person who engages in public acts in the worship of God, whether prayer, singing, or exhortation: for we learn, from the apostle himself, that προφητευειν , to prophesy, signifies to speak unto men to edification, exhortation, and comfort, 1 Corinthians 14:3 . And this comprehends all that we understand by exhortation, or even preaching. Having his head covered - With his cap or turban on, dishonoreth his head; because the head being covered was a sign... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:5

But every woman that prayeth, etc. - Whatever may be the meaning of praying and prophesying, in respect to the man, they have precisely the same meaning in respect to the woman. So that some women at least, as well as some men, might speak to others to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. And this kind of prophesying or teaching was predicted by Joel, Joel 2:28 , and referred to by Peter, Acts 2:17 . And had there not been such gifts bestowed on women, the prophecy could not have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:6

For if the woman be not covered - If she will not wear a veil in the public assemblies, let her be shorn - let her carry a public badge of infamy: but if it be a shame - if to be shorn or shaven would appear, as it must, a badge of infamy, then let her be covered - let her by all means wear a veil. Even in mourning it was considered disgraceful to be obliged to shear off the hair; and lest they should lose this ornament of their heads, the women contrived to evade the custom, by cutting off... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:7

A man indeed ought not to cover his head - He should not wear his cap or turban in the public congregation, for this was a badge of servitude, or an indication that he had a conscience overwhelmed with guilt; and besides, it was contrary to the custom that prevailed, both among the Greeks and Romans. He is the image and glory of God - He is God's vicegerent in this lower world; and, by the authority which he has received from his Master, he is his representative among the creatures, and... read more

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