1 Corinthians 11:2-16

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:12

For as the woman is of the man ,.... Originally; so Eve was of Adam, made out of one of his ribs: even so is the man also by the woman ; now man is born of a woman, he is conceived of one, and brought into the world by one. This is the way in which mankind is propagated, the species preserved, continued, and increased; and therefore there is no reason why the woman should be despised, or the man should be lifted up with himself above her, since they are so dependent upon, and so useful... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:13

Judge in yourselves ,.... The apostle having gone through a variety of reasoning and arguments, showing the superiority of the man to the woman, by which he would prove, that the one should be covered, and the other uncovered, returns to his subject again, and appeals to the common sense and understanding of the Corinthians, and makes them themselves judges of the matter; suggesting that the thing was so clear, and he so certain of what he had advanced being right, that he leaves it with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:14

Doth not even nature itself teach you ,.... By nature is either meant, the law and light of nature, reason in man, common sense, or rather custom, which is second nature; and which, in this case, must be restrained to the Greeks and Jews; for though among the Grecians the men cut their hair, and did not suffer it to grow long, as also did the Jews, yet there were many nations F11 Alex. ab. Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 5. c. 18. Servius in Virgil. Aeneid. l. 10. prope finem. who did not, even... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:15

But if a woman have long hair ,.... And wears it, without cutting it, as men do: it is a glory to her ; it is comely and beautiful; it is agreeable to her sex, she looks like herself; it becomes and adorns her: for her hair is given her for a covering ; not instead of a covering for her head, or any other part of her body, so that she needs no other: we read indeed of the daughter of Nicodemus ben Gorion, that she was obliged to make use of her hair for a covering in such a sense ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:16

But if any man seem to be contentious ,.... That is, if anyone will not be satisfied with reasons given, for men's praying and prophesying with their heads uncovered, and women's praying and prophesying with their heads covered; but will go on to raise objections, and continue carping and cavilling, showing that they contend not for truth, but victory, can they but obtain it any way; for my part, as if the apostle should say, I shall not think it worth my while to continue the dispute any... 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

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