1 Corinthians 11:4-5 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Paul, having answered the cases put to him, proceeds in this chapter to the redress of grievances. The Rom. 11:1 of the chapter is put, by those who divided the epistle into chapters, as a preface to the rest of the epistle, but seems to have been a more proper close to the last, in which he had enforced the cautions he had given against the abuse of liberty, by his own example: Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ (Rom. 11:1), fitly closes his argument; and the way of speaking in the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

11:2-16 I praise you because you remember me in all things and because you hold fast to the traditions as I handed them down to you. But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and that the man is the head of the woman, and that God is the head of Christ. Every man who prays or preaches with his head covered shames his head. Every woman who prays or preaches with her head uncovered shames her head, for she is in exactly the same case as a woman whose head has been shaved;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:4

Every man praying or prophesying ,.... This is to be understood of praying and prophesying in public, and not in private; and not to be restrained to the person that is the mouth of the congregation to God in prayer, or who preaches to the people in the name of God; but to be applied to every individual person that attends public worship, that joins in prayer with the minister, and hears the word preached by him, which is meant by prophesying; for not foretelling future events is here meant,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:5

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth ,.... Not that a woman was allowed to pray publicly in the congregation, and much less to preach or explain the word, for these things were not permitted them: see 1 Corinthians 14:34 but it designs any woman that joins in public worship with the minister in prayer, and attends on the hearing of the word preached, or sings the praises of God with the congregation, as we have seen, the word prophesying signifies, with her head uncovered . It... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:4

Verse 4 4.Every man praying Here there are two propositions. The first relates to the man, the other to the woman He says that the man commits an offense against Christ his head, if he prays or prophesies with his head covered. Why so? Because he is subject to Christ, with this understanding, that he is to hold the first place in the government of the house — for the father of the family is like a king in his own house. Hence the glory of God shines forth in him, in consequence of the authority... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:5

Verse 5 5.Every woman praying or prophesying Here we have the second proposition — that women ought to have their heads covered when they pray or prophesy; otherwise they dishonor their head For as the man honors his head by showing his liberty, so the woman, by showing her subjection. Hence, on the other hand, if the woman uncovers her head, she shakes off subjection — involving contempt of her husband. It may seem, however, to be superfluous for Paul to forbid the woman to prophesy with her... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Apostolic injunctions with regard to Church services. Though the Corinthians deserved blame in some things, they were entitled to praise in that they had generally observed St. Paul's directions. Despite their departure from certain of his instructions, he could say, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ;" by which he recognized that they had discernment enough to see the Lord Jesus in his personal and official character, and a sufficient brotherly sympathy to imitate his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Decency in public worship. When we appear before God we should observe the greatest propriety. Externals should not be lost sight of, for they are significant. Often they are indicative of inward condition. The apostle had occasion to blame the women of Corinth for laying aside the veil—the mark of modesty and subjection—in public assemblies. On the ground of the abolition of distinction of sex in Christ, they claimed equality in every respect with men, and the right to appear and act as... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:5

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

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:5

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

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