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1 Corinthians 11: Faith or Form
Why was Paul such a strong believer in his practice of following Christ that he wanted others to do the same?
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Acts 26:29 I pray that you and everybody else listening to me go beyond ‘almost’ and become followers of Jesus as I am—except for these chains.
1 Corinthians 11:1 You should imitate what I do in following Christ.
King James
Acts 26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
If you were to talk to Paul today, what do you think he’d say was the most important part of his teaching?
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1 Corinthians 11:2 You are to be commended for remembering my words and heeding my teaching.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
Why might there be a problem in telling all believers that they must follow long-standing Jewish traditions?
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1 Corinthians 11:3 Let me speak to the tradition you hold to be true: The husband is under Jesus’ authority and the wife is under the husband’s authority. Jesus is under the authority of the Father.
11:4 If a man prays or speaks on behalf of the Lord, wearing a head covering is a dishonor to Christ.
11:5 But if a woman prays or speaks on behalf of the Lord, she must wear a head covering, respecting the man’s authority, or she would be like one whose head had been shaved.
11:6 Without a head covering, she might as well shave her head too, for she is a disgrace. Her head should be covered.
11:7 A man should not cover his head, because he reflects God’s glory. But the woman should cover her head, because she reflects the man’s glory.
11:8 The woman was created out of the man, not the man out of the woman.
11:9 The man wasn’t created for the woman, but the woman was created for man.
11:10 Therefore, the woman must wear a head covering to show she is under the man’s authority.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
What parts of the tradition of head covering is practiced in many Christian communities today?
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1 Corinthians 11:7 A man should not cover his head, because he reflects God’s glory. But the woman should cover her head, because she reflects the man’s glory.
11:8 The woman was created out of the man, not the man out of the woman.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
What cultures do you know of that still insist that women are like slaves, born to be servants to obey and please their husbands?
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1 Corinthians 11:9 The man wasn’t created for the woman, but the woman was created for man.
11:10 Therefore, the woman must wear a head covering to show she is under the man’s authority.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
How does Paul counter the argument that women should be subject to men?
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1 Corinthians 11:11 The truth is, men need women and women need men.
11:12 Yes, the first woman was created out of the first man, but since then, every man has been born of a woman. Both come under God’s authority.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
11:12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
How does Paul counter the argument that men should not have a head covering?
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1 Corinthians 11:14 Does nature teach that long hair is a disgrace for a man? Of course not. Nature lets it grow until it is cut.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
How does Paul counter the argument that women need a head covering?
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1 Corinthians 11:15 Long hair can contribute to a woman’s beauty and is already a covering for her head.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
Why do you think it was important for Paul to say that none of the churches followed the religious traditions? Specifically, which churches do you suppose he was referring to?
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1 Corinthians 11:16 Why should you contend over such an issue, for we have no such customs in any of our assemblies of God.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
In a large gathering, people typically join with friends. Why might this be a problem in a church fellowship?
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1 Corinthians 11:17 In the next matter, I cannot say you do well. From what I hear, your gatherings do more harm than good.
11:18 I’ve been told that you have separated yourselves from one another. I know that must be true to some extent.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
What was the “false belief” that the Corinthians had embraced when they met together?
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1 Corinthians 11:19 And you must be practicing false beliefs,
11:20 because you gather for a meal without remembering the Lord.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.
What should be the purpose in church members eating together?
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Matthew 18:20 I am present whenever two or three are gathered under my direction and authority.
Acts 2:42 And they continued to learn from the apostles, sharing meals together and meeting in the Temple for prayer.
1 Corinthians 11:21 You eat to satisfy your own hunger and thirst, without concern for others. As a result, some remain hungry while others over-indulge.
Hebrews 10:25 Don’t be like some who fail to regularly meet together. Encourage one another more and more as the day of the Lord’s return approaches.
King James
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
1 Corinthians 11:21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Why are people sometimes not concerned about the needs of others?
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1 Corinthians 11:22 Can’t you eat and drink at home? Your actions show a lack of concern for the purpose Jesus’ followers should have in meeting—to help those in need. What can I say, that you’ve done well? Absolutely not.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
What might Jesus have been teaching when he broke the loaf to give bread to the disciples?
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1 Corinthians 11:23 You were taught what I learned from the Lord. On the night Jesus was betrayed, he took the bread,
11:24 blessed it, broke it, and said to his disciples, “Take this bread and eat. This is my body that is broken for you. Do this to remember me.”
King James
1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
What do you think Jesus was asking the disciples to remember?
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1 Corinthians 11:23 You were taught what I learned from the Lord. On the night Jesus was betrayed, he took the bread,
11:24 blessed it, broke it, and said to his disciples, “Take this bread and eat. This is my body that is broken for you. Do this to remember me.”
King James
1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
In remembering what Jesus did, should we focus more on how we benefitted or how we should do for others what he did for us? Why?
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1 Corinthians 11:25 In the same demonstration of self-sacrifice, he took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new agreement sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink, remember what I have done.”
11:26 Every time you eat bread and drink together, you should remember the Lord’s desire to sacrifice himself for the sake of others, and you should follow his example until he returns.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
Should remembering Jesus be something we do only during special church gatherings? Why or why not?
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1 Corinthians 11:26 Every time you eat bread and drink together, you should remember the Lord’s desire to sacrifice himself for the sake of others, and you should follow his example until he returns.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
What is the problem if we fail to remember and follow Jesus’ example?
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1 Corinthians 11:27 If you sit at what you call the Lord’s Supper but do not follow his example, you have sinned by voiding the value of his sacrifice.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
Why should we examine out motives before we meet with others?
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1 Corinthians 11:28 Therefore, you should examine your motives before you eat bread and drink together in the Lord’s name.
11:29 If you ignore the purpose for which Christ died and do not share his passion for people, you condemn yourselves, making his exhortation no more than a religious form.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
Who suffers when we fail to reach out to meet other people’s needs?
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1 Corinthians 11:30 This is why, lacking the power of God in your lives, many are lethargic and sick, and some have died.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
What do you think God’s judgment might be when we don’t try to help others who are hurting?
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Matthew 24:45 How does the faithful and wise servant behave, the one whom the owner would want to put in charge of his business of meeting the needs of others?
25:29 People who put to good use what they have will gain more, but people who do nothing with what they have will lose what they have hidden.
25:30 Throw this good-for-nothing servant outside in the darkness, where there will be bitterness and weeping.
1 Corinthians 11:31 If you would examine yourselves and recognize your shortcomings, you wouldn’t have to be judged for wrongdoing.
King James
Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
Why should we be eager to accept God’s discipline ?
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1 Corinthians 11:32 When the Lord judges and disciplines us, he saves us from being condemned with the world.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
People often attend church for the benefits they receive. Why is that not the best focus?
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1 Corinthians 11:33 Therefore, my friends, when you gather in the Lord’s name to eat together, be concerned for the needs of others.
11:34 Satisfy your own hunger at home and avoid being judged for wrongdoing. As for the other matters, we will talk about them face-to-face when I am with you.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
11:34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
What other issues might Paul have reserved for face-to-face communication? Why would he not write about them?
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1 Corinthians 11:34 Satisfy your own hunger at home and avoid being judged for wrongdoing. As for the other matters, we will talk about them face-to-face when I am with you.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.