Lesson 2068

(Lesson 2068)(07-01-17) 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 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. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 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. 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. 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. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of god. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."

In today's quote, Paul laid out a bunch of what appeared to be rules as to how men and women are to conduct themselves in worship and in prayer. Particularly as to whether or not they should of should not have long hair or whether or not they should pray uncovered. In actuality, Paul was citing rules of conduct that were the customs of mankind, and not what Jesus demands of His flock. This fact is evidenced by what he said in the last verse of today's quote pertaining to the true church; "we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."

Sadly, there are many of today's religious isms, that content that the things Paul listed here are rules that are to be obeyed by the church. Yet, as the last verse clearly states, that is simply not what Paul intended. In reality, it makes no difference how one wears his/her hair or whether or not one prays covered or uncovered.~