1Corinthians 11:1-16 GODLY ORDER There will always be things in the life of an assembly - and an individual, for that matter - that need instruction and correction. Paul gave us a good example of how to address issues that need correcting by offering honest commendation and praise for what is right to begin with. The Corinthian assembly knew Paul well, for he had been with them nearly two years, and they appreciated his interest and remembered him and his teaching. They had also kept the ordinances (traditions), the spiritual teaching he had given, and were passing them on from one to another. The traditions of men are not things to be passed on, but what was then, and is today, traditions from the scriptures of truth; they are to be kept. Paul was the example they could follow. Without the written words of the New Testament, they had to rely on the oral testimony of those who spoke for God. False teachers often expose their false teaching by lifestyles that are inconsistent with the teaching of the scriptures. A person's gift in teaching or public testimony of faith in Christ alone must be reinforced by the kind of person he is, the life he lives, and the grace he shows.
There was disorder in the meetings of the assembly at Corinth, and in this part of the epistle Paul seeks to correct these disorders by carefully reviewing the issues and calmly and clearly setting forth the spiritual principles that applied to them. Irreverence apparently was a problem when they came together then, as it is in some places now. The believers were coming to worship God in the same manner as they would when visiting someone's house. The assemblies that began all over the world, beginning at Jerusalem, welcomed those who were saved as equals: males and females, rich and poor, slave and free, regardless of nationality, into the fellowship of believers. Today, as it was then, perhaps to a lesser degree, that irreverent freedom is carried to excess. An irreverent attitude leads to casual prayers. Inappropriate music opens the door for the fleshly attraction to worldly music to assert itself. Divisions and disorder are usually not very far apart. Respect, integrity, and reverence are also not very far apart. A New Testament church needs to have these characteristics to be appropriate for the worship of God and service to God.
The careful explanation of the visible evidence of spiritual worship in the assembly indicates the importance the Spirit of God, through His servant Paul, places on this matter. Some today believe it doesn't matter what a person wears or how they act when they come to worship God. They think the important thing is that they are there at all. The Lord Jesus clarified the principles of worship when He said, "They that worship the Father, must worship Him in spirit and in truth." The right attitude (spirit) and the right words (truth) are expected of those who come into the presence of God as a gathered-out company of saints.
Some will say that the uncovered heads of men and the covered heads of women are merely an ancient cultural practice, neither relevant nor expected of us today. Even if it was cultural then, which it was, the principles behind the specific instructions the apostle Paul gave regarding headship are timeless. Respect for our spouse, reverence for God, and what is acceptable in worship are meant to focus our attention on the God we worship, not on ourselves. Women were to wear head coverings so attention was not directed to them, and men were to be uncovered so attention was directed to the Head, which is Christ. There are several reasons why the visible distinction among those who come to worship and serve God together as an assembly is important. Submission of those who represent Christ and His bride, the Church, is a fundamental part of Christian unity in the local assembly.
There is also a spiritual reason for this order. The Father is head over Christ, yet they are equal in value and importance. Their roles are different in the kingdom of God. The different roles men and women fill do not have to do with worth. In the assembly, women are subject to male leadership, even though they are equals. This is about maintaining order under the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. Men honor the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head, by not being covered. Women honor male leadership and the authority of God by covering their heads so attention is not specifically directed to them. In this way, submission is shown by both sexes to the authority of the Sovereign Lord. The long hair of women reflects personal submission to the leadership of her husband and her respect for herself. Men show this by short hair, which nature teaches. Women are able to glorify God with a head covering and honor male leadership by their long hair, and not to be a disgrace to themselves by appearing manly. Conversely, men glorify God with uncovered heads, and short hair identifies their role in the assembly and keeps them from disgracing themselves by appearing feminine.
Another reason for this public representation of saints submitting to this divine order is found in the order of creation. The man was created first. He is the responsible one in the public domain. Women are not inferior to men because there is unity in the equality of both persons. However, men have been considered (at least until recently) by the government of the country to be the head of the household. As such, men have delegated authority in the home to rule with compassion, humility, responsibility, and unbiased recognition of each member of that household. This is true in an assembly of saints. Angels look on and observe the divine order of headship restored in the assembly, which they lost in rebellion and the first couple lost in disobedience. That has now become visibly evident to angels and men in local assemblies who follow the scriptural pattern of gathering. There, the headship of Christ is honored and hopefully maintained.
The interdependence of men and women, as taught in verses 11 and 12, reveals the partnership of both in the assembly. We need each other to carry out the Word of God. An assembly is not made up of women only or of men only. Both are essential to declare the testimony of Christ and His love for the church. To worship God in the way He intends is serious and not to be taken lightly. Angels look on; those in the observers' seats are learning; the participants, both audible and inaudible, are made conscious of God's presence when worshipping in "the beauty of holiness." Dignity and propriety are imposed on us by nature so we can testify to divine order by the distinction of the sexes. Believers should behave in honorable ways and look modest and respectful in ways that suit the culture in which they live. We are not to adopt all the practices of a local culture just to make ourselves appealing. But we are to conduct ourselves wherever we are in ways that demonstrate our faith in Christ and that honor Him consistently in behavior and appearance. Modesty and respect are found in every culture and should be seen in those who gather in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to worship, honor, and serve God.