1 Corinthians 11:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman;

NIV: Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.

NASB: However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.

CSB: In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, and man is not independent of woman.

NLT: But among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women.

KJV: Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

NKJV: Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord.

These verses have described subtle differences between men and women. That, in part, results in different applications of spiritual principles for both. In this exact context, that means separate approaches to having their heads covered during worship services. It's critical to realize that Paul has not taught that women are inferior to men. Both in this letter, and elsewhere, he extols the value and spiritual equality of women (1 Corinthians 7:4; Galatians 3:28). In fact, many women in Corinth came into the church on their own, without their husbands (1 Corinthians 7:13). Early Christianity drew in many women because of the clear teaching that God welcomed everyone, without regard to gender, who received His grace by faith in Jesus.

Paul emphasizes here, again, that women and men are dependent on each other in the Lord. Neither gender is self-existent. Christianity rejects the independence of both men and women from each other, insisting that both need the other and both need the Lord. Neither gender is inferior, and neither is dispensable. In the following verse, Paul will demonstrate that his instructions on head coverings (1 Corinthians 11:3–10) are not grounded in female inferiority.

First Corinthians 11:2–16 describes Paul's correction of an inappropriate practice of some women in the Corinthian church. Contrary to social norms of that era, they were not wearing head coverings when praying or prophesying before the church. Paul insists that both women and men consider what their chosen appearance implies about their relationship with God. Cultural details may vary, but the principle does not: Christian men and women ought to be ''respectable'' in their manners and dress. In parallel, this teaching also touches on the concept of spiritual leadership.

Paul confronts two issues the church in Corinth was failing to practice correctly. First, some women were not wearing head coverings while praying or prophesying in their meetings. Paul insisted they must do so, and that men must not, based on mankind's relationship to God and the social implications of that covering. Second, Paul describes the reasons for observing the Lord's Supper and how it should be done. The Corinthian Christians had brought God's judgment on themselves for practicing communion in a way which dishonored Christ's sacrifice for sin and humiliated the poor among them.

After concluding his teaching on meat offered to idols, Paul turns to two issues the church in Corinth was getting wrong. The first was head coverings when praying or prophesying in their meetings. Differences between men and women in that regard are because of both spiritual and social reasons. Paul also corrects the disastrous way in which they were practicing the observance of the Lord's Supper. They were dishonoring Christ's sacrifice for sin as well as the poor in the body of Christ, the church. Despite having more to say on communion, Paul will move on to the topic of spiritual gifts in chapter 12.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.