1 Corinthians 11:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.

NIV: For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

NASB: For as the woman originated from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God.

CSB: For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman, and all things come from God.

NLT: For although the first woman came from man, every other man was born from a woman, and everything comes from God.

KJV: For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

NKJV: For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.

Teaching in this section has focused on differences between men and women. In particular, Paul has explained how the subtle spiritual differences between the sexes imply different applications of the same fundamental principle. The cultural implications of a covered or uncovered head in public, in Corinth, were notable. Therefore, the Corinthians Christians ought to choose wisely, and in consideration of what spiritual message their physical appearance sent.

Though much of this has focused on women—as some Corinthian women were acting inappropriately—Paul has not taught that women are inferior to men. On the contrary, he has said neither gender is self-existent (1 Corinthians 11:11). Both need the other. This is seen in the fact that woman was made from man when Eve was formed from Adam's rib.

It is also seen in the reality that every man ever born after Adam was born from a woman. While this is a brief remark, compared to what's come before, it carries tremendous implications. As stated in the prior verse, the sexes are absolutely dependent on one another. Neither is disposable, or secondary. Beyond that, Paul states, everything is from God. Both genders need each other, and both need God to exist and to thrive according to His design.

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.