A STUDY OF 1 CORINTHIANS (Lesson Eight)
Submission, Hair and Head Covering (Part One)
1 Corinthians 11:2-16 (847)
Introduction
A. This is a difficult passage over which Bible scholars have varied views.
B. If you have any questions, clarifications or views that you would like to express,
please do so.
C. Comments regarding their society
D. As we delve into our study, let’s read verse 2.
1. The Christians had followed the Apostle Paul’s instructions in certain areas.
2. The word “But” in v3 introduced an exception.
I. Paul drew a parallel between God and Christ on the one hand and man and woman on
the other.
A. The relationship of God and Christ.
1. They are one (equally Divine). John 17:20-22 (796)
2. They have different roles: God sent Christ (John 3:16, p381; John 17:25, p796).
God is the Father and Christ is His Son.
Christ came to do God’s will. Luke 6:38 (784); Romans 5:8 (832).
B. The relationship of man and woman.
1. They are one (equally human). 1 Corinthians 11:11-12; Galatians 3:26-29
(861; Ephesians 5:31 (866)
2. They have different roles. V12c. Consider husband and wife in Ephesians 5 (866)
The husband is the head. Vv23-24; The wife is to submit. V22
They are to submit to one another in the fear of the Lord. V21
II. Paul instructed the Corinthians Christians about hair length.
A. Man. V14
1. The word “nature” means custom.
2. The genders were to be distinguished in that culture by the length of hair.
3. How do we know that Paul was using a cultural argument? Think about men in
the Bible who had long hair. Samson, Absalom, every man who took the Nazare vow
(Numbers 6:5), including Paul. Acts 18:18 (819)
B. Woman. V15. Covering here is one type of covering used by Paul and refers to a
woman’s hair.
