QT 4/1/2025 1 Cor 11:8-16, God's commands can be difficult, but still true

1 Corinthians 11:8–16 (ESV) —

8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

 

NOTE: This is another passage that many want to ascribe to different cultural norms, but I don't think that is possible. For one, verse 16 makes it sound as if it was taught all across the Roman empire to all the churches (with no exceptions). The principle again, is the headship or authority of the man in marriage, and in the church (the reference of wife and also prayer place our context). In this case, the long hair is also in reference to angels which would seem to place it outside of just a cultural norm. I do think that for a woman, her hair is very important, it is her glory. And unless she has a medical condition, hair is preferred to bald. For a man, it is hard to say -- I think short hair is better than long hair, that is to distinguish himself from a woman, but I am loathe to argue the point. Again, verse 16 seems to be a warning -- "If anyone is inclined to be contentions, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God."

 

How do we respond when the word of God teaches something that we do not want to believe? I think we have only one true choice. If God says something and I say something, who is right? God is always right and I need to change my view. But what if the writers got it wrong? I think God is powerful enough to protect his word. A good study of the historicity of the bible will show that to be true.

 

PONDER:

1. How do I respond to God's word when the passage is difficult or conflicts with the culture, such as homosexuality?
2. Who is always right in a disagreement, God or myself?

 

PRAYER: Father, I believe your word holds the truth for a purposeful and abundant (not meaning materially rich) life. Help me to let go of my pride and rebellion, and do as you command.