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1 Corinthians 11:16

1 Corinthians 11:16 in Multiple Translations

If anyone is inclined to dispute this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God.

But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

But if any man seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

But if any man will not be ruled in this question, this is not our way of doing things, and it is not done in the churches of God.

But if anyone wants to argue about this, we don't have any other custom than this, and neither do any other of God's churches.

But if any man lust to be contentious, we haue no such custome, neither the Churches of God.

and if any one doth think to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the assemblies of God.

But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God’s assemblies.

But if any man seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor the church of God.

But whoever wants to argue with me about my saying that women should have a covering over their heads when they pray or speak a message from God should consider the fact that we apostles do not permit any other custom, and the other congregations of God do not have any other custom.

I know some people might want to argue with me about all of this, but I’m telling you that we always do it that way. It is our custom. All of God’s churches do it that way when they meet together.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 11:16

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1 Corinthians 11:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK ει δε τις δοκει φιλονεικος ειναι ημεις τοιαυτην συνηθειαν ουκ εχομεν ουδε αι εκκλησιαι του θεου
ει ei G1487 if COND
δε de G1161 then Conj
τις tis G5100 one Indef-NSM
δοκει dokeō G1380 to think Verb-PAI-3S
φιλονεικος philoneikos G5380 dispute-loving Adj-NSM
ειναι eimi G1510 to be Verb-PAN
ημεις egō G1473 I/we Pron-1NP
τοιαυτην toioutos G5108 such as this Dem-ASF
συνηθειαν sunētheia G4914 custom Noun-ASF
ουκ ou G3756 no Particle-N
εχομεν echō G2192 to have/be Verb-PAI-1P
ουδε oude G3761 nor Conj-N
αι ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NPF
εκκλησιαι ekklēsia G1577 assembly Noun-NPF
του ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSM
θεου theos G2316 God Noun-GSM
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 11:16

ει ei G1487 "if" COND
This word means 'if' and is used to express conditions or questions. It appears in many Bible verses, such as Matthew 11:14 and Romans 8:25, introducing a condition or hypothesis.
Definition: εἰ, conjunctive particle, used in conditions and in indirect questions. __I. Conditional, if; __1. with indic, expressing a general assumption; __(a) pres.: before indic, pres., Mat.11:14, Rom.8:25, al.; before imperat., Mrk.4:23 9:22, Jhn.15:18, 1Co.7:9, al.; before fut. indic., Luk.16:31, Rom.8:11, al.; before pf. or aor., with negation in apodosis, Mat.12:26, Rom.4:14, al.; similarly, before impf., Luk.17:6, Jhn.8:39; before quæst., Mat.6:23, Jhn.5:47 7:23 8:46, 1Pe.2:20; __(b) fut.: Mat.26:33, 1Pe.2:20; __(with) pf.: Jhn.11:12, Rom.6:5, al.; __(d) aor.: Luk.16:11 19:8, Jhn.13:32, 18:23, Rev.20:15, al. __2. Where the assumption is certain = ἐπεί: Mat.12:28, Jhn.7:4, Rom.5:17, al. __3. Of an unfulfilled condition, with indic, impf., aor. or plpf., before ἄν, with imp. or aor. (see: ἄν, I, i). __4. C. indic., after verbs denoting wonder, etc., sometimes, but not always, coupled with an element of doubt: Mrk.15:44, 1Jn.3:13, al. __5. C. indic., as in LXX (Num.14:3o, 1Ki.14:45, al. = Heb. אִם), in oaths, with the formula of imprecation understood in a suppressed apodosis (WM, 627; Burton, §272): Mrk.8:12, Heb.3:11" (LXX) 4:3 (LXX). __6. Rarely (cl.) with optative, to express a merely possible condition: Act.24:19 27:39, 1Co.14:10 15:37, I Pe3:14, 17. __II. Interrogative, if, whether. __1. As in cl., in indir. questions after verbs of seeing, asking, knowing, saying, etc.: with indic. pres., Mat.26:63, Mrk.15:36, Act.19:2, 2Co.13:5, al.; fut., Mrk.3:2, Act.8:22, al.; aor., Mrk.15:44, 1Co.1:16, al.; with subjc. aor. (M, Pr., 194), Php.3:12. __2. As in LXX (= Heb. אִם and interrog. הֲ, Gen.17:17, al.; see WM, 639f.; Viteau, i, 22), in direct questions: Mrk.8:23 (Tr., WH, txt.), Luk.13:23, 22:49, Act.19:2, al. __III. With other particles. __1. εἰ ἄρα, εἴγε, εἰ δὲ μήγε, see: ἄρα, γε. __2. εἰ δὲ καί, but if also: Luk.11:18; but even if, 1Co.4:7, 2Co.4:3 11:16. __3. εἰ δὲ μή, but if not, but if otherwise: Mrk.2:21, 22 Jhn.14:2, Rev.2:5, al. __4. εἰ καί, if even, if also, although: Mrk.14:29, Luk.11:8, 1Co.7:21, 2Co.4:16, Php.2:17, al. __5. καὶ εἰ, even if, see: καί __6. εἰ μή, if not, unless, except, but only: Mat.24:22, Mrk.2:26 6:5, Jhn.9:33, 1Co.7:17 (only), Gal.1:19 (cf. ἐὰν μή, 2:16; see Hort., Ja., xvi); ἐκτὸς εἰ μή, pleonastic (Bl., §65, 6), 1Co.14:5 15:2, 1Ti.5:19. __7. εἰ μήν = cl. ἦ μήν (M, Pr., 46), in oaths, surely (Eze.33:27, al.): Heb.6:14. __8. εἴ πως, if haply: Act.27:12, Rom.1:10. __9. εἴτε . . . εἴτε, whether . . . or; Rom.12:6-8, 1Co.3:22 13:8, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 459 NT verses. KJV: forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether See also: 1 Corinthians 1:14; 2 Corinthians 10:7; 1 Peter 1:6.
δε de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
τις tis G5100 "one" Indef-NSM
This pronoun refers to a person or thing in a general sense, as seen in Luke 9:49 and John 11:1. It can mean someone, anyone, or anything. This term is often used to describe an unspecified individual or object.
Definition: τις, neut., τι, genitive, τινός, enclitic indefinite pron., related to interrog. τίς as πού, πως, ποτέ to ποῦ, πῶς, πότε. __I. As subst., __1. one, a certain one: Luk.9:49, Jhn.11:1, Act.5:25, al.; pl., τίνες, certain, some: Luk.13:1, Act.15:1, Rom.3:8, al. __2. someone, anyone, something, anything: Mat.12:29, Mrk.9:30, Luk.8:46, Jhn.2:25, Act.17:25, Rom.5:7, al.; = indef., one (French on), Mrk.8:4, Jhn.2:25, Rom.8:24, al.; pl., τινες, some, Mrk.14:4, al. __II. II. As adj., __1. a certain: Mat.18:12, Luk.1:5 8:27, Act.3:2, al.; with proper names, Mrk.15:21, Luk.23:26, al.; with genitive partit., Luk.7:19, al. __2. some: Mrk.16:[8], Jhn.5:14, Act.17:21 24:24, Heb.11:40, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 490 NT verses. KJV: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 12:17; 1 Peter 2:19.
δοκει dokeō G1380 "to think" Verb-PAI-3S
To think means to have an opinion or suppose something, as in Matthew 24:44 and Luke 12:40. It involves having a thought or idea about something, which may or may not be true.
Definition: δοκέω, -ῶ (δόκος, opinion, δέκομαι, Ion, form of δέχ-), [in LXX for טוֹב, נָדַב, etc. ;] __1. to be of opinion, suppose: Mat.24:44, Luk.12:40, Heb.10:29; with inf., Mat.3:9, Luk.8:18 24:37, Jhn.5:39 16:2, Act.12:9 27:13, 1Co.3:18 7:40 8:2 10:12 14:37, Gal.6:3, Php.3:4, Jas.1:26; with accusative and inf., 1Co.12:23, 2Co.11:16; before ὅτι, Mat.6:7 26:53, Mrk.6:49, Luk.12:51 13:2, 4 19:11, Jhn.5:45 11:13, 31 13:29 20:15, 1Co.4:9, 2Co.12:19, Jas.4:5. __2. to seem, be reputed: Act.25:27; with inf., Mrk.10:42, Luk.10:36 22:24, Act.17:13 26:9, 1Co.11:16 12:22, 2Co.10:9, Gal.2:6, 9, Heb.4:1 12:11; οἱ δοκοῦντες, those of repute, Gal.2:2. Impers., it seems, with dative of person(s); __(a) to think: Mat.17:25 18:12 21:28 22:17, 42 26:66, Jhn.11:56, Heb.12:10; __(b) to please, seem good to: with inf., Luk.1:3, Act.15:22, 25 15:23, 34.† SYN. (δοκέω 1): ἡγέομαι 2, νομίζω2, οἴομαι; ἡ. and ν. properly express belief resting on external proof, ἡ. denoting the more careful judgment; δ. and οἴ. imply a subjective judgment which in the case of οἴ. is based on feeling, in δ. on thought (see Schmidt, with 17) (δοκέω2): φαίνομαι; φ., from the standpoint of the object, "expresses how a matter phenomenally shows and presents itself"; δ., from the standpoint of the observer, expresses one's subjective judgment about a matter (see Tr., Syn., LXXx; Cremer, 204). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 61 NT verses. KJV: be accounted, (of own) please(-ure), be of reputation, seem (good), suppose, think, trow See also: 1 Corinthians 3:18; John 5:39; Hebrews 4:1.
φιλονεικος philoneikos G5380 "dispute-loving" Adj-NSM
A person who loves to dispute or argue is described by this word. In 1 Corinthians 11:16, it characterizes those who are fond of strife and contentious.
Definition: φιλό-νεικος, -ον (νεῖκος, strife) [in LXX: Eze.3:7 (חָזָק ־מֵצַח)* ;] fond of strife, contentious: 1Co.11:16.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: contentious See also: 1 Corinthians 11:16.
ειναι eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-PAN
To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.
Definition: εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. __I. As substantive verb. __1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. __2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. __3. to be present, be in a place, have come: Mat.2:13, 15, Mrk.1:45, 5:21, 15:40, Luk.1:80, 5:29, Jhn.7:30, al.; before εἰς, Mrk.2:1; before ἐκ, (ἐξ), Mat.1:20, 21:25, Mrk.11:30, Jhn.3:31, al. __4. Impers., ἔστι, ἦν, etc.; __(a) there is (Fr. il y a), was, etc.: Mat.16:28, Luk.16:19, Jhn.3:1, 5:2, Rom.3:10, al.; with dative (of the possessor; Bl., §37, 3), Mat.16:22, Luk.1:7, Jhn.18.10, Rom.9:2, al.; ἔστιν ὅς, ὅστις (chiefly in pl), Mat.16:28, 19:2, Mrk.9:1, al.; __(b) with inf., = ἔξεστιν (which see), it is possible: Heb.9:5, 1Co.11:20, RV (but see ICC, in l.). __II. As copula uniting subject and predicate. __1. Expressing simply identity or equivalence: Mat.5:13, 14:15, Luk.1:18, 19, Jhn.1:1, 4:19, Rev.3:9, al. mult. __2. Explicative, as in parable, figure, type, etc.: Mat.13:19, 1Co.9:2, 10:4, 11:25, Gal.4:24, Rev.17:15, al.; ταῦτ᾽ ἔστιν, Mat.27:46, Mrk.7:2, Rom.7:18 al.; ὅ ἐστιν, Mrk.3:17, Col.1:24, Heb.7:2, al.; akin to this is the sacramental usage: Mat.26:26-28, Mrk.14:22, 24, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24 (see ICC on Mk, I Co, ll. with; DB, iii, 148 f.). __3. C. genitive: qual., etc., Mrk.5:42, Luk.3:23, 1Co.14:33, Heb.12:11, al.; part., 1Ti.1:20, 2Ti.1:15; poss., Mat.5:3, 10, Mrk.12:7, Luk.4:7; of service or partisanship, Rom.8:9, 1Co.1:12, 2Co.10:7, 2Ti.2:19. __4. C. dative (BL, §37, 3): Act.1:8, 9:15, Rom.4:12, 1Co.1:18, 2:14, Rev.21:7, al. __5. C. ptcp., as a periphrasis for the simple verb (Bl., §62, 1, 2; M, Pr., 225 ff.); __(a) with ptcp. pf. (cl.): Mat.10:30, Luk.9:32, Jhn.3:24, Act.21:35, 1Co.15:19, al; __(b) with ptcp. pr. (esp. in impf., as in Heb. and Aram.; Dalman, Words, 35 f.), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Luk.4:31, 14:1, Act.1:10, al. mult., id. for imper. (M, Pr., 180f., 182f.), with ellipsis of εἰμί, Rom.12:9, 10, Heb.13:5, al.; __(with) with ptcp. aor. (cl), Luk.23:9. __6. Seq. εἰς (cf. Heb. הָיָה לְ), a vernac. usage (M, Pr., 71): Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:8, Heb.8:10, al. __7. C. adv.: Mat.19:20, Mrk.4:26, Luk.18:11, al. __8. Ellipses; __(a) of the copula (Bl., §30, 3): Mat.8:29, 24:32, Jhn.21:22, 23, Heb.6:4, al.; __(b) of the predicate: ἐγώ εἰμί, Mat.14:27, Mrk.6:50, al.; absol. (cf. Deu.32:39; אֲנִי הוּא), Mrk.13:6, Jhn.4:26, al. (cf. ἄπ-, ἔν-, πάρ-, συμ-πάρ-, σύν-ειμι). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.
ημεις egō G1473 "I/we" Pron-1NP
This is a pronoun meaning I or me, used by the speaker to refer to themselves. It is often used in the Bible to emphasize the speaker's identity.
Definition: ἐγώ, genitive, etc., ἐμοῦ, ἐμοί, ἐμέ (enclitic μου, μοι, με), pl. ἡμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς, of person(s) pron. I. __(a) The nom. is usually emphatic, when expressed as subjc, as in Mat.3:11, Mrk.1:8, Luk.3:16, al. But often there is no apparent emphasis, as Mat.10:16, Jhn.10:17; ἰδοὺ ἐ. (= Heb. הִנֵּנִי, cf. 1Ki.3:8), Act.9:10; ἐ. (like Heb. אֲנִי), I am, Jhn.1:23 (LXX), Act.7:32 (LXX). __(b) The enclitic forms (see supr.) are used with nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, where there is no emphasis: ἐν τ. πατρί μου, Jhn.14:20; μου τ. λόγους, Mat.7:24; ὀπίσω μου, Mat.3:11; ἰσχυρότερός μου, ib.; λέγει μοι, Rev.5:5; also with the prep. πρός, as Mrk.9:19, al. The full forms (ἐμοῦ, etc.) are used with the other prepositions, as δι᾽ ἐμοῦ, ἐν ἐμοί, εἰς ἐμέ, etc., also for emphasis, as Luk.10:16, Jhn.7:23, Mrk.14:7, al. __(with) The genitive μου and ἡμῶν are often used for the poss. pronouns ἐμός, ἡμέτερος: τ. λαόν μου, Mat.2:6; μου τῂ ἀπιστιᾳ, Mrk.9:24. __(d) τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί ( = Heb. מַה־לִי וָלָךְ, Jdg.11:12, al.), i.e. what have we in common: Mat.8:29, Mrk.1:24, 5:7, Luk.8:28, Jhn.2:4; τί γάρ μοι, 1Co.5:2. __(e) The interchange of ἐγώ and ἡμεῖς, common in π., appears in Pauline Epp. (see M, Pr., 86f., M, Th., 131f.). __(f) κἀγώ (= καὶ ἐγώ), and I, even I, I also: Mat.2:8, Luk.2:48, Jhn.6:56, Rom.3:7, 1Co.7:40, al.; κἀγώ . . . καί, both . . . and, Jhn.7:28. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1872 NT verses. KJV: I, me See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 16:24; 1 Peter 1:3.
τοιαυτην toioutos G5108 "such as this" Dem-ASF
This word means something or someone is of a certain kind or character, like a particular example. It appears in Matthew 9:8 and 18:5. It describes a unique individuality.
Definition: τοιοῦτος, -αύτη, -οῦτο (as usually in Att.. prose. Ep. and Ion. neut. -οῦτον in Al., Act.21:25, Rec. only), correlat. of οἷος, ὁποῖος, ὥς, etc., such as this, of such a kind, such: Mat.9:8 18:5, Mrk.4:33 6:2 7:13 9:37 (T, τούτων), Jhn.9:16, Act.16:24, 1Co.5:1 11:16, 2Co.3:4 3:12 12:3, Heb.7:26 8:1 12:3 13:16, Jas.4:16; οἷος . . . τ., 1Co.15:48, 2Co.10:11; id. pleonast. (see Bl., § 50, 4), Mrk.13:19; before ὁποῖος, Act.26:29; ὥς, Phm 9. As subst., anarth: pl., Luk.9:9; with art., ὁ τ., such a one (Bl., § 47, 9; Ellic. on Gal.5:21): Act.22:22, 1Co.5:5, al.; pl., Mat.19:14, Mrk.10:14, al.; neut. pl., Act.19:25, Rom.1:32, al (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 59 NT verses. KJV: like, such (an one) See also: 1 Corinthians 5:1; Galatians 6:1; Hebrews 7:26.
συνηθειαν sunētheia G4914 "custom" Noun-ASF
A custom or habit that people are used to, like a usual practice, as in John 18:39 and 1 Corinthians 11:16. It means a usual way of doing things. This word is about tradition and routine.
Definition: συνήθεια, -ας, ἡ (ἦθος), [in LXX: 4Ma.2:12 4Mac 6:13 4Mac 13:22 4Mac 13:27 * ;] __1 1 intimacy. __2. habit, custom: Jhn.18:39, 1Co.11:16; with genitive obj. (cf. Æschin., 23, 37, and see MM, xxiv), habitual use, force of habit with respect to, 1Co.8:7.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: custom See also: 1 Corinthians 11:16; John 18:39.
ουκ ou G3756 "no" Particle-N
This is a strong 'no', used to deny something completely. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 13:29 and John 1:21. It is a negative answer to a question.
Definition: οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); __1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. __2. Most frequently negativing a verb or other word, Mat.1:25 10:26, 38, Mrk.3:25 9:37, Jhn.8:29, Act.7:5, Rom.1:16, Php.3:3, al.; in litotes, οὐκ ὀλίγοι (i.e. very many), Act.17:4, al.; οὐκ ἄσημος, Act.21:39; πᾶς . . . οὐ, with verb, (like Heb. כֹּל . . . לֹא), no, none, Mat.24:22, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:37, Eph.5:5, al.; in disjunctive statements, οὐκ . . . ἀλλά, Luk.8:52 Jhn.1:33 Rom.8:2o, al.; with 2 of person(s) fut. (like Heb. לֹא, with impf.), as emphatic prohibition, Mat.4:7, Luk.4:12, Rom.7:7, al. __3. With another negative, __(a) strengthening the negation: Mrk.5:37, Jhn.8:15 12:19, Act.8:39, al.; __(b) making an affirmative: Act.4:20, 1Co.12:15. __4. With other particles: οὐ μή (see: μή); οὐ μηκέτι, Mat.21:19; with μή interrog., Rom.10:18, 1Co.9:4, 5 11:22. __5. Interrogative, expecting an affirmative answer (Lat. nonne): Mat.6:26, Mrk.4:21, Luk.11:40, Jhn.4:35, Rom.9:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1410 NT verses. KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but See also: 1 Corinthians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 1 Peter 1:8.
εχομεν echō G2192 "to have/be" Verb-PAI-1P
This Greek word means to have or hold something, like a possession or ability. It is used in many ways, such as having power or being with someone. The Bible uses it in Revelation 5:8 and 14:6.
Definition: ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. __I. Trans.; __1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; __(a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; __(b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; __(with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; __(d) to hold fast, keep: Luk.19:20; metaphorically, of the mind and conduct, Mrk.16:8 (cf. Job.21:6, Isa.13:8; Deiss., BS, 293; Field, Notes, 44f.), Jhn.14:21, Rom.1:28, 1Ti.3:9, 2Ti.1:13, Rev.6:9, al.; __(e) to involve: Heb.10:35 (LXX), Jas.1:4, 1Jn.4:18; (f) = Lat. habere (Bl., §34, 5; 73, 5), to hold, consider: with accusative and predic. ptcp., Luk.14:18; with accusative, before ὡς, Mat.14:5; εἰς (Hebraism), Mat.21:46; on (Bl., §70, 2), Mrk.11:32. __2. to have, possess; __(a) in general, with accusative of thing(s): Mat.19:22, Mrk.10:22, Luk.12:19, Jhn.10:16, 1Co.11:22, al.; of wealth or poverty, absol., ἔχειν (neg. οὐκ, μή), Mat.13:12 25:29, 2Co.8:12; ἐκ τ. ἔχειν, according to your means, 2Co.8:11; __(b) of relationship, association, and: πατέρα, Jhn.8:41; γυναῖκα (MM, xiv), 1Co.7:2; φίλον, Luk.11:5; βασιλέα, Jhn.19:15; ποιμένα, Mat.9:36; with dupl. accusative, Mat.3:9, al.; __(with) of parts or members: ὦτα, Mat.19:15; μέλη, Rom.12:4; θεμελίους, __(d) with accusative, as periphrasis of verb: μνεῖαν ἔ. (= μεμνῆσθαι), 1Th.3:6; ἀγάπην, Jhn.13:35; γνῶσιν, 1Co.8:1; πεποίθησιν, 2Co.3:4; θλίψιν, Jhn.16:33, etc. (Thayer, see word, I, 2, f., g.); __(e) of duty, necessity, etc.: ἀνάγκην, 1Co.7:37; νόμον, Jhn.19:7; ἐπιταγήν, 1Co.7:25; ἀγῶνα, Php.1:30; κρίμα, 1Ti.5:12; __(f) of complaints and disputes; κατά, with genitive of person(s), Mat.5:23, Mrk.11:25; id. before ὅτι, Rev.2:4, 20; with accusative before πρός, Act.24:19, al.; __(g) with inf., __(α) (cl.) to be able (Field, Notes, 14): Mat.18:25, Mrk.14:8 (sc. ποιῆσαι), Luk.12:4, Act.4:14, al; __(β) of necessity (BL, §69, 4): Luk.12:50, Act.23:17-19 28:19. __II. Intrans. (BL, §53, 1), to be in a certain condition: ἑτοίμως ἔ., with inf., Act.21:13, 2Co.12:14; ἐσχάτως (which see), Mrk.5:23; κακῶς, to be ill, Mat.4:24, al.; καλῶς, Mk 16:[18]; κομψότερον, Jhn.4:52; πῶς, Act.15:36; impers., ἄλλως εἴχει, it is otherwise, 1Ti.5:25; οὕτως, Act.7:1, al.; τὸ νῦν ἔχον, as things now are (Tob.7:11), Act.24:25. __III. Mid., -ομαι, to hold oneself fast, hold on or cling to, be next to: with genitive, τ. ἐχόμενα σωτηρίας, Heb.6:9 (Rendall, in l.); ptcp., ὁ ἐχόμενος, near, next: of place, Mrk.1:38; of time, τ. ἐχομένη (ἡμέρα, expressed or understood), Luk.13:33, Act.20:15 21:26; (σαββάτῳ), Act.13:44. (Cf. ἀν-, προσ-αν-, ἀντ-, ἀπ-, ἐν-, ἐπ-, κατ-, μετ-, παρ-, περι-, προ-, προσ-, συν-, ὑπερ-, ὑπ-έχω.) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 628 NT verses. KJV: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use See also: 1 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 2:12.
ουδε oude G3761 "nor" Conj-N
This word means 'nor' or 'neither', used to connect negative ideas or options, like in Matthew 6:15 and Romans 4:15. It helps to rule out alternatives or emphasize a point.
Definition: οὐδέ, negative particle, related to μηδέ as οὐ to μή. __I. As conjc., and not, also not, neither, nor: Mat.6:15, Luk.16:31, Rom.4:15, al.; οὐ . . . οὐδέ, Mat.5:15 10:24, Mrk.4:22, Luk.6:43, 44, Jhn.6:24, Act.2:27, Rom.2:28, al. (see Bl., §77, 10). __II. As adv., not even: Mat.6:29, Mrk.6:31, Luk.7:9, 1Co.5:1; οὐδὲ εἷς, Act.4:32, Rom.3:10" (LXX) . (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 124 NT verses. KJV: neither (indeed), never, no (more, nor, not), nor (yet), (also, even, then) not (even, so much as), + nothing, so much as See also: 1 Corinthians 2:6; Luke 6:44; 1 Peter 2:22.
αι ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NPF
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
εκκλησιαι ekklēsia G1577 "assembly" Noun-NPF
An assembly refers to a group of people gathered together for a common purpose, like a church or community, as seen in Acts 19:32 and Hebrews 2:12. This term is used to describe both Jewish and Christian communities.
Definition: ἐκκλησία, -ας, ἡ (ἐκ-καλέω), [in LXX chiefly for קָהָל, otherwise for one of its cogn. forms ;] __1. prop., an assembly of citizens regularly convened (in Thuc., ii, 22, opposite to σύλλογος, a concourse): Act.19:32, 39 41. __2. In LXX of the assembly, congregation, community of Israel (Deu.4:10 23:2, al.): Act.7:38, Heb.2:12" (LXX) . __3. NT, esp. of an assembly or company of Christians, a (the) church; __(a) of gatherings for worship: 1Co.11:18 14:19, 34 35; __(b) of local communities: Act.8:3, 1Co.4:17; with name added, Act.8:1, Rom.16:1, 1Th.1:1, al.; pl., Act.15:41, 1Co.7:17; τ. Χριστοῦ, Rom.16:16; τ. Ἀσίας, 1Co.16:19; τ. ἁγίων, 1Co.14:33; εἰπο]ν τ. ἐκκλησίᾳ, Mat.18:17 (but see Hort, Ecclesia, 10); of a house-congregation (DB, i, 431a), Rom.16:5, 1Co.16:19, Col.4:15, Phm 2; __(with) of the whole body of Christians: Mat.16:18, 1Co.12:28, Eph.1:22, Php.3:6, al.; τ. θεοῦ, Act.20:28 (Κυρίου, T, R, mg.), 1Co.15:9, Gal.1:13, 1Ti.3:15; ἐ. προτοτόκων ἀπογεγραμμένων ἐν οὐρανοῖς, Heb.12:23. SYN.: συναγωγή, which see (see Tr., Syn., §i; DB, i, 426; Hort, Ecclesia, esp. 4ff., 107ff.; Hamilton, People of God, ii, 37ff.; reff. s.vv. "Church," "Congregation," in DB and DCG; Cremer, 332). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 112 NT verses. KJV: assembly, church See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 15:41; Hebrews 2:12.
του ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
θεου theos G2316 "God" Noun-GSM
This word simply means God, referring to the one true deity. It is used throughout the New Testament, including in Matthew 27:46 and Acts 14:11, to describe the supreme being and creator of the universe.
Definition: θεός, -οῦ, ὁ, ἡ (Act.19:37 only; see M, Pr., 60, 244), late voc., θεέ (Mat.27:46; cf. Deu.3:24, al.), [in LXX chiefly for אֱלֹהִים, also for אֵל and other cognate forms, יהוה, etc. ;] a god or deity, God. __1. In polytheistic sense, a god or deity: Act.28:6, 1Co.8:4, 2Th.2:4, al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26, Gal.4:8, al. __2. Of the one true God; __(a) anarthrous: Mat.6:24, Luk.20:38, al.; esp. with prep. (Kühner 3, iii, 605), ἀπὸ θ., Jhn.3:2; ἐκ, Act.5:39, 2Co.5:1, Php.3:9; ὑπό, Rom.13:1; παρὰ θεοῦ, Jhn.1:6; παρὰ θεῷ, 2Th.1:6, 1Pe.2:4; κατὰ θεόν, Rom.8:27, 2Co.7:9, 10; also when in genitive dependent on an anarth. noun (Bl., §46, 6), Mat.27:43, Luk.3:2, Rom.1:17, 1Th.2:13; as pred., Lk 20:38, Jhn.1:1, and when the nature and character rather than the person of God is meant, Act.5:29, Gal.2:6, al. (M, Th., 14); __(b) more freq., with art.: Mat.1:23, Mrk.2:7, al. mult.; with prep., ἀπὸ τ. θ., Luk.1:26; ἐκ, Jhn.8:42, al.; παρὰ τοῦ θ., Jhn.8:40; π. τῷ θ., Rom.9:14; ἐν, Col.3:3; ἐπὶ τῷ θ., Luk.1:47; ἐπὶ τὸν θ., Act.15:19; εἰς τ. θ., Act.24:15; πρὸς τ. θ., Jhn.1:2; with genitive of person(s), Mat.22:32, Mrk.12:26, 27, Luk.20:37, Jhn.20:17, al.; ὁ θ. μου, Rom.1:8, Php 1:3, al.; ὁ θ. καὶ πατήρ κ. τ. λ., Rom.15:6, Eph.1:3, Phi 4:20, al.; with genitive of thing(s), Rom.15:5, 13, 33, 2Co.1:3, 1Th.5:23; τὰ τ. θεοῦ, Mat.16:23, Mrk.12:17, 1Co.2:11; τὰ πρὸς τὸν θ., Rom.15:17, Heb.2:17 5:1; τ. θεῷ, as a superl. (LXX, Jos.3:3), Act.7:20, 2Co.10:4; Hebraistically, of judges (Psa.81(82):6), Jhn.10:34" (LXX), 35. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1170 NT verses. KJV: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 John 4:2; 1 Peter 1:2.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 11:16

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Corinthians 7:17 Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches.
2 1 Timothy 6:3–4 If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,
3 1 Thessalonians 2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews,
4 Acts 21:24 Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law.
5 1 Corinthians 14:33–34 For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints. Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.
6 Acts 21:21 But they are under the impression that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe our customs.
7 1 Corinthians 16:1 Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia:

1 Corinthians 11:16 Summary

In 1 Corinthians 11:16, the apostle Paul is saying that the practice of having no other custom regarding head coverings is not just limited to the Corinthian church, but is also practiced by other churches of God. This means that the church should strive for unity and consistency in their practices, as seen in Ephesians 4:3-6. Paul is emphasizing that this practice is based on the natural order of things, as described in 1 Corinthians 11:14-15, and is not just a local custom. By following this practice, we can demonstrate our respect for God's order and our commitment to unity with other believers, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 and Colossians 3:12-17.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main point of 1 Corinthians 11:16?

The main point of 1 Corinthians 11:16 is that the apostle Paul is stating that the practice of having no other custom regarding head coverings is not just limited to the Corinthian church, but is also practiced by other churches of God, as seen in 1 Corinthians 11:16, and is in line with the natural order of things as described in 1 Corinthians 11:14-15.

Is Paul saying that the churches of God have a uniform practice?

Yes, Paul is saying that the churches of God have a uniform practice regarding head coverings, and that this practice is based on the natural order of things and is not just a local custom, as supported by 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 and 1 Timothy 2:12-13.

What is the significance of Paul's statement that 'we have no other practice'?

Paul's statement that 'we have no other practice' emphasizes that the apostles and the churches of God are united in their understanding and practice regarding head coverings, and that this practice is not something that is open to debate or variation, as seen in 1 Corinthians 11:16 and supported by Ephesians 4:3-6.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?

This verse is a conclusion to the discussion on head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, and serves as a transition to the next topic of church gatherings and divisions, as seen in 1 Corinthians 11:17-18, and is also related to the broader theme of unity and order in the church, as described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 and Ephesians 4:1-16.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I may be disputing or questioning the clear teachings of Scripture, and how can I align myself with God's Word?
  2. In what ways can I demonstrate unity with other believers, even when we may have differing opinions or customs, as seen in 1 Corinthians 11:16 and Ephesians 4:3-6?
  3. How can I ensure that my practices and traditions are based on the teachings of Scripture, rather than just following cultural or personal preferences, as warned against in Colossians 2:20-23?
  4. What are some ways that I can show respect and deference to the churches of God, and to the apostolic teachings, as described in 1 Corinthians 11:16 and 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 11:16

But if any man seem to be contentious,.... That is, if anyone will not be satisfied with reasons given, for men's praying and prophesying with their heads uncovered, and women's praying and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:16

But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. A summary by appeal to the universal custom of the churches.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:16

If any man seem to be contentious; if any man hath a mind to quarrel out of a love to show his wit in discoursing what may be said on the other side, or out of a desire to hold up a party, and contradict us. We have no such custom, of women’ s praying or prophesying with their heads uncovered, or men’ s praying or prophesying with their heads covered; or we have no such custom of contending for these little frivolous things; neither any of the churches of God; and good Christians, in their practices, ought, in things of this nature, to have an eye and regard to the custom of their own church, and also of other Christian churches. Thus the apostle closeth this discourse, and proceedeth in the next verses to tax other abuses which were crept into this famous church.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:16

16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. Ver. 16. Seem to be contentious] A doctore glorioso, et pastore contentioso, et inutilibus questionibus, liberet Ecclesiam suam Domiuus, said Luther. From a vain-glorious doctor, from a contentious pastor, and from endless and needless controversies, the good Lord deliver his Church. The word rendered "seem," signifieth, "is pleased to be, desires and hath a will to be, yea, boasts and prides himself in it," δοκειδοκησισοφος. This is a foul fault in any, but especially in ministers; who must see (saith Luther) that those three dogs follow them not into the pulpit, pride, covetousness, and contentiousness. A quarrelsome person is like a cock of the kind, ever bloody with the blood of others and himself; and divisions are Satan’ s gun powder plot to blow up religion. We have no such custom] viz. To strive about trifles, but to submit to our teachers, Hebrews 13:17. It is a vile thing, saith Bifield, to vex our ministers by our obstinace; yea, though they were not able to make so full demonstration, yet when they reprove such things, out of a spiritual jealousy and fear that they corrupt the people’ s hearts, they are to be heard and obeyed.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:16

(16) But if any man seem to be contentious.—The argument, and the appeal to their own good sense having been completed, the Apostle now adds that if, after all, some one continues to argue the matter captiously, and is not satisfied with the reason given, the answer to such a one must be simply—We, the Apostles and the churches of God, have no such custom as that women should pray and teach with uncovered head. It has been suggested that the word “custom” refers, not to the uncovering the head, but to the “contention” just mentioned. But the former interpretation seems more natural; and the Apostle’s object here is, not so much to merely censure the contentious spirit, as to show how such an objector must be dealt with. It is noticeable that the appeal is made to the practice of the churches (plural), not the Church. Thus it is not the authority of the Church as such that is quoted, but it is the uniformity of practice in the several Christian churches that is appealed to. The Church in Corinth has no right to become exceptional. It may be well to make two general remarks on the scope and bearing of this remarkable passage. 1. As St. Paul taught regarding Slavery (1 Corinthians 7:21) that the object of Christianity was not to suddenly efface existing political arrangements, so he teaches here that Christianity did not seek to obliterate these social distinctions which were universally recognised. We know now how mighty an instrument Christ’s Religion has been in elevating the social condition of woman, but this has been accomplished by gradually leavening the world with Christian principle, and not by sudden external revolution. The arguments and illustrations which the Apostle here employs have a more abiding and a wider application than the particular case to which he applied them. They have been written “for our learning” as well as for the instruction of those to whom they were originally addressed. And the lesson which they teach us is, that Christianity did not come to unsex woman, but to raise, dignify, and ennoble her as woman—to abolish for ever her real wrongs, but not to yield to a revolutionary clamour for imaginary rights. Old and New Testament alike emphasise the truth that (as has been quaintly and truly said) “woman was not made from man’s head to be his ruler, nor from his feet to be his slave, but from his side to be his equal, and from beneath his strong arm to demand his protection.” 2. The influence of St. Paul’s instruction as to women not uncovering their heads in public worship has lasted long after the necessity for that particular expression of her relationship to man has passed away. While, in succeeding ages, again and again, some have forgotten the principles of the teaching, which are eternal, the particular application of them, which was only temporary, has been continuously and universally observed.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:16

Verse 16. But if any man seem to be contentious] Ειδετιςδοκειφιλονεικοςειναι· If any person sets himself up as a wrangler-puts himself forward as a defender of such points, that a woman may pray or teach with her head uncovered, and that a man may, without reproach, have long hair; let him know that we have no such custom as either, nor are they sanctioned by any of the Churches of God, whether among the Jews or the Gentiles. We have already seen that the verb δοκειν, which we translate to seem, generally strengthens and increases the sense. From the attention that the apostle has paid to the subject of veils and hair, it is evident that it must have occasioned considerable disturbance in the Church of Corinth. They have produced evil effects in much later times.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 11:16

16. But if any man seem to be contentious] Some commentators refer these words to what follows; but it would seem best to apply them to what has gone before. The Apostle would deprecate further argument, and appeal to the custom of the Churches as decisive on a point of this kind. See note on ch. 1 Corinthians 14:33.we have no such custom, neither the churches of God] The word custom has been interpreted (1) as referring to contention, “it is not our custom to be contentious,” or (3) to the practice of permitting women to appear unveiled at the services of the Church. The latter yields the best sense. This appeal to the Churches must not be understood to imply that all Churches ought in all respects to have the same ritual. But in a matter such as this, involving the position of women in Christian society, it were far wiser for the Corinthian Church to follow the universal practice of Christendom.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 11:16

But if any man seem to be contentious - The sense of this passage is probably this: “If any man, any teacher, or others, “is disposed” to be strenuous about this, or to make it a matter of

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:16

16. Contentious—The whole question had, it seems, been a subject of Corinthian debate. Men, perhaps, maintained, that according to Jewish and Roman custom their heads should be uncovered in worship.

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 11:16

SermonDescription
Zac Poonen Coming Out of Babylon by Zac Poonen This sermon emphasizes the need for a pure and holy church, contrasting it with the corrupt system of Babylon. It highlights the dangers of backsliding, divisions, politics, money-
Tom Chaplin (The Head Covering) 09 - 1 Corinthians 11:16 and Answers to the Cultural Argument by Tom Chaplin In this sermon, the preacher discusses the history of creation and the analogies between the relationships of God to Christ, Christ to man, and man to woman. He argues that these r
Ron Bailey Church Live Re-Visited: Session Three - Part 1 by Ron Bailey This sermon delves into three main sections: reference points, judgment, and labor with rewards, focusing on 1 Corinthians chapters 3 and 4. It explores the different ways people l
Watchman Nee The Churches Founded by the Apostles by Watchman Nee Watchman Nee emphasizes the distinction between the universal Church and local churches, explaining that while the Church is one body, the apostles established separate churches ba
Paul Washer Biblical Courtship Session #5 - God's Purpose for Marriage by Paul Washer In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of wanting what God wants and being conformed to the image of Christ. He explains that conformity to Christ is a lifelong pro
David Guzik (2 Samuel) Repentance and Restoration by David Guzik In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of condemning sin in oneself. He emphasizes the importance of being real before God and not hiding or covering up one's sins. The sp
John Piper Your Job as Ministry by John Piper In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that our current job is God's assignment for us, regardless of how we got there. He highlights the importance of obedience to Jesus in our wo

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