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1 Corinthians 11:16
Verse
Context
Sermons
Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
But if any man seem to be contentious - Ει δε τις δοκει φιλονεικος ειναι· 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.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
A summary close to the argument by appeal to the universal custom of the churches. if any . . . seem--The Greek also means "thinks" (fit) (compare Mat 3:9). If any man chooses (still after all my arguments) to be contentious. If any be contentious and thinks himself right in being so. A reproof of the Corinthians' self-sufficiency and disputatiousness (Co1 1:20). we--apostles: or we of the Jewish nation, from whom ye have received the Gospel, and whose usages in all that is good ye ought to follow: Jewish women veiled themselves when in public, according to TERTULLIAN [ESTIUS]. The former explanation is best, as the Jews are not referred to in the context: but he often refers to himself and his fellow apostles, by the expression, "we--us" (Co1 4:9-10). no such custom--as that of women praying uncovered. Not as CHRYSOSTOM, "that of being contentious." The Greek term implies a usage, rather than a mental habit (Joh 18:39). The usage of true "churches (plural: not, as Rome uses it, 'the Church,' as an abstract entity; but 'the churches,' as a number of independent witnesses) of God" (the churches which God Himself recognizes), is a valid argument in the case of external rites, especially, negatively, for example, Such rites were not received among them, therefore, ought not to be admitted among us: but in questions of doctrine, or the essentials of worship, the argument is not valid [SCLATER] (Co1 7:17; Co1 14:33). neither--nor yet. Catholic usage is not an infallible test of truth, but a general test of decency.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Now in this that I declare unto you,.... The Syriac version reads, "this is what I command"; which some refer to what he had been discoursing of, adding to his arguments, and the examples of the church, his own orders and command, that men should worship God publicly, uncovered, and women covered; though it seems rather to respect what follows, what the apostle was about to declare unto them; concerning which he says, I praise you not; as he did in Co1 11:2 that they were mindful of him, remembered his doctrines, and kept the ordinances in the manner he had delivered them to them: and it should seem by this, that the greater part of them were not to be blamed, though some few were, for their irregular and indecent appearance in public worship, men with a covering on their heads, and women without one; but in what he was about to say, he could not praise them at all: that you come together; to the house of God, to pray unto him, to sing his praises, to hear his word, and attend his ordinances, particularly the Lord's supper: not for the better; for edification and instruction, for the quickening and comforting of your souls; that you may grow in grace and knowledge, become more holy, zealous, fruitful, and useful: but for the worse; to indulge luxury and intemperance, to encourage heresies, schisms, and divisions, and so grow more carnal, scandalous, and useless.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
11:16 if anyone wants to argue about this: Some in the cosmopolitan Corinthian church did not agree with Paul. • Paul’s final argument is that the use of a head covering was an established custom of the church. Most contemporary interpreters take this verse to mean that the custom was culturally based.
1 Corinthians 11:16
Roles in Worship
15but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.16If anyone is inclined to dispute this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Coming Out of Babylon
By Zac Poonen1.5K58:25MAL 1:101CO 11:16JAS 4:4REV 17:5REV 18:4REV 19:2
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-driven motives, and the misuse of spiritual gifts in churches. The call to 'Come out of Babylon' is emphasized, urging God's people to separate from worldly influences and seek a genuine, spirit-led relationship with Christ. The ultimate goal is to be part of a pure virgin church, devoted to Christ and free from the trappings of the world.
(The Head Covering) 09 - 1 Corinthians 11:16 and Answers to the Cultural Argument
By Tom Chaplin98254:26Head CoveringGEN 1:27GEN 2:24MAT 5:18MAT 19:11CO 11:16In 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 relationships have not changed and are still applicable today. The preacher also addresses the idea of being convinced and poses the question of what if someone still has doubts. He then introduces a theologian named R.C. and suggests that his teachings will be the subject of the sermon. The preacher concludes by asking for God's guidance and emphasizing the importance of true spiritual thoughts.
Church Live Re-Visited: Session Three - Part 1
By Ron Bailey80231:30ROM 1:31CO 3:31CO 4:81CO 4:171CO 6:31CO 7:171CO 11:16EPH 3:10
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 live: soulish, spiritish, and fleshish, drawing parallels from Adam's naming of animals to illustrate character. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living from the spirit rather than the self, highlighting the chaos that self-centeredness can bring to the church. It also touches on the significance of perspectives, the role of angels in observing human lives, and the interdependence of churches in the body of Christ.
The Churches Founded by the Apostles
By Watchman Nee0Local vs. Universal ChurchUnity in the ChurchMAT 16:18MAT 18:17ACT 14:231CO 1:21CO 4:171CO 10:321CO 11:161CO 16:11TH 2:14REV 2:1Watchman Nee emphasizes the distinction between the universal Church and local churches, explaining that while the Church is one body, the apostles established separate churches based on locality. He clarifies that the term 'church' refers to the assembly of believers in a specific place, and that the division into local churches is divinely ordained to reflect the physical gathering of believers. Nee warns against the dangers of sectarianism and the importance of maintaining the local character of churches, asserting that each church should be independent yet spiritually connected to others. He concludes that the only scriptural basis for church division is geographical locality, and that true unity in Christ transcends physical boundaries.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
But if any man seem to be contentious - Ει δε τις δοκει φιλονεικος ειναι· 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.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
A summary close to the argument by appeal to the universal custom of the churches. if any . . . seem--The Greek also means "thinks" (fit) (compare Mat 3:9). If any man chooses (still after all my arguments) to be contentious. If any be contentious and thinks himself right in being so. A reproof of the Corinthians' self-sufficiency and disputatiousness (Co1 1:20). we--apostles: or we of the Jewish nation, from whom ye have received the Gospel, and whose usages in all that is good ye ought to follow: Jewish women veiled themselves when in public, according to TERTULLIAN [ESTIUS]. The former explanation is best, as the Jews are not referred to in the context: but he often refers to himself and his fellow apostles, by the expression, "we--us" (Co1 4:9-10). no such custom--as that of women praying uncovered. Not as CHRYSOSTOM, "that of being contentious." The Greek term implies a usage, rather than a mental habit (Joh 18:39). The usage of true "churches (plural: not, as Rome uses it, 'the Church,' as an abstract entity; but 'the churches,' as a number of independent witnesses) of God" (the churches which God Himself recognizes), is a valid argument in the case of external rites, especially, negatively, for example, Such rites were not received among them, therefore, ought not to be admitted among us: but in questions of doctrine, or the essentials of worship, the argument is not valid [SCLATER] (Co1 7:17; Co1 14:33). neither--nor yet. Catholic usage is not an infallible test of truth, but a general test of decency.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Now in this that I declare unto you,.... The Syriac version reads, "this is what I command"; which some refer to what he had been discoursing of, adding to his arguments, and the examples of the church, his own orders and command, that men should worship God publicly, uncovered, and women covered; though it seems rather to respect what follows, what the apostle was about to declare unto them; concerning which he says, I praise you not; as he did in Co1 11:2 that they were mindful of him, remembered his doctrines, and kept the ordinances in the manner he had delivered them to them: and it should seem by this, that the greater part of them were not to be blamed, though some few were, for their irregular and indecent appearance in public worship, men with a covering on their heads, and women without one; but in what he was about to say, he could not praise them at all: that you come together; to the house of God, to pray unto him, to sing his praises, to hear his word, and attend his ordinances, particularly the Lord's supper: not for the better; for edification and instruction, for the quickening and comforting of your souls; that you may grow in grace and knowledge, become more holy, zealous, fruitful, and useful: but for the worse; to indulge luxury and intemperance, to encourage heresies, schisms, and divisions, and so grow more carnal, scandalous, and useless.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
11:16 if anyone wants to argue about this: Some in the cosmopolitan Corinthian church did not agree with Paul. • Paul’s final argument is that the use of a head covering was an established custom of the church. Most contemporary interpreters take this verse to mean that the custom was culturally based.