1 Corinthians 11:8

1 Corinthians 11:8 says, For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Paul here was speaking about the creation of men and women.  Man, Adam, was created from the dust of the earth, and woman, Eve, from the rib of the man.  Still, the woman was not created to serve the man, but to be a helpmate, or completion of man.  None of the other animals were capable of filling this role.  The fact that the man was created first in no way makes the woman less in the eyes of God.  When we start to speak about the role of men and women, we must understand it as they are themselves under the leadership of God.  We cannot expect those who do not believe in Christ as Savior and Lord to live by God's standards.  Verse nine adds, Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.  This is really in my opinion a continuation of what I was just discussing.  When we read the creation account in Genesis, we do see that woman was created out of man, but not to be his servant, but to be his companion.  The key will always be that both are under the leadership of God.  When God's will comes first, both will be in agreement as to how they can best serve and bring glory to God.  Verse ten continues, For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.  Matthew Henry sees this as having her head covered in public, but I believe it means that she should do nothing that would dishonor God and His angels.  Verse eleven states, Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.  I believe that Paul was teaching that both men and women need each other, but they need to both be following God's will in the relationship.  Men and women were created for different purposes in the world, but they were both created to follow God's will and to uplift each other.  Verse twelve adds, For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.  Since creation, where woman was created out of man, man has been born of woman, but as Paul reminds us, both are from God, as are all things. Verse thirteen continues, Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Again, I believe that Paul was referring to the customs of that day, but if we truly believe that God is dishonored by the way we dress, then we should change the way we dress. Verse fourteen says, Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?  Paul lived in the same time as Jesus for part of his life, and he said it was a shame for a man to have long hair.  Yet, we always see Jesus portrayed as having very long hair.  Now, is this an accurate picture, or does it really matter? We are not called to be like Jesus physically, but spiritually.  Verse fifteen adds, But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.  Paul says a woman should have long hair.  We often get into disputes about men having long hair, but seldom apply the same dispute to women having short hair.  I believe we must interpret what Paul was saying to mean that whatever we do must be done for the glory of God and not for our own vanity.  Verse sixteen continues, But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.  I believe that Paul was saying that if a person disagreed with the way that custom taught that they should dress, there was no rule in the church that they had to comply.  The way we dress in church has changed even in my lifetime.  Women used to always wear dresses and men suits and ties if they had them, especially the preachers.  Now, it seems that wearing a tie is almost an oddity.  Again, it isn't what we wear that is important, but that we follow God in all things.  As long as men and women are truly following God, there will be little room for contention in the relationship between the two.  God must be in charge of both, and He will always lead them to unity through Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1

1 Corinthians 11:1 says, Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.  I believe that Paul was asking those early believers to follow his example of living by faith.  He had already said that they were not to be divided by considering being led to Christ by one person was more important than being led to Christ by another.  I don't believe he was saying they were to put their faith in Paul, but they were to follow his example of living faithful to Christ.  Verse two adds, Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.  Paul had been writing about some of the controversies that existed in the church, but here he praised them for what they were doing correctly.  We need to uplift our fellow Christians when they are doing the right things for God, and not just look for reasons to condemn them for doing things that we view as wrong.  As long as they are truly saved by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, we need to uplift them.  In these next few verses, Paul writes about the relationship between men and women, or more specifically between a husband and wife, under the leadership of God.  Even those who profess to take the Bible literally generally say these verses are not to be taken literally today.  This is also why some claim that Paul looked at women as being less important, or under the power or authority of men.  We must remember though that both men and women were seen as being under the authority of God.  As long as any relationship is under God's authority, then there should be no controversy about how things work out in this world.  Verse three continues, But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.  Paul first pointed to Christ as being the head of the relationship.  If we base the relationship between a man and a woman on anything other than both being under the Lordship of Christ, we create unnecessary problems. Verse four states, Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.  Paul was addressing some of the views about the way people were to dress in that day.  He said for a man to pray or prophecy with his head covered dishonored God.  We can take this verse literally or we can view it as Paul addressing the view of the world in that day.  I personally do not believe that we need to be concerned with the way people dress, as long as it does not distract from our witness for Christ.  We know that in parts of the world today the way that people dress, especially the women, is very important to some religions.  We need to remember that Paul was addressing things that might interfere with our witness for Christ, and not a dress code for Christians.  Verse five adds, But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.  Paul said that if a woman prayed or prophesied with her head uncovered, she was attempting to take the position of a man. We must acknowledge that God does give a man and a woman differing roles in their relationship to each other under the leadership of Christ.  Ultimately, the responsibility of the spiritual wellbeing of the family falls on the man.  He is not to be a dictator, but an obedient servant of Christ.  When the relationship is truly placed under the control of Christ, there will be no disputes about leadership.  Christ is the leader of the Christian home.  Verse six continues, For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.  Now, do we take this literally to still apply today, or do we take it as a cultural custom of that day?  Some religions today still make a woman having her head, and sometimes her face, covered in public a requirement, but I don't really believe that is what God expects.  I do believe that he expects both men and women to dress appropriately, but I personally do not believe we apply this teaching literally.  I believe Paul made these statements based on the way the world would view the man and woman.  They were to do nothing to dishonor each other or God.  Verse seven concludes, For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.  Here, we could take the literal interpretation and say that man is somehow closer to God than a woman can ever be, but when we look at the teachings of the whole Bible, we know that with God there is no male or female when it comes to a relationship with Him.

1 Corinthians 10:22

1 Corinthians 10:22 says, Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?  I believe that Paul is warning them and us against doing anything that would imply that we were stronger than God.  If we begin to do things that are not consistent with the teachings of the Bible, this is what we are actually implying.  We must follow God in all that we do, and not decide that we know best how to live life on our own.  Verse twenty-three adds, All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.  I believe that Paul was saying that nothing in this world could truly come between him and Christ as his Savior and Lord, but that not all things that he was free to do were expedient.  Paul did not want his freedom from the power of the things of the world to hinder his witness.  We today need to be the same way.  Some things, in and of the world, are harmless, but if they affect our witness for Christ, we should avoid them.  Verse twenty-four continues, Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.  I don't believe Paul was telling us to covet what someone else has, but instead that we are to put their welfare first.  We are to live life in such a manner that we in no way hinder anyone from coming to Christ.  We can never have a me first mentality, but must always put God first.  Verse twenty-five states, Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:  Paul was again referring to meat sacrificed to idols.  If that meat was being sold in the marketplace Christians did not need to ask about it origins.  It was no different than any other meat.  Still, if it were to be seen as somehow being charged by having been sacrificed to idols, and to be purchased with that thought or understanding in mind, it could affect a person's witness for Christ.  They were to simply purchase it as meat to eat and not give any credit to its origin as something sacrificed to an idol.  We today know that nothing in this world has any power over our relationship to Christ, but if we in any way give credibility to anything done in name of an idol, it can affect our witness to God.  Verse twenty-six adds, For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.  Paul recognized that everything in the world belongs to God.  Since the fullness of the earth is God's, we as His people have the freedom to enjoy it.  That does not mean we have the freedom to abuse it for our own pleasure though.  Verse twenty-seven continues, If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.  Paul said it was okay to go to a feast with non-believers and eat what they were eating, as long as the origin of the meat wasn't brought up.  There would be no hint of the meat being used in the worship of idols in this case.  Verse twenty-eight says, But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:  Paul said that if the fact that the meat had been sacrificed to an idol was made, then the Christian should not eat it.  I think we can apply that to many things today.  We are commissioned to go into the world, but if those we are witnessing to begin to practice idolatry and invite us to join in, then we need to politely abstain or leave.  We may know that everything belongs to God, but they do not.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?  I believe that Paul was saying that even though our liberty in Christ should not be determined by others, that same liberty should not be used to harm anyone else's chance of accepting Christ.  We must judge our actions not only by what we are free to do spiritually, but also by how that will affect others. Verse thirty continues, For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?  Paul asks if we give thanks to God for the things we partake of, then why should people speak evil of us.  We need to make sure that God is given the glory in all that we do, and then what the world says about us really shouldn't matter. Verse thirty-one states, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.  Again, Paul says that whatever we do should be done for the glory of God.  As long as this is true, then we never have to be concerned about our actions.  Verse thirty-two adds, Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:  I believe Paul was warning us that even though we have no concern about our actions in God's eyes, we still have a responsibility to not cause others to stumble in coming to Christ.  Freedom brings responsibility and not just indulgence.  Verse thirty-three concludes, Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.  Paul said he put the salvation of others ahead of his own knowledge and freedom through Christ.  So should we.

1 Corinthians 10:12

1 Corinthians 10:12 says, Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  I believe Paul was warning against a feeling that we are strong enough to stand spiritually by our own abilities.  If we begin to feel that we don't need God's direction every day and are not satisfied with His provision for us, we set ourselves up for a fall.  We, as followers of Christ, must acknowledge that we can never stand without faith in God.  We can never feel that we have reached a point where we can stand on our faith in our own abilities.  Verse thirteen adds, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  Paul told those at Corinth that they had no temptation that was not common to everyone.  We may be tempted by the things of this world, but this is nothing new.  People have been tempted to rebel against God since the beginning.  Paul also gives the Christians at Corinth an assurance.  If they continued to trust God, He would never allow them to be tempted more than their faith could stand.  When temptation came, He would provide an escape for them.  We need to claim that promise today.  God is with us to deliver us from any temptation if we only put our faith in His guidance.  If we are attempting to stand by our own strength instead of faith in God, we will fail.  God provides the escape from temptation but we must trust in His leadership to escape the temptation.  We are helpless to save ourselves.  Verse fourteen continues, Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.  Paul said that when we were confronted with a temptation to allow any idol to come between God and us, we were to flee it.  There is no room for idols, whatever they might be, in the life of a Christian.  We cannot dabble in things that put anything else ahead of God, whether it be riches, the stars, or anything else.  We are to flee from allowing anything to become an idol in our lives.  Verse fifteen states, I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.   Paul said that as wise men, he encouraged them to judge what he said.  When people proclaim things about God today, we need to judge what they say based on what the Bible teaches.  Even when we do this, we must make sure that what is being taught is consistent with the whole teaching of the Bible and not just certain verses picked out of context. Verse sixteen adds, The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  Paul was speaking of the observance of the Lord's Supper, in which the wine and bread were symbolic of the blood and body of Christ.  These things did not literally become the blood and body of Christ, as some teach, but are merely symbols.  Verse seventeen continues, For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.  Paul said the observance of the Lord's Supper was to unite believers, and not divide them.  Yet, even today the Lord's Supper can divide Christians.  Verse eighteen asks, Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?  I believe that Paul was saying that those who believed in the idols that meat was sacrificed to felt that the meat was transformed somehow by being sacrificed.  For them, it was more than just food to eat.  Verse nineteen adds, What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? Paul said he knew that the idols were nothing, and that things sacrificed to them was in no way any different physically, but that did not mean that they couldn't become a problem to our witness for Christ.  Verse twenty continues, But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.  Paul said anything sacrificed to idols was sacrificed to the devil and he didn't want Christians to partake of the devil.  There was a difference between buying and eating food sacrificed to idols and sitting down at the table by the altar and eating it.  Though neither were changed, the perception was very different.  We may know that certain actions are harmless today, but we must do nothing that could be seen as going against God's teachings.  In verse twenty-one Paul concludes, Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.  We cannot be God's people and continue to follow the ways of the world.  No matter what the situation may be, we must always put the will of God first so that we can be effective witnesses for Him.

1 Corinthians 10:1

1 Corinthians 10:1 says, Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;  Paul said that he didn't want the people to fail to understand that Christ was and is the only way to salvation.  The Jews looked to the Law of Moses to bring them into a right relationship with God, but Paul said that there was more to it than just trying to find justification through the Law.  We today may seek to find God through rituals, but even if we find physical satisfaction, we will not find spiritual happiness and security.  Only by putting our faith in Christ can we find the assurance of salvation.  Verse two adds, And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;  The people who followed Moses were delivered from bondage by passing through the Red Sea, and were protected by a sheltering cloud.  These were physical things that they could look back on as being spiritual gifts from God, but that was not what saved them.   We may view things today as being God's sign of our being right in our spiritual life, but if anything does not come through the gospel of Christ, it cannot save us.  Verse three continues, And did all eat the same spiritual meat;  Paul said that the people following Moses ate of the same spiritual meat.  They looked to Moses to keep them in a right relationship with God, but also to meet their physical needs.  Moses looked to God to provide for them, and gave God the glory.  We need to realize that God still meets our needs today, and always give Him the glory.  Verse four states, And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.  Paul was still speaking of the Israelites in the desert.  He said they all drank from the same spiritual Rock, and that Rock was Jesus.  We may divide the Bible into the Old and New Testament, but God is the same in both.  Jesus Christ did not die just for those who came after Him, but for all people of all time who put their faith in God.  God is not divided nor limited by time.  Paul said in the wilderness that Jesus was with the Israelites spiritually.  God was there to meet their physical needs, but more importantly to meet their spiritual needs.  They only had to have faith in God, as we do today.  Verse five adds, But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.  Paul reminded them that God was not pleased with all those who called themselves his people, because even after deliverance and being sustained in the wilderness, many had their faith overcome by their desire for more.  It would be a sad commentary for Christians today to know that God is not well pleased with us.  Verse six continues, Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Paul told the Christians at Corinth that they should learn from the example of the Israelites in the desert.  God had delivered and would sustain those Christians at Corinth, so the needed to remain obedient to His leadership.  We, as followers of Christ today, need to likewise learn from their example.  We are not to lust after evil things but rest secure in the provisions of God.  Verse seven says, Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.  Paul said not all those brought out of Egypt were faithful to God.  They accepted God's provisions, but then went away to play, or find pleasure in the things of this world.  Verse eight adds, Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.  Sexual temptation was very real in Corinth, with idols to fertility gods being worshipped there.  Paul reminded the Christians at Corinth that they were to avoid the temptation to join in such activity.  We today need to heed the same warning and not let any idol lead us away from God.  Verse nine continues, Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.  I believe that Paul was reminding them that they were to worship God alone through a sincere faith in Him.  Those who still looked to idols even as they professed to be God's people were struck down by serpents.  We today must truly follow God through faith if we are indeed His people.  Verse ten states, Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.  Many of the Israelites in the desert were not satisfied with God's provision for them, and they murmured against God.  Paul warned the Christians at Corinth, and all followers of Christ today, that we should be content with God's provisions in life, and not murmur or complain about God.  The Israelites had food, drink, and even shelter from the heat, but they were not satisfied.  If we today simply have our physical needs met by God, we should never murmur and complain because we don't have more.  Verse eleven adds, Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.  Paul said what happened in the desert was to be an example to Christians, and we should understand the admonition against sin.  This example will remain to the end of the world.  God will never be mocked or even murmured against without a penalty to be paid.  We must live being satisfied with what God blesses us with.

1 Corinthians 9:19

1 Corinthians 9:19 says, For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.  Paul continues to speak about his providing for himself as he preached, then expands it to other areas of his life.  He said materially he was free from all men.  He was indebted to no one in relationship to preaching, but he had made himself a servant to all so that he might reach even more people with the gospel.  Preachers today, whether having their needs totally met by the church or somewhat or totally meeting their own needs, must always feel free to preach the truth of the gospel.  If they become concerned about whether or not the message of the gospel and all that it implies for the life of believers will offend those who they are preaching to, especially if they are relying on them for their income, then they may be tempted to change what God teaches His followers.  Verse twenty adds, And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;  Some might claim that Paul said he was playing a part when he encountered different groups of people.  When he said to the Jew he became as a Jew, I think what he really meant was that he was meeting them on common ground.  He did not dismiss their faith but witnessed to them through their faith.  We do not need to go into the world pretending to be something we are not, but we do need to be able to meet people where they are at spiritually.  We cannot approach everyone the same way.  Paul said he did this so that he could gain, or reach with the gospel, those that were under the law of God as they understood it.  Verse twenty-one continues, To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.   Paul said he approached gentiles, those who did not acknowledge the law of God, differently than he did the Jews.  He again met them where they were at spiritually.  Verse twenty-two states, To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  I believe Paul was saying that he did not come to those who were weak as someone who was superior to them, but as one who was no better than them.  To be all things to all people did not mean that Paul would enter into sinful actions in order to reach people for Christ, but that he would meet them where they were spiritually.  We cannot approach someone who has never heard the gospel the same way we do someone who has grown up hearing it but has not believed. Still, in either case we must reach out to them in such a way that the gospel touches their lives, so that they might be saved.  Verse twenty-three adds, And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Paul was not doing the things he did for his own glory or satisfaction, but for the sake of the gospel.  As followers of Christ today, we must do everything for the sake of spreading the gospel.  Verse twenty-four continues, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.  Paul said in a race that everyone runs, but only one wins, but that we are still to run that we might win.  In earthly terms, all but one lose, but in heavenly terms, all who run the race for the glory of God win.  We cannot expect to be successful in our Christian witness if we never start to witness.  The fact that someone else seems to be more successful should not stop us from witnessing for Christ.  Verse twenty-five says, And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. Paul said that winning in worldly things only brought a corruptible crown, but that the things done for God brought an incorruptible one.  For this reason, we need to put God first in all that we do, not simply for a crown or reward, but because everything we do for God has an everlasting benefit.  Verse twenty-six adds, I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:  I believe Paul was saying that he had assurance in the things he did.  He was actively involved in spreading God's word, and not just shadow boxing on the sidelines.  Verse twenty-seven continues, But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.  Paul said that though he was free to do all things through Christ, he still kept himself under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  When he said that he might be castaway if he didn't, he did not mean that he would lose his salvation, but that he would lose his effectiveness as a witness for God. We cannot allow our witnessing to others to become more important than our own spiritual relationship with God. If we neglect our own spiritual growth, we will become ineffective in proclaiming the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:13

1 Corinthians 9:13 says, Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?  Paul was referring again to God's provisions for those who ministered in the temple.  They lived from the things brought into the temple.  God will never leave His ministers to provide for themselves, but through the church will provide for them, if His people give as they should.  This does not mean that there are not to be bi-vocational preachers, but that it should be their choice.  There are smaller churches that cannot provide for all the needs of ministers, but there are larger churches that could help smaller ones if they chose to. Verse fourteen adds, Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. Paul said that God's plan was for those who preach the gospel to be free to live life free to preach without worrying about providing for material needs.  Verse fifteen continues, But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.  Paul said he didn't write these things so that he would not have to work.  He did not rely on his fellow Christians to provide for him, and said he would rather die than have people claim that he preached for the money.  This he said would void his work.  There are those today who preach the gospel who still choose to work, especially in smaller churches.  This does not mean that the church doesn't have a responsibility to do all they can to help the preacher materially.  Verse sixteen states, For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!  Paul said he was called to preach the gospel, and instead of glorying in preaching, he would suffer from not doing so. It was not a choice, but was his spiritual gift from God.  Anytime we fail to use our spiritual gifts, we should suffer the woe of disobedience, but when we do exercise them, we should not glorify ourselves.  Verse seventeen adds, For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.  Paul said if he were just preaching because he decided to or wanted to, his reward would be what he received materially from doing so.  He said that the spreading of the gospel was against his will, or was not something he just decided to do, but was a calling from God and his reward would be spiritual and everlasting.  We cannot decide that some would make a good preacher and push them in that direction.  There must be a call from God, and then all the glory must go to God.  If we begin to look at man-made qualifications more than a calling from God, then we need to reevaluate our thinking.  Verse eighteen continues, What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.  Paul said that his reward was preaching the gospel without charge so that he didn't abuse his power in the gospel.  If we begin to expect to get rich through the gospel of Christ, then we are misunderstanding the real riches and power of the gospel.  We are never promised that following Christ will make us materially rich, but instead that it will give us a cross, a dying to the things of this world, daily.