11 Unity In Worship

Introduction

Cultural norms on headwear – men should not wear hats indoors. Some traditions prescribe bonnets or other head covers for women – some at church, some all the time. The teaching from this first passage sounds like it is necessary to show women are under the authority of men or husbands. I’ve often seen that they are anything but submissive or subject to men.

In Indonesia, men wear a specific hat that was the national headgear for men – black and round sits right on top with no brim. Women wear the jilbab or hijab covering their whole head, all their hair, and sometimes their face.

Symbols of authority in worship service – some traditions wear robes, vestments, collars, etc.

Chapters 11-14 deal with various aspects of worship and the body. Begins with 11 Head and Body, 12 Parts of the body, 13 Purpose, 14 Function and Order

Honoring Our Head

Order in worship regarding leadership and authority.

1 Corinthians 11:2–15 NIV

2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. 3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. 7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.

Paul commended the church in this section for keeping the tradition he taught but they need to maintain appropriate respect for authority in their worship gatherings.

Honoring Headship – this comes across as a convoluted instruction difficult to understand or practice. But culturally is saying that women are regarded as less than and subjected to men. The two are not independent of each other. Woman came from man and men come from women. The two need each other. The coverings and uncoverings are cultural signs of authority.

What is clear here is that both men and women are prophesying and praying in the public worship gatherings. Important is the recognition of authority as coming from God Himself (v12). Their dress and demeanor must show modesty and respect appropriate for their cultural setting, and that they are under the authority of God. (not really seeming to mean women subjected to men but both equally respecting the authority of God when they prophesy and pray)

1 Corinthians 11:16 NIV

16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.

V16 is important here to say that if following this advice still generates contention/division work it out equitably among you because this is not an issue other places. There is no set standard.

(man’s glory is God’s. mankind being made in the image of God brings him glory. a woman’s glory is man’s. woman made from man maybe the more beautiful or attractive?)

Caring for the Body

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Order in worship regarding eating and the Lord’s supper

1 Corinthians 11:17–19 NIV

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.

Paul does not commend them in their behavior in this issue which amounts to abuses. It seems they were using this as a way to identify the status of believers rather than identifying with Christ and His sacrifice.

Divisions among you = groups, cliques. V19 appears to be sarcasm – obviously you need to show you are different.

1 Corinthians 11:20–22 NIV

20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!

20-22 you are not eating the Lord’s Supper, you are eating your own supper. At least, some of you but others are going hungry. Shaming the poor.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NIV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

23-26 the actual ritual/ceremony – give thanks, break bread. Body in remembrance. Cup new covenant in blood remembrance. Proclaims the Lord’s death until he returns.

This is a proclaiming to each other and to others outside the church. Repeating and remembering what Jesus did and its significance and our participation (as in c10:16-17 break bread is sharing in the body because one bread = one body)

1 Corinthians 11:27–32 NIV

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

27-32 unworthy manner means in the way you do it, not whether you are worthy to do it. So, doing disrespect as mentioned not respecting others and not respecting the purpose of remembering.

Examine themselves discerning the body of Christ. Can refer both to making sure you are in faith part of the body (2 Corinthians 13:5), but also could mean outwardly recognizing the physical body of Christ is the assembly (again c10:16-17 as above).

Physical judgment can come from this sin. Thankfully, the judgment helps correct us so we are not condemned with the rest of the world.

1 Corinthians 11:33–34 NIV

33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.

33-34 Conclusion = all eat together at one time so as not to incur judgment.

Main point = you’re doing it for the wrong reason and causing more harm than good. Share with all and recognize the unity of the body. You are partaking in the body of Christ, recognize the full body.

Conclusion

Honoring our Head includes recognizing the authority of Jesus Christ over His body/church. It also includes recognizing and respecting those He has placed in leadership, who prophesy/proclaim His message, and who lead in worship through prayer and song.

Caring for the body means doing away with cliques and division, coming together with all the members in unity and celebrating the body and blood of Jesus together.

Big Idea: When gathering to worship we honor our Head and care for the whole body.

What About You?