All to the Glory of God 1 Corinthians 10:32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, The second rule is the welfare of our fellow men. We should give no offense or occasion for stumbling, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God. Here Paul divides all mankind into three classes. The Jews, of course, are the nation of Israel. The Greeks are the unconverted Gentiles, whereas the church of God includes all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, whether of Jewish or Gentile stock. In one sense we are bound to offend others and excite their wrath if we faithfully witness to them. However, that is not what is spoken of here. Rather, the apostle is thinking of needless offense. He is cautioning us against using our legitimate rights in such a way as to stumble others. 1 Corinthians 10:33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Paul can honestly say that he seeks to please all men in all things, not seeking his own profit, but the profit of many. How many of us are leaving this way? 1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. Verse 1 of chapter 11 probably goes better with chapter 10. Paul had just been speaking of how he tried to gauge all his actions in the light of their effect on others. Now he tells the Corinthians to imitate him, just as he also copied Christ. He renounced personal advantages and rights in order to help those about him. The Corinthians should do likewise, and not selfishly parade their freedoms in such a way as to hinder the gospel of Christ or offend the weak brother. Concerning Women’s Head-Coverings Introduction Verses 2–16 of chapter 11 are devoted to the subject of women’s head-coverings. The remaining verses deal with abuses in connection with the Lord’s Supper (vv. 17–34). The first section of the chapter has been much disputed. Some think that the instruction given here was applicable only to Paul’s day. Some even go so far as to contend that these verses reflect Paul’s prejudice against women, since he was a bachelor! Still others simply accept the teaching of this portion, seeking to obey its precepts even if they do not understand them all. 1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. The apostle first of all commends the Corinthians for the way in which they remembered him in all things, and held fast the traditions just as he had delivered them. Traditions refer not to habits and practices that have arisen in the church down through the years, but rather, in this case, to the inspired instructions of the Apostle Paul. 1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Paul now introduces the subject of women’s head coverings. Behind his instruction is the fact that every ordered society is built on two pillars—authority and subjection to that authority. It is impossible to have a well-functioning community where these two principles are not observed. Paul mentions three great relationships involving authority and subjection. First, the head of every man is Christ; Christ is Lord and man is subject to Him. Secondly, the head of woman is man; the place of headship was given to the man, and the woman is under his authority. Third, the head of Christ is God; even in the Godhead, One Person has the place of rule and Another takes the place of willing subordination. These examples of headship and submission were designed by God Himself and are fundamental in His arrangement of the universe. At the outset it should be emphasized that subjection does not mean inferiority. Christ is subject to God the Father but He is not inferior to Him. Neither is woman inferior to man, though she is subordinate to him. 1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. Lit. “having down from head,” is probably a reference to men wearing a head covering, which seems to have been a local custom. Jews began wearing head coverings during the fourth century a.d., although some may already have been wearing them in NT times. Apparently, Corinthian men were doing the same, and Paul informs them that it is a disgrace. Paul is not stating a universal law from God, but acknowledging a local custom, which did reflect divine principle.