A "Hairy" Problem: Order in the Church! I Corinthians 11:2-16

“A Hairy Problem: Order in the Church!”

I Corinthians 11:2-16

Introduction: The editor of a small weekly home town newspaper was struggling with filling all the columns of the paper one particular week, so he had his staff print in one of the columns, without any comment, the Ten Commandments [This was obviously a long time ago!]. Three days after the paper was published, he received a letter saying, “Please cancel my subscription. You are getting too personal!”  One of the risks of preaching through books of the Bible is that occasionally you will come to texts that will run the risk of “getting too personal!”  Here we go again!  I Corinthians 11:2-16 is a challenging passage, and the message at the heart of it may be a bit counter-cultural. There is a lot in this passage that is uncertain, at least to me. Is the passage talking about head coverings? Or is it hair style?  And how much of it is culturally specific to first century Corinth? Is it strictly referring to public worship? Or is the family being highlighted as the background for conduct in the church? I don’t feel that I’ve been able to resolve all of the issues sufficiently well to bridge the two thousand year “chasm” between us and the Corinthian context to know the answers to some of these questions for certain. There are some clues in the text that seem to point either way. Though some questions remain about what was happening “then and there,” I believe we can hear the teaching that God has for us “here and now.” I think we can discern some abiding principles behind Paul’s words, and consider how they apply to the church today. I titled this message “A Hairy Problem: Order in the Church!” For some of us hair is less of a problem than it is for others!  But at the heart of the passage is the question of order in the church.

       Paul transitions in this part of his letter to some issues in the Corinthian church that especially manifested themselves in the public worship. For example he’ll talk in chapters 12-14 about the question of spiritual gifts, their purpose, and their proper use in the church.  Later in this chapter [11] he’ll deal with issues surrounding the celebration of the Lord’s Table [we’ll look at that next week, as we celebrate communion together].  Here, he deals with an issue surrounding some women in the Corinthian Church who apparently resisted the Lord’s design for the church, which included the idea of male leadership.  Alistair Begg said that in this passage, “The big issue here is not what is going on the head, but what is going on in the head!” Remember that I Corinthians is a letter, and Paul is responding both to problems in the church that had been reported to him by some members of the household of Chloe (see 1:11), and also to questions that the Corinthians had sent in writing to Paul (see 7:1). We don’t have the letter the Corinthians sent to Paul, so we have to discern, the best we can, the issues that lay behind the answers that Paul gives in this passage. There is a lot that we can’t be certain about in these verses that would have been perfectly clear to the original readers.  Even so, there abiding principles that we can affirm with confidence.  I think we can safely say that some in the church had disregarded this aspect of God’s design for leadership in the church. God has a plan for the church, and...

The Big Idea: God is glorified when His people embrace the order He has established in the church: Jesus is the head, and in the context of spiritual equality, He has delegated leadership to men.

I. God is glorified when His plan for the church is respected (2-6).

² Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.  ³ But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.  ⁴ Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head,  ⁵ but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head- it is the same as if her head were shaven.  ⁶ For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head.

       The praise Paul offers (2). Paul begins recognizing and praising the fact that many in the church respected Paul’s leadership and embraced the things he had taught them.  He praises, or “commends” them for remembering him in everything. Since some in the church clearly questioned Paul’s authority as an apostle it may be that this is a hint that the naysayers were a relatively small but vocal group.  The church, for the most part, maintained the “traditions” Paul had delivered to them. This is in contrast to the “traditions of the fathers” (Galatians 1:14) or the “traditions of men” (Colossians 2:8). It was Paul’s teaching, the Gospel of Christ applied to everyday living. In other words, biblical doctrine. Paul used the word in this sense a couple of times in his second letter to the Thessalonians...

“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter...” (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us...” (2 Thessalonians 3:6).

“Tradition” isn’t a bad word! If it is biblical tradition, it is a great word! [The problem is, we often elevate human traditions to the level of biblical truth. That is a problem!]. When Paul talks about celebrating the Lord’s Table later in this passage, he’ll remind the Corinthians of the things “he delivered” to them, that which they “received.” He’ll do that again in chapter 15 when he talks about the Gospel (15:1-3).  Paul here is commending the Corinthians, who for all of their problems, still were holding fast to the core fundamentals of the faith that Paul had taught them. This is a good reminder to us that doctrine cannot stand alone, it should never be abstract or merely intellectual, it needs to translate into action.  Theology is always intended to be practical. In many respects the Corinthians held to good theology, the problem was in the connection between the head, the heart, and the hands.  What we believe should impact how we live. Let’s face it, the world doesn’t care about our doctrinal statement. They are not impressed by our orthodox theology. They see our life. Is it different? Are we consistent? Do we really love one another? Jesus said they would notice that (John 13:34,35). Do we really care about them? If we are really convinced that we are saved by grace, through faith, why are we not more prone to extend grace toward others?  Rather than trying to get the world to “act” Christian, why don’t we with gentleness seek by all means possible to point people to Jesus?

       The Principle he asserts: Christ, the Head of the Church, has delegated authority to men (3).  With the word “BUT” at the beginning of verse 3, Paul then contrasts their holding to his doctrine with an area of practice that had come to his attention, an area in which the Corinthians were lacking. They had begun to drift from a biblical, complementarian view of sexuality and of leadership in the church. The ESV says in v.3, “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.” Notice the three aspects of the parallelism, 1) man to Christ, 2) woman to man, and 3) Christ to God [the Father].  A few observations on this.

       First of all, notice that the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church. He will develop this more later when he talks about the church as the body of Christ, Jesus himself being the head (I Cor 12; cf. Eph 4; Rom 12). The pastor isn’t the head of the church. The elders are not the head of the church.  No group or individual among us is the head of the church.  Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the Head of the church. If we agree on that we’ll seek together His will and His plan! His glory is what matters to us.

       Next, Paul affirms that the head of the woman is the man. The ESV translate “wife” and “husband” here, which is a valid translation. Male leadership starts in the family, but in this context it is applied to the life of the church.  I am convinced that in most cases, godly women long for men to take this responsibility, and the greater problem often is not women try to usurp authority they have not been given, but rather a failure of men to lead! Men, fathers, even we “empty nesters,” let’s reaffirm the fact that God has called us to shepherd our families. A shepherd leads, feeds, protects, and knows his sheep.

       Some have argued that the sense of the word “head” here is “source” rather than “authority.” After all, the first woman, Eve, was created from the side of Adam. But that sense really doesn’t fit when we get to the third part of the parallelism which points to the Son and the Father in the context of the trinity. The Son is eternal, without beginning. Biblical doctrine affirms the equality of the persons, yet in the context of that equality it is the Father who sends the Son, who gives the Son, and who is revealed by the Son. We know that Paul on the one hand taught spiritual equality of men and women.  We read for example in Galatians 3:28,

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Not ethnicity, not social status, not gender, none of these things impact our standing as born again, blood bought believers in Christ. We are brothers and sisters, we have the same Father. The issue isn’t our spiritual standing in Christ, but rather leadership, order that God has established.

       The Problem in Corinth (4-6).  These verses are challenging since it is unclear (as evidenced by the divergent views of commentators!) if Paul is talking about some kind of head covering (a hat or a veil) or perhaps a hair style (perhaps braided hair being put up on the top of the head). What seems to be implied is that some women in Corinth were wearing their hair is such a way that it dishonored their spouse, perhaps by appearing in a way that was characteristic of promiscuous women or prostitutes.  It may be that they were wearing their hair much shorter than would be normal for a married woman in that society. Gordon Fee said, “By making their appearance such that it tended to eliminate the distinctions between the sexes, they were bringing shame on that relationship...” (Fee, I Corinthians p. 502).  The point is, God is glorified when His people embrace the order He has established in the family and in the church. Jesus is the head, and in the context of spiritual equality, He has delegated leadership to men.

II. God’s plan transcends culture and is rooted in His design in Creation (7-12).

⁷ For 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 was not made from woman, but woman from man.  ⁹ Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.  ¹⁰ That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.  ¹¹ Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman;  ¹² for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.

       One tendency when dealing with issues like this is to assume that since it is so antithetical to some of the values popularly held today, that it must be reflecting an antiquated, culturally specific view of gender roles. These verses make that conclusion impossible, since Paul is appealing specifically to God’s design in creation.

       A believing Corinthian man should not cover his head in the context of worship. Symbolically and spiritually speaking he should not “cover” or obscure God in his life. In other words, Jesus should shine through, people should see Christ in us.  As the Spirit glorifies Christ, Jesus reveals the Father. A believing wife, as the helpmate and complement of her husband seeks to be at his side, helping him and submitting to his leadership. Was this merely a cultural idea? I don’t think the Bible allows for that.

       First of all, the man was created before the woman (Genesis 2:7) and he exercised dominion over the creation by naming the animals (2:19,20).  Men and women are both created in the image of God (see Genesis 1:26-28). God created humans for His glory.  Yet the man was created first, out of the dust of the ground.  The woman, on the other hand, was created from the side of the man, from him and for him as his complement and helper. This isn’t merely a cultural design it is God’s creation order (see also I Timothy 2:12-14).  

       The phrase “...because of the angels...” seems a little odd here, since we don’t know a lot about the origin and role of these divine messengers. It seems that they are present and working among humans, especially among believers, “ministering spirits,” and as we recognize and submit to God’s design they are pleased because He is being honored. When we refuse to submit to God’s design in creation, could it be that they are offended, that we bring them pain? They certainly understand that our sin and rebellion was nailed to the cross in Christ.  We are his, we were bought at a price.  God is glorified when His people embrace the order He has established in the church: Jesus is the head, and in the context of spiritual equality, He has delegated leadership to men.

III. God’s design includes gender differences and specific roles for men and women (13-16).

¹³ Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?  ¹⁴ Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him,  ¹⁵ but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.  ¹⁶ If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

        Paul says, “Let’s use common sense! You are reasonable people, judge for yourselves!”  There are natural (physical!) differences between men and women.  Some are pretty obvious. Take a look in the mirror if you have any doubts about gender differences!  Some are less visible. I have no idea what a hormone looks like, but the effects they have on men and on women are powerful, and dramatically different!  If we act or dress in such a way that we blur God’s design for humans, we disgrace our head, ultimately the Lord himself.

       This grates against current trends and popular thinking, but this is God’s design in creation. He is our maker and our redeemer. His wisdom and knowledge are infinitely perfect. Who do we think we are to question or to doubt His design for us? Is that too personal? I need to be reminded, maybe you do too. Don’t cancel your subscription!

What is God saying to me in this passage? God is glorified when His people embrace the order He has established in the church: Jesus is the head, and in the context of spiritual equality, He has delegated leadership to men.

What would God have me to do in response to this passage? Let me talk to the teens for a moment. You are hearing and will be hearing a lot about gender and sexuality in the media and even in school. God made us, He gets to make the rules. He has spoken to us in this book. Your DNA, not your feelings, determine your gender. And God has a plan for you, just the way He made you.

       Men, this passage may have been directed to a few women in the church at Corinth, but God has a message for us as well. We are responsible to lead our families, and to lead the church. You don’t have to have all the answers. Any of us can pick up a Bible, and read a chapter with our spouse or children, and then pray that God would apply it to our hearts.

       Women, allow your men to lead. Encourage them to lead. If you are married, choose to be a “helpmate suitable” to your husband. You will be giving an example to your children of God’s design for the family, and for the church. 

       Our ultimate goal should be the glory of God. May we honor Him as we submit to His Lordship and acknowledge His plan.  God knows us, He knows the truth about each of us, even those things that no other human knows. And He still loves us so much that He sent the Son. To Him be the glory.  AMEN.