I Corinthians – “Moral Solutions to Immoral Problems”

Scripture: I Corinthians 10:6-11

C.I.: The Immorality of Insubordination

In this series… - Today he begins by discussing the proper roles of men and women in worship. –
The principles he teaches here apply to every area of our Christian life.

•  The Pattern and the Principles of “Headship” in the Church, (I Corinthians 11:1-15)

•  The Pattern of Headship is Established by God, (vs. 1-3)

•  In a world filled 1/3 with slavery – the Christian faith produced an incredible freedom, ( quote Gal. 3:26-28 ).
a. So, it is not surprising that some people took this freedom to an excessive level.
b. But this was what was happening in the city of Corinth.

•  ( v. 1 ), “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” – Paul begins by showing his subordination to Christ.
a. There are several ways that we may know God's will for us today:
1) Commands – ( Matt. 28:19-20 ), “…teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you.”
2) Examples – ( I Cor. 10:6, 11 ), “Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave…”
a) Examples teach principles – but while the principle is binding - the example itself may not be.
1)) Example: The custom of foot washing in Jesus day.
2)) ( Jn. 13:12 ), “Do you know what I have done to you?” – More than just the obvious!
3)) The custom was to provide a true service & not just a religious ceremony,
( v. 10 ), “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet.”
4)) Jesus was teaching the principle of humility & service, ( v. 13 ), “You call me Teacher
and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.” – Therefore we should follow the principle!!!
5)) ( Jn. 13:15 ), “I gave you an example that you should also do as I have did to you.”

b. So when Paul says, “Be imitators of me…,” – he is giving himself as an example – of how we are all to subordinate ourselves to the headship (authority) of another!
1) Paul will now be teaching them/us this divine principle – through the use of a local custom.

•  ( v. 3 ), “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and man is the head of woman, and God is….”
a. Paul is NOT showing a superiority of a person – but rather he is defining for us God's “chain of command.”
1) Jesus = to God in substance (both are divine) – yet He willingly subordinated Himself, ( Phil. 2:5-8 ).
2) Women = to men in substance (both are human) – yet are called to subordinate themselves to husband.
a) But what if he is a non-believer, ( I Pt. 3:1 ), “…wives be submissive to your own husbands so that
even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won w/o a word by the behavior of their w.”
b) But what if he is a creep! ( Eph. 5:24 ), “…as the church is subject to Christ, so also … everything .”
c) Even if it is sinful! ( Rom. 6:22; Acts 4:19 ), “But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to
God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.” – “…we must
obey God rather than men.”
3) So God has established a pattern for His church – where the husband is the head/authority over the wife

B. The Principles of Headship is Directed by God, (vs. 4-15)

1. Principle applied to men ( i.e., submitting ourselves to God's chain of Command )

a. #1. – In his relationship to Jesus, ( v. 4 ), “Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying
disgraces his head.”
1) “Head” is used physically = (our “noggin”) and spiritually – context determines which usage to use.
a) The first “head” = physical, ( v. 7a ), “For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the
image and glory of God.”
b) “Image & glory” = (Principle) God has authority & dominion – and He has given it to man!
c) The second “head” = spiritual (i.e., Jesus, cf. v. 3 ), “…Christ is the head….” (No hats!)

b. #2. – In his relationship to his wife, ( vs. 7-9 ), “For the man ought not to have his head covered … for man does not
originate from woman, but woman from man; - for indeed man was not created for woman's sake, but woman for the
man's sake.”
1) God created man first – thus putting him in the first/lead position, ( Gen. 2:7 ), “The Lord formed man from
the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and he became a living being.”
2) Then from the man – God created the woman, ( Gen. 2:18 ), “Then God said, ‘It is not good for man to be
alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.'”
3) Woman was created from man , not to lead him - but to complete him, “This is now bone…,” ( Gn. 2:23 ).
4) Therefore, man is not to preach or pray with anything on his head - to demonstrate his relationship to
God ( having dominion from God ) – and his relationship to his wife ( head of the woman ).


2. Principles applied to woman

a. A woman's head is to be covered…
1) Demonstrating her submission to her husband, ( v. 5a ), “But every woman who has her head uncovered while
praying or prophesying, disgraces her head; for she is one and the same with her whose head is shorn.”
a) “Disgraces her head” = husband, “Man is the head of woman,” ( v. 3 ).
b) “Head is shorn” = Cult prostitutes of Aphrodite (explain).
c) Today there may be other ways a woman demonstrates a lack of submission…
1) Low cut blouses, high cut skirts, ( I Pt. 3:1-2 ), “…as they observe your chaste & res….”
2) Public arguing & profanity, ( I Pt. 3:4 ) “…with the imperishable quality of a gentle and
quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”
d) How this principle is seen – is determined by each culture (head covering, dress style, etc.)!!!

2) Demonstrating her submission to the angels, ( v. 10 ), “A woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her
head, because of the angels.”
a) Angels watch believers worship, ( Eph. 3:10 ), “…that the manifold wisdom of God might now….”
b) Angels understand subordination for as women are to men – angels are subordinate to God.
c) Thus, women who show a lack of respect for authority – are detestable to the angels!

3) Demonstrating their submission to God, ( v. 13 ), “Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to
God with her head uncovered.”
a) Temple prostitutes went about without hair. – If they prayed in this fashion a lack of respect!
b) So Paul asks a couple of questions, ( vs. 14-15 ), Does not nature itself teach you that if a man has
long hair, it is a dishonor to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? – For her hair was
given to her as a covering .”
c) Various ways to show distinctions – (for there are supposed to be differences between sexes).
d) Thus, the women in Corinth have been given hair to distinguish them from prostitutes & men.

So the examples of foot-washing & head coverings – teach the principles of humility, service and submission.
The “examples” themselves are no longer required – but the principles are still God's will for us!
Members: Humility, service, and submission. Guests: Start at the point of freedom, ( Gal. 3:26-28 )!