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.
Women’s Head Covering
In the first century culture, a veil covering was a symbol of respectable womanhood: something a wife might wear to affirm herself as a woman of dignity. God has made men and women different. The order of creation shows the difference. Note that “head” here does not connote superiority or suppression. Christ’s headship implies the exaltation of mankind as the “image and glory” of God. Thus to say man is head implies the exaltation of women as the glory of man (7). Women then can take pride in their identity as women!
In fact, what wearing a veil as a “sign of authority” really symbolizes to men and to angels is that in Christ it is no shame to be a woman. Each time these Corinthians participate as women in the life and ministry of the church, they affirm their own worth an value as women. No woman has to be “like a man” to be equal!
[Women’s clothing has become over exposed and too tight. Although we may not cover our head, dress modestly and in a feminine fashion is a good thing. God created us differently — men and women — both are special and beautiful. No reason to compete against each other.]
True Interdependence; 11:11, 12, Paul does not want anyone to think that men are “better” than women. “Women came from man,” he says, but “so also man is born of woman.” Neither sex is adequate or whole without the other, and so neither can be more important than the other.
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.
Chapter 11:17-34, The Lord’s Supper
The Corinthians have turned the Lord’s Supper into a feast at which the rich eat like gluttons and the poor go without. Paul restates his simple instructions for this great sacrament of remembrance and warns those who engage in it casually that they have failed to take communion as an opportunity for self-examination and turning from sin, many experience God’s judgments and some have died.
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.
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.
[The Lord’s Table. On the night Jesus was betrayed, he first had given thanks and told his disciples “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. 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.”
We should remember what The Lord’s Supper means. Take communion as an opportunity for self-examination and turning from sin.]
