God’s Design For His Assemblies

As the Apostle Paul is touching upon questions which the church at Corinth requested clarification, we see a situation which further caused division among the assembly; women assuming or usurping the man’s place. This changing of places God assigned was apparently with those who were “under inspiration”, and prayed and prophesied even in their assemblies.

We saw in 1 Cor. 11:3 the ‘head’ of the man is Christ and the ‘head’ of the woman is man. Metaphorically speaking, God is the Supreme being, Christ being supreme above mankind, and a man being supreme over the woman. This is the design God made. Thus in verse 4 a man praying or prophesying with his head covered dishonored Christ. It is as if a man set himself in the place of Christ (making himself supreme over Christ) instead of being in subjection as a lower positioned being.

Likewise, the woman who sets herself in a position above her proper placement in God’s society dishonored her ‘head’, the man. 1 Cor. 11:5. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. (‘shaven’ is reference to her distinction above angels, vs. 10; her hair sets her above the angels) This behavior of changing places from which God assigned them was not normal for Jewish women who had and held to the Law of Moses. However, Gentile women perhaps were not so restrained in their behaviors. Apostle Paul is needing to further instruct all women in the manner God intended for women in God’s society.

Paul will instruct further in this same letter concerning the woman’s position and behavior in the assemblies of God; she is to keep silent. 1 Cor. 14:34. 34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. Gentle instruction on the subject seems to be the order Paul takes to not discourage the women from learning and keeping with the righteousness God desired in the assemblies. A great deal of confusion was apparent in the assemblies and probably from inspired women feeling they, too, as inspired, could hold a conference with the best of the men. Apostle Paul speaks of much confusion happening in the assemblies; God does not want confusion in the assemblies. 1 Cor. 14:33. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Confusion and its divisive forces bring brother against brother, causing some to not desire to be a part of such an assembly, and is not a proper Christian characteristic. Paul discusses this more in depth in chapter 14. However, to address this problem, he first had to adjust the minds of the diverse congregation toward a further discussion and rebuke without discouraging any. In our attempt to rebuke and discourage unacceptable behaviors, we need to study Paul’s way to correct and encourage the weak in knowledge and faith.

Young in faith female members, zealous and eager to begin a life dedicated to God and Christ, and who felt they were inspired and at liberty to speak, tried to take a place in the assemblies. Women who knew the Law of God who defined their societal position apparently did not like the boldness of the new Gentile converts. Divisions again developed. This disallowing of these behaviors needed tact to not discourage their zeal to teach, pray or prophesy. So, how does Apostle Paul deal with the situation at this time? He turns his instruction to the men first.

1 Cor. 11:4-7. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

With the positions in which God placed everyone in his society, man was the head of woman; man was created in the image of God; woman was made for the glory of man. Therefore, women were to become the subordinate sex and be ruled by man; even in the assemblies of God. This lesson must be taught first to this diversified congregation. Each participant should not assume the other’s role and not disguise the proper position by appearing as the other. A woman should not uncover her head for she was not the glory of God, man was. Woman was the glory of man. Therefore, she should take the role and display that role in the assemblies. Likewise, the man should not take the subordinate role and cover his head as the woman for he is the image and glory of God.