1 Corinthians 11:1-22

Today's reading may seem a little offensive to our women readers, especially in today's society. But take a deep breath and let's see what it can teach us.

Essentially Paul is speaking on authority. God has established principals of order, authority, and accountability. So in this principal there are three orders: Man is under the authority of Jesus Christ, woman in under the authority of man, and Jesus Christ is under God's authority. In this order, it is right for the person under authority to submit and for the one in authority to lead with sacrificial love. This image of submission and sacrificial love will continue to play out in the remainder of this chapter.

It is important to remember that submission does not mean inferiority. Jesus Christ is under the authority of God the Father, but at the same time they are equals. I look at it this way: any time two people are doing something together, someone has to be in charge in order for the project to work correctly. There is collaboration and compromise, but ultimately, someone needs to make the final decisions. God takes the guess work out of who will do what by establishing this order: God, Christ, man, woman. So, within this order, we are still to treat each other with love, compassion, and respect regardless of who is in charge. Jesus Christ was in charge, yet he sacrificed Himself on the cross and died for us. Anyone in authority who does not recognize this sacrificial love is not living within God's order. Anyone under authority who does not recognize the respect that comes with submission is not living within God's order. Any questions?

Now we read quite a bit about head coverings. What is going on here? Does this mean all women need to run out to the store & buy a scarf? No. In ancient societies, covering one's head was a sign that you were under the authority & PROTECTION of someone else. So, to not cover your head was to say that you were rebelling against this order. In today's society, we do not cover our head; however, this teaching reminds us to be respectful and submissive to men.

I find it interesting that this is what men crave most whereas woman crave love. God built us this way & when we treat each other with love & respect relationships work so much better.