“All actual authority stems from Christ.”
3-9 In a marriage relationship, there is authority from Christ to husband, and from husband to wife. The authority of Christ is the authority of God. Any man who speaks with God or about God in a way that shows a lack of respect for the authority of Christ, dishonors Christ. In the same way, a wife who speaks with God in a way that shows a lack of respect for the authority of her husband, dishonors her husband. Worse, she dishonors herself—an ugly sight, like a woman with her head shaved. This is basically the origin of these customs we have of women wearing head coverings in worship, while men take their hats off. By these symbolic acts, men and women, who far too often butt heads with each other, submit their “heads” to the Head: God.
10-12 Don’t, by the way, read too much into the differences here between men and women. Neither man nor woman can go it alone or claim priority. Man was created first, as a beautiful shining reflection of God—that is true. But the head on a woman’s body clearly outshines in beauty the head of her “head,” her husband. The first woman came from man, true—but ever since then, every man comes from a woman! And since virtually everything comes from God anyway, let’s quit going through these “who’s first” routines. (1 Corinthians 11:1-12, The Message)
This next section of 1 Corinthians is a passage that has divided church until today. I’m quoting The Message that seems to translate in a less divisive way. Paul is answering questions given to him from the young churches planted across Asia. There is no Bible like we have it today. The churches like Corinth are in large urban areas that are multicultural and multilingual. Believers are sorting out their Jewish roots while others are sorting out their roots from other religions. The question that Paul is answering follows a series of questions about marriage relationships and how we show respect to another whose faith may be weaker than ours, as in eating meat offered to idols. In chapter 11 Paul addresses head coverings for women. At this point in time believers met in homes, by the river, attended synagogue but still had Jewish traditions of the women standing behind a wall, listening while the men discussed the Torah. Is there a “right way” to act in church?
Paul returns to his original thesis. We all build on the foundation of our faith in God – not on an evangelists. We each are a stone his God’s temple with our unique contribution. The Holy Spirit dwells in the temple and God protects us. So we are to strive for peace and respect and do all to God’s glory. Paul here urges us all to act respectfully to our relationships with another. “And since virtually everything comes from God anyway, let’s quit going through these “who’s first” routines. “ Arguments about our roles, I would understand to be unproductive in Paul’s eyes but focusing on how the gifts of the other person enhances our relationship with God and strengths our fellowship should be our focus.
So let us focus on how we show respect for another at church. For sure gossip is not helpful. Constructive complements are always welcome. Helping the weak and aged is thoughtful. Let’s try the acrostic method. I show respect by
R is for _____, E is for _____, S is for _____, P is for ______, E is for _____, C is for _____, T is for _____.
Thank you LOrd for our differences that help us understand you better and drive us to you when we conflict!
On the Way to Wonder 