Good morning! Well we certainly got some rain last night! There was a bucket on the back porch and it had about 4 inches of water in it this morning-- it was empty yesterday! We had planned on doing the Harford Fair today, but I think Fred is going to make us stay home! Guess today will be house cleaning day!! Yahoo!
Today's reading may get interesting! The sub-text in my Bible is "Being Under Authority" and it speaks of women in worship! Paul begins with a simple statement (v 1), "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Paul knew that he was following Christ's commandments and teachings, so he wasn't afraid to suggest that the Corinthians follow his model. Paul used similar words to Timothy when he told him to be a good model to the believers. Do we have good models in our churches that are following Jesus?
I sense some sarcasm from Paul in v 2. The Corinthians didn't really remember all that Paul did for them and they certainly were not following the traditions! I love Paul! Paul now sets forth some regulations and foundations for the rest of the chapter. Paul uses the word "head" a few times. It may mean head as in source, like the headwaters of a stream or a trail head; it may also mean one who has authority and responsibility. In the first case, Paul then says "man came from Jesus, woman came from man, Jesus came from God"( v 3). I think this simplifies the relationship between humanity and God/Jesus; it goes deeper than that. However, we get into some sticky situations with the second concept of "head". I do think that God/Jesus is the head (i.e. has authority over or responsibility for us; and we are responsible to and under the authority of God/Jesus). The part I would disagree with is that men and women are equal- Sherri is definitely not under my authority- we are equals (I hope!). If we look at culture 2000 years ago though, women were under control of their husbands; the husband had control over her and there was no question about that.
The idea of a head covering (vv 4-5+) may seem strange to us, but the custom was a public symbol of being under authority or control of someone else. In Greek and Roman culture is was a custom and in Jewish tradition is was a law that all women were to have a veil covering their head as all women were under authority of some male; the only women that could go in public without a head covering were the prostitutes. So, the comments made by Paul are: men should not wear head covering when they pray as they are in control and women should wear a head covering as they are under the control of others. Anyone want to comment on that?! Women are free to pray and prophesy in public, but they must show they are under the authority of a man. Regarding the comment of shaving a woman's head (v 5)- that was the punishment (in Judaic culture) of being found guilty of being an adultress (think "The Scarlet Letter"); in Greek culture is was a sign of the woman being "guilty of" adultery or homosexuality. Interesting (and not surprising) there is no corresponding punishment for men being caught in adultery or homosexuality!
Paul continues his statements. Man was created in the image of God, so for a man to cover his head would be a disgrace to God (v 7). Obviously, God created Adam first, then Eve came, so it is ok for a woman to cover her head since she is under man! Some commentaries suggest that this promotes different roles for men and women in the church and the home! I am not even going there! I think you all know me well enough to know my opinion, But if anyone wants to comment- feel free! To further the issue, woman was created for man (v 9). Remember (Genesis 2:18) God created a helper for man. I am not going there either- but feel free to comment!
Paul "redeems" himself somewhat in the next paragraph (not sure if that was the best word, but that's what I am using!). Men and women need each other (v 11). After all the discussion of the subordination of women to men, Paul goes on to stress the partnership of men and women- we do need partners in this world! Paul seems to be talking to Jewish Christians here (v 13) as men (in Jewish culture) did pray with their heads covered (as a sign of respect for God) so a woman should definitely cover her head! To continue, in Jewish and Greek culture, it was a dishonor for men to have long hair (as it was seen as feminine), so women should not cut their hair. The rule was men should not have longer hair than women. Then what about the Nazarites that made a vow not to cut their hair (and Paul was a Nazarene, so he had to have long hair at one time!). Paul then goes on to say a woman's long hair is her head covering- given by God (v 15). Confused yet?!
Phew- glad that's over...now to the Lord's Supper!
Paul begins by complementing them for coming together (v 17) but then slams them hard for being in disagreement! Paul argues that the factions are good though (v 19) as it allows us to see who is working for God and who is working for themselves. Can we see that in our factions in the church?
Early Christians would combine a "pot-luck" dinner with the celebration of communion. This was the model of Christ; he often ate with lots of people gathered around the table. Since Jesus would often eat with all the disciples and many people from the town, the Corinthians followed that model and would have large community dinners. The issue Paul has is with the party style, free for all type gathering. In these community meals, the upper class would go through the buffet line first; the lower class last. Many times there wasn't enough food left for the lower class (v 21). Class division was a highly recognized difference in ancient cultures. What about our views today on class division? Paul's message is clear- if you want to eat and drink lavishly- do it at home; the community meals are just that- COMMUNITY!
Paul then describes the celebration of Jesus at the "Last Supper." Paul didn't make this up, he received it from Jesus (v 23). Maybe it was direct revelation from Jesus, maybe it was through some of the apostles, maybe it was from some other source (remember, Paul was not in Jesus' group and he was probably a small child when Christ was in active ministry). Paul then goes through the liturgy of the eucharist (Greek for "giving thanks") with the emphasis on remembering Jesus. The eucharist was part of the Passover meal (remembering the exodus of the Hebrew people from Egypt) and celebrated hundreds of years before Jesus; Jesus takes that symbolic breaking of bread and drinking of wine and imparts a new view of these foods. The bread used at the meal was unleavened (yeast was symbolic of bad/evil and needed time to "work"); the bread also probably had small holes in it and had some scorch marks from the grill. Holes symbolic of the holes in Jesus' hands and feet; scorch marks representing the whip marks on his back. There are traditionally four glasses of wine at the Passover meal (there are various things that they represent). Jesus builds a new covenant. How could a mere human develop a new covenant between humans and God?! Different Christian traditions "impose" different understandings of the bread and cup, body and blood, at communion.
Paul teaches that communion must be received with reverence (v 27) and use a spirit of self-examination (v 28). Do we? If we do not approach this sacrament in a holy manner, we are judging ourselves. That is a tough statement from Paul! Do we approach communion with that reverence or has it lost its significance and holiness?
Paul wraps up with- if you're really hungry- stay home (v 33)! And Paul has more to say- but he will address it when he visits. Wait till your father comes home!
Some really interesting words from Paul today! Could bring about some fun conversation!
Have a great rest of the day!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
When I was in nurses training my best friend there was a Catholic and i often attended church and mass with her we always had to wear a scarf or something covering our heads in those days(late 1950's) i asked her why and she told me it was because a woman's hair was her vanity and we couldn't so that before God so we needed to cover our vanity(hair). This is no longer practiced in the church as my daughter and daughter in law are raising their children in the catholic faith and they are not required to cover their hair now or at least none of the women are seen wearing head covering now.
ReplyDeleteGod created both man and woman and we are children of God so on has no authority or the other Eve was created as helpmate for Adam but after the original sin a lot has changed. Whether we cover our heads while praying is not the important fact but that we are praying is what is important. We have to remember the times when Paul wrote this letter.
Paul criticizes the church as some of the members when celebrating the Lords supper gobbled down the food and some had no food and some became drunk, the Lords supper was meant to be shared and honor Christ.
When we have communion we should think of why we are partaking of the bread and wine( grape juice in our church) What Jesus gave for us to have everlasting life.
My goodness, how times change. I think a lot of these references were as things were at that time. Women have certainly evolved socially and in many ways since Biblical times. Through the years women were dependent on men because they had so few rights under the law. I read sooo much and it always amazes me to read about women who could not own property, vote, work outside the home, etc. even in the 1950s and 60s a woman called herself say, Mrs Sam Smith instead of Mrs Sally Smith. I sure am glad that I live when I do.
ReplyDeleteCovering the head is interesting. Yesterday we were at Animal Adventure with the granddaughters. There was an Orthodox Jew family there. The father and little boys wore side curls and yarmulkes. The mother also had a small head covering. Obviously this is very important to them.
Paul says that women were given long hair as a head covering. Interesting how different cultures look at things.
I’m sure we’re all worried about Afghan women now that the Taliban have taken over.
I think it is very interesting that Paul opens this chapter telling them to follow him - when in Chapter 3 - vs. 4-5 - of this very same letter he tells them not to follow any man - including him - but to follow Christ. I agree with the comments above - it all depends on the time and who Paul is writing to. If it were the custom for Greek women to wear head coverings, why did Paul feel that he had to make it a point? They were already doing it. So if Paul felt he had to tell women to wear hair covering and why they had to, it seems like they weren't - or at least the Corinthian women were not! And Paul does not say they need to always wear it or even always wear it during worship - only when praying or prophesying - normally a "man's job" so if a woman was doing it - praying and prophesying - she should cover her head to show she knew her position as being a woman. Of course, clothes and what sex wore them has been dictated for thousands of years. Different roles for men and women in church - hmmmmm - how many women on the Board of Trustees? I understand how Paul would be upset if the Corinthians were doing their ceremony of the Lord's Supper in the manner he described. I also believe that communion should be taken solemnly and with reverence. We should be remembering the true meaning of it!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Cathy - the Afghan women are in my prayers!
This chapter has (again) brought back memories of my upbringing in the Episcopal Church. I remember my mother telling me that men were not allowed to wear hats in church while women almost had to. I don't remember her words, but that was the gist. Also, women were allowed inside of the alter rail, but men were not (except clergymen). Of course when I was older and became an acolyte, I was allowed inside the rail. Where am I going with this? It has to do with women having long hair and men having short hair. I was a sophomore in college when the Beatles came on the scene. OMG!!! Their hair is soooo long!! If we only knew at that time what was coming... I never (until now) realized why men had short hair and women had long hair. Of course, now everything is turned upside down.
ReplyDeleteI am also worried about Afghan women and the likely reemergence of Sharia Law. I am also afraid that not all of our American countrymen and countrywomen are going to make it out of Afghanistan alive. Friends of ours spent a year in Afghanistan in the early 70s teaching American schools over there. The husband is no longer with us, but I'm sure his wife has a lot of stories. They were there long before the Russians went into Afghanistan and gave up.
Jack, it says in my bible in the notes that the men with long hair were male prostitutes so one reason the Christian men wore their hair short.
DeleteWow, I must have been sleeping during that passage, Clara. I don't have enough hair to grow it long!!!
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