[:en]PROPRIETY IN WORSHIP (vs. 1-16)
In Corinthian church, there arose a big problem concerning morals because of two cultural backgrounds between Jewish and Greek women. Jewish women always covered their heads in worship while Greek women are used to worship without head coverings. Paul offered solution that came from his desire for unity among church members and for appropriateness in the worship service. He told the women who were not wearning head coverings to wear them not because of spiritual cause but to keep the congregation from dividing over a petty issue. He emphasized that the proper attitude and conduct in worship was to focus on God alone.
Paul said: “The head of every man is Christ; the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God” (v. 3) He gave importance on “submission” to prevent chaos. Submission does not mean surrender, withdrawal or inferiority. It is virtual commitment and cooperation. God calls for submission among equals. As Jesus is equal with God, He submitted to the Father to carry out the plan for salvation. Likewise, God created man and woman in His image which are equal in His eyes. But the wife must submit to her husband for the sake of marriage and family. Submission between equals is submission by choice not by force. We obey God’s instruction concerning relationship by willingly submitting to others in our church, to our spouse and to our government leaders.
Authorities are made for the world to function smoothly. In marriage, there must be level of authority not level of superiority. Men and women have unique characteristics that complement each other. The issue of authority and submission must not become a wedge to destroy oneness in marriage, but as a way to strengthen it for God’s glory. “Woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as a woman came from man, so also a man is born of a woman” (vs. 11-12)
Paul talked about the issue of head coverings. In Corinth, men with long hair was thought to be a sign of male prostitution in the pagan temples. And women with short hair were perceived to be prostitutes. That is why Paul was saying that Christian women in Corinth with short hair would be diffuclt to be a witness for Christ. We should not let appearances and behavior to hinder us from being a witness for Jesus Christ.
THE LORD’S SUPPER (vs. 17-34)
The Holy Communion symbolized the death of Christ for sinners. It reminds us of Christ’s death and the glorious hope of His return. Our participation strengthens our faith through fellowship with Christ and other believers.
The early church celebrated the Lord Supper with a fellowship meal followed by the Holy Communion. During the fellowship meal, some ate and drunk excessively while others went hungry. It developed into a dinner without caring and sharing. Paul condemned these actions and reminded them the real purpose of the Last Supper. He urged them to eat their dinner at home.
The Last Supper was a meal instituted by God (Luke 22:13-22) which was celebrated Israelites deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Today, eating the bread and drinking the cup show that we are remembering Christ’s death and renewing our commitment to serve Him. We must not let the Lord’s Supper become just a ritual or a pious habit. We must take it thoughtfully remembering His death until He return. (v. 26) We must take it worthily with due reverance and respect. “For those who participate in the Lord’s Supper without thinking of its meaning are guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord” (v. 27) . We must also examine ourselves for any unconfessed sins . “For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment of himself” (v. 29).
The seriousness of the Communion Service is not to be taken lightly. As a disciplinary judgment for those who took it unworthily, they became weak and sick. Some even died. That is why believers must prepare for Communion through healthy introspection, confession of sin and resolution of differences with others.[:]