1 Corinthians Week 12

Order, Honor, and the Orderly Table

Introduction: The Church in the House

Paul continues addressing the church at Corinth in its entirety. This week, he transitions into how the family of God functions when they gather under one roof. In the ancient world, the church met in homes, making worship a mix of a public event and a private family gathering.

Paul’s message here is simple: “Church, get your act together.” He calls them to understand what is truly important and warns them not to let shifting societal standards alter their divine calling.

Section 1: Cultural Awareness and Divine Order (vs. 1-16)

1 Corinthians 11:1–16 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

— 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 (ESV)

Contextual Deep Dive: To understand Paul’s words about head coverings, we have to look at Corinthian culture. In that society, a woman covered her head when leaving her house to signal she was married. An uncovered woman was seen as single and available, while a shaved head was often associated with local prostitutes.

When the church gathered, some felt their “freedom in Christ” meant they could throw off these cultural norms, causing chaos and sending the wrong signal to the community. Paul reminds them that order comes from God (referencing Genesis 3:16) and that while men and women have different roles, neither is superior—they are interdependent.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Paul highlights an order: God is the head, then Christ, then man. Notice that public opinion, popular culture, and personal preference are never mentioned in this hierarchy. Where do you see modern culture trying to insert itself into the church’s divine order?
  2. Man was insufficient on his own, so God provided different job descriptions for men and women—not better, just different. How can we celebrate these distinct, foundational roles without slipping into cultural arguments about status or power?
  3. Paul argues that we must maintain cultural awareness while still honoring the order of the Church. What are some ways we can give up our personal “freedom of operation” in certain areas to ensure we aren’t distracting people from the Gospel?

Section 2: Righting the Table (vs. 17-26)

1 Corinthians 11:17–26 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

— 1 Corinthians 11:17-26 (ESV)

Contextual Deep Dive: Communion in the early church looked very different from our modern practice of passing a tiny cup and cracker. It was modeled after the Passover—a large, full dinner shared in someone’s home.

However, something toxic was happening in Corinth: the wealthy were arriving early, eating all the best food, and leaving only scraps and leftovers for the working-class believers and slaves who arrived later. Paul steps in fiercely because this behavior completely contradicted the Gospel.

Discussion Questions:

  1. The Corinthian believers were turning a holy community meal into a selfish display of personal desire. In what ways can our modern church gatherings inadvertently become more about filling our own desires than caring for those around us?
  2. Paul calls them back from selfish demands to spiritual matters. Why is a genuine concern for our brothers and sisters a prerequisite for truly worshiping God?

Section 3: The Weight of Examination (vs. 27-34)

1 Corinthians 11:27–34 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

— 1 Corinthians 11:27-34 (ESV)

Contextual Deep Dive: Paul uses a specific Greek word twice in this section: once translated as examine (v. 28) and a few verses later as judge ourselves (v. 31). It implies taking a hard, honest look internally.

Because the Corinthians were abusing the Lord’s table and treating others with contempt, Paul notes that some in the community had physically fallen sick and died due to this sinful mindset. When we approach the Lord’s table, our focus must be completely on Him and His body (the church).

Discussion Questions:

  1. Verse 28 commands a person to “examine himself.” When you prepare to worship or take communion, what does a “hard internal look” practically look like? What specific things should we be testing?
  2. Paul warns that a failure to judge ourselves can lead to spiritual sickness and division. If you see yourself as more important than others in the body, how do you actively perform a course-correction?
  3. Knowing that Jesus has offered the ultimate gift of salvation, how does the act of proper self-examination prepare us to go out and make Him known to the world?

âš“ The Apologetic Bridge: Silence Through Order

The Connection: Paul wants the church to behave properly so that their gatherings don’t cause confusion or bring disrepute to the Gospel. This directly mirrors Peter’s instruction regarding how we handle ourselves in a watchful, critical world.

1 Peter 2:13–15 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

— 1 Peter 2:13-15 (ESV)
  • The Strategy: 1 Peter commands believers to subject themselves to ordinances and live honorably, noting that by “doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”
  • Discussion: In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul tells the church to respect cultural boundaries (like head coverings) so their mission isn’t compromised. How does choosing to respect order and structure—even when we have the “freedom” not to—strengthen our collective defense of the faith to outsiders?

Weekly Action Steps: Up, In, Out

DAILY REMINDER: The 6:20 “Examine Me” Prayer Set your alarm for 6:20 PM. Use that minute to pray: “Lord, examine my heart tonight. Remove any contention, pride, or selfishness in me, and reset my mindset to focus entirely on honoring You and building up Your Church.”

UP (Intimacy with God): Spend 15 minutes this week reading Genesis 3 and 1 Corinthians 11. Meditate on the truth that God is fully in control and has established boundaries for our protection and flourishing. Thank Him for the freedom of operation He gives us within His design.

IN (Investment in Community): Before the next time you gather with the church or your small group, take a hard look internally. Ask yourself: “Am I coming to this space intending to lift up those around me, or am I just looking to have my own needs met?” Commit to putting someone else’s comfort above your own this week.

OUT (Influence in the World): God uses His church in a specific place for a specific purpose. Identify one cultural boundary or social setting in your workplace or neighborhood this week where you can act with extreme reverence and respect, using your orderly conduct as a bridge to make Jesus known.