1 Corinthians 11:4-6

"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."

Men should never wear head coverings in worship, to do so dishonors Christ. But when women worship publicly, they should wear a head coverings to honor their husbands. The head covering is not the hair itself but some form of covering that goes over the hair—this much textually is indisputable. What is fairly disputed, however, is if the practice is still normative today. I believe that it is, and I will consider the scriptural reasoning further as I work through the next several verses.

This passage of scripture seems so clear to me, but not everyone has come to the same conclusion. In fact, I am in the minority among today's conservative Bible believers. Therefore, it is important for me to note that disagreement on this issue is not a source contention. It is also important to note that the external form, while important, is not as important as the underlying imperative for the husband and wife to be properly related to one another before God.

1 Corinthians 11:3

"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."

This verse introduces the issue of head coverings, a sign of submission, by indicating that submission is necessary. We all are in some kind of leadership role—whether by human appointment, divine design, or simply by practical default. And in that leadership role, we have people following us.

The husband, realizing the headship he has in the marriage relationship, could easily think that he is better than the wife. But the fact that one is in a position of leadership or authority over another does not necessarily indicate superiority. This is the main point of the verse, but I think that it is an important truth that can legitimately be supported by the verse. The main point is simply to clarify the the position of husband, wife and God.

1 Corinthians 11:2

"Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you."

It is encouraging that God would move the author to commend the Corinthians for "maintain[ing] the traditions." The Corinthian believers had so many problems: moral failures, idolatry, distortion of God's ordinances, and selfish, loveless use of spiritual giftedness. And yet, they are commended.

It is not wise to compare yourself with others to make yourself appear better. But it is comforting to know that God continued to work with these people who would seem to have more problems than most of our churches. God's mercy lead kept Him from abandoning these unworthy vessels. Instead of leaving them to themselves, God corrected them.

1 Corinthians 11:1

"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."

I do not think that I would be comfortable ever making this statement myself. But the undeniable fact is that we are imitators by nature, and we will be imitated by others whether we ask for it or not. Therefore, we ought to endeavor to make our lives worth imitating. And the only that we can do that is by imitating Christ.

But to imitate Christ, we must first know what He is like. So learn of Christ. See Him foreshadowed in the Old Testament. Watch Him minister in flesh in the gospels. Listen to people testify of Him in the book of Acts. Understand more of what He did through the epistles. And learn what He will do in the future in the book of Revelation.

And as you learn more about Him, as you draw into a closer relationship with Him, be like Him. That doesn't mean that we gather twelve disciples and travel around the holy land performing miracles. It means that we pattern our manner of behavior after His character. We emulate His sacrificial love, His patient endurance, and His many other qualities (all of which are honorable).

If we do this, it will be a good thing when people pattern their lives after our own.

1 Corinthians 10:31-33

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved."

Talk about your universal principles! All of my actions should be done to the glory of God. Should I eat that meat, drink that beverage, watch that TV show, go to that place, say that thing? Does it bring glory to God? Does it point to the excellency of His name? If so, then I can do it.

The surrounding verses address our responsibility to avoid offending people. Avoiding offense should glorify God. But verse thirty-one clarifies that avoiding offense and being people pleaser are two very different things. There is a way to avoid offending people that is motivated by a desire for them to think better of you, but that is seeking your own advantage and does not glorify God.

We should be aware of personal and cultural differences, and seeking the good of others, we should be sensitive to those differences. But there are some things in the Christian's message that are going to offend people (all people), and there is no getting around it. Avoiding offense by being unfaithful to the truth does not glorify God, but neither does offending people unnecessarily. If people are offended, they should be offended by the truth and not by you, your presentation of the truth, or your selfish desire for advancement.