Sermon Tone Analysis

I. Reading of Scripture

This is God’s Word, Amen.

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1 Corinthians 11:2-16 “Judge For Yourselves”

II.

Introduction

We must approach God’s word with humility.

The apostle has already written about this humble mindset we have in Christ:

“not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved” (1 Cor 10.33).

God gives us a mind, that Christ (our example) models for us - a mind of humility.

We do not make much of ourselves.

To do so would suggest that we are not following Christ.

For Christ did not make much of Himself.

Instead, Christ emptied Himself and humbled Himself, and became obedient.

Think about that!

Jesus became obedient.

Jesus, being one with God, submitted His will to God the Father.

Before the cross, Jesus had prayed:

“Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

(Luke 22:42)

And as God high exalted Christ, giving Jesus a name that is above every name, it was all “to the glory of the Father” (Phil 2.1-11).

The nature of humility is such, that it reflects authority that belongs to another.

And this kind of humility, and authority, is demonstrated in our text today, 1 Corinthians 11:2-16.

We must approach God’s word with humility.

And lest we forget that, God will remind us by giving us a text like the one before us today.

This is a difficult text!

Interpreters wrestle and debate over how these words and concepts are to be understood, and even applied today.

Remember that this letter of 1 Corinthians was written:

So this letter was written to a specific church of God in a specific place, BUT ALSO for “all those who in every place” call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have to discern what instructions were given in response to the unique Corinthian situation, and what instructions carry forward to us today.

A few moments ago, we all prayed together.

I noticed something interesting, that during the prayer time, we had women, specifically “wives,” praying in this church gathering, next to their husbands, and not one wife pulled out a covering to put over her head as she prayed.

But our text today says that when she prays, “let her cover her head” (1 Cor 11:6).

Are we being disobedient in the church today, by not requiring our wives to put a covering over their heads when they pray?

What about a woman preaching in church?

Why do some people revolt at the thought of a woman preaching in church, or even leading a prayer in the gathering of the church?

This did not seem to even be a matter of question for the Corinthians, for our text today says “every wife who prays or prophesies” (1 Cor 11.5).

Are we being disobedient in the church today, by not allowing our wives or women to pray or exercise the gift of prophesy (which might involve preaching) in the church?

These were questions the church in Corinth asked of the apostle.

Questions about head coverings and practices in the context of public worship.

We are not too far removed from these kinds of questions, are we?

We might ask them in a different ways, but the principles remain.

We could just as easily ask not about head coverings, but about facial coverings, as one example.

Should we, the church, wear masks when we gather in the Sanctuary to worship God together?

Should we cover our mouths and noses with cloth on our faces?

Look with me a verse 13.

The apostle says:

This simply states the question being addressed here.

It seems a bit foreign to us, but it was near to them and their time.

The church witnessed women praying with uncovered heads, and wanted to know:

What is proper?

What is fitting?

What is good judgment here?

“Is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?”

To this question, the apostle gives this command:

1 Corinthians 11:2-16 “Judge For Yourselves”

Judge for yourselves.

That is, determine what is correct or valuable (LN).

While the apostle commands the church to judge for themselves — as a good teacher he does not leave them to themselves without guidance.

As I see it (and I admit this is a very difficult text),

I see three considerations the apostle values to help the church make a proper judgment.

Judge For Yourselves:

Proper Relationships

| “dishonors his/her head” [11.1-5]

Proper Perceptions

| “since it is disgraceful” [11.6-7]

Proper Intentions

| “that is why” [11.8-12]

Based on a proper understanding of relationships, perceptions and intentions, the church may make proper judgements concerning matters that could cause problems among them.

I’ll note the last verse, verse 16 —

These issues can be very contentious in the church, and people argue about them.

The apostle warns against arguing about them, but instead commands that a judgment be made.

This requires humility.

First — Judge For Yourselves:

III.

Exposition

A. Proper Relationships | “dishonors his/her head” [11.1-5]

11.2

This word for “commend” is the word for “praise.”

The apostle is praising the Corinthians here - because they have remembered him in everything.

Perhaps they are imitating Paul, as Paul imitates Christ?

(11.1).

Perhaps in their public gatherings of worship, they are doing all to the glory of God, and having concern for the conscience of others, and seeking to love others and build them up by not limiting their freedom in the Lord?

They are to be commended for this.

And the apostle also commends them because they have maintained the traditions that he has delivered to them.

Traditions may be very good and helpful, or they may be very bad and destructive.

Here is an example of traditions that were very good and helpful.

These traditions were likely the apostolic teaching.

The doctrines of Christ.

The future we have in Christ.

And one such teaching is the wonderful truth that Christ has made us ONE!

In Christ, we are one!

And holding fast to the traditions, the church was obviously practicing them.

Men and women together, were participants in public worship - praying and prophesying.

Just as men and women together, will participate in future worship in glory.

Some interpreters suggest that the contention in the church in Corinth wasn’t so much what they were doing by way of practice, but they way they were practicing it with bold enthusiasm.

The apostle does not utter a prohibition here.

He does not stop what they are doing.

He does not rebuke them.

And that is important to note.

If this chapter presented an issue in the church that was sinful, transgressing God’s command, that was idolatrous in nature, the apostle would surely have called that out.

In fact, looking ahead a bit, in the next section he does call them out on something wrong that they needed to cease and he says so!