Study Desk

¹Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.^(a)

Now I praise you^[a] because you always remember me and keep the traditions^(b) just as I delivered^(c) them to you.

But I want you to know that Christ is the head^(d) of every man, and the man is the head of the woman,^[b](e) and God is the head of Christ.^(f)

Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors^(g) his head.

But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved.^(h)

So if a woman's head^[c] is not covered, her hair should be cut off. But if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, she should be covered.

A man, in fact, should not cover his head, because he is God's image⁽ⁱ⁾ and glory,^(j) but woman is man's glory.

For man did not come from woman, but woman came from man.^(k)

And man was not created for woman, but woman for man.

This is why a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, and man is not independent of woman.

For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman, and all things come from God.^(l)

Judge^(m) for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?

Does not even nature itself teach⁽ⁿ⁾ you that if a man has long hair it is a disgrace^(o) to him,

but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory?^(p) For her hair is given to her^[d] as a covering.

But if anyone wants to argue about this, we have no other^[e] custom, nor do the churches of God.

Now in giving the following instruction I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.

For to begin with, I hear that when you come together as a church there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.

There must, indeed, be factions^(q) among you, so that those who are approved may be recognized among you.

Therefore, when you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord's Supper.^(r)

For at the meal, each one eats his own supper ahead of others. So one person is hungry while another gets drunk!

Don't you have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you look down on the church of God and embarrass those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I do not praise you for this!

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:^(s) On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread,

gave thanks, broke it, and said,^[f] "This is My body, which is^[g] for you. Do this in remembrance of Me." ^(t)

In the same way, after supper He also took the cup and said, "This cup is the new covenant^(u) established by My blood.^(v) 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^(w) until He comes.^(x)

Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body^[h] and blood of the Lord.

So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup.

For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body,^[i] eats and drinks judgment^(y) on himself.

This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep.^(z)

If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged,

but when we are judged,^(aa) we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned^(ab) with the world.

Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you gather together you will not come under judgment. And I will give instructions about the other matters whenever I come.^(ac)