Read: 1 Corinthians 11-12
I pulled in a little outside information for this one, mostly to better understand what’s actually being said in these two chapters.
In 1 Corinthians 11, we see structure. Not in a harsh or demeaning way, but in an intentional, designed way. It talks about “head,” from the Greek word kephalē, meaning authority or leadership (Theology in the Raw).
“The head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” -1 Corinthians 11:3
This isn’t about value or worth, it’s about order. Just like Christ submits to the Father, not because He is less than, but because of role and function. In the same way, there is design in how God created men and women.
Women come from men, but ultimately, we all come from God. He is the source of everything.
“And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” -Genesis 2:22-23
God is what matters most here. Not the cultural details, like head coverings as they are mentioned in these verses, but the heart behind the details. God is intentional. We know this and we see this through the entire Bible. He creates with purpose. He places people in roles, and when those roles are led in a Biblical way, there is goodness in that design.
1 Corinthians 12, we see that same intentional design play out in a different way. Here we read about “the body.” God sent Jesus in a physical body; real flesh and blood experiencing real temptation and pain. He lived among people and gave Himself for all of us. We remember this sacrifice through communion, through the Lord’s Supper, remembering what He physically did for us. At my church we wash feet, pray over one another, and eat a meal together. I think that intentionality is so beautiful within my church community. This observance is also a personal opportunity for reflection and self-evaluation. Are your words, thoughts, actions, etcetera aligning with Jesus? Or, is there sin that you’re not turning away from or acknowledging?
Just as the Lord’s Supper is done in His honor and for His glory, so should everything we do as Christians. Obviously, this is easier said than done; I know firsthand. But when Christ is at the forefront of your mind, you should be living in a way that reflects that.
Take context into account here. Remember that Corinthians was written by Paul to the church in Corinth. The church was divided and dealing with a lot of internal struggles. At the time, this church was meant to be an example to others. Division within the body was leaving the door open to a whole range of issues like idol worship, turning from God, and coveting.
The church in Corinth needed to live in a way that reflected Christ so that other believers could see what that looked like. We know that we are His body, but that body cannot be divided because each difference serves a specific purpose. Just as the church is made up of people with different gifts, strengths, and purposes, when we come together it creates something beautiful as we worship Christ as one.
Paul was trying to correct Corinth’s behavior so that the church wouldn’t implode. We are His body.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” -1 Corinthians 12:27
We all have different gifts, roles, and purposes. That is not by accident. We see this echoed in other places too, like Romans 12 and Ephesians 4. God didn’t design us to all be the same. He designed us to work together. Just like men and women are different by design, each of us is uniquely created with gifts meant to serve Him and His people. Not one part is more important than another. Not one role is without purpose. It’s all for His glory.
Discussion Questions
- Do you struggle with God’s design for roles of authority? Why or why not?
- What gifts has God given you, and how are you using them?
- In what ways does your current church body feel divided, unified, or both?
Connect with the Author
A Note from the Author
Hello everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about the Bible verse studies, devotionals, and prayers that I put together. While I strive to offer meaningful insights and reflections, it’s important to clarify that I am not a trained or licensed biblical professional. My goal is not to provide expert theological advice but to share my personal knowledge, beliefs, and experiences as I read and reflect on the Holy Bible.
The insights I offer come from my own understanding and spiritual journey. I approach these reflections with the intention of sharing what personally resonates with me, what I’ve learned through my own study of Scripture, and what the Holy Spirit is sharing through me. I hope these thoughts are helpful and encouraging, but they are based on my personal perspective rather than formal theological training.
This specific Bible study is based off the book A Beautiful Year in the Bible The 52-Week Bible Study for Women by a series of wonderful authors Copyrighted by Alabaster Creative Inc. I do not own the rights to this book and am not claiming to. I am using the book to create my own version of the Bible in 365 days and continue to direct God’s word towards women, more specifically mothers.
Thank you for your understanding and for joining me in this journey of faith and reflection.
Blessings,
Maria Wilcoxon
*The header image is not mine and was taken from Pinterest
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