Study #5: Marriage, Headcoverings & Worship (1 Cor 7, 11, 14)

Information relating to our gathering on June 21st, 2022 (7-9 pm)
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  • Read: This article by Rebecca McLaughlin "Jesus Changed Everything for Women" as a follow-up to the May 31st meeting.
  • Study: 1 Cor 7, 11, and 14 using the inductive Bible study worksheet.
  • Reflect: Update the journal/notebook where you are keeping track of your questions, impressions and evolving thinking. Consider the conclusions we drew from the study and the questions that linger. 
  • Pray: For ourselves, our fellow study participants and our church body 
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Instruction for this Gathering

The Worship of the Early Church
Pastor Thomas' PPT

Discussion

  1. What does Paul mean when he differentiates between himself and the Lord in places like 1 Corinthians 7:10, 7:12 and 7:25?
  2. What does it mean that the husband is the head of the wife (cf. 1 Cor 11:3)? What "head" does the woman dishonour (cf. 1 Cor 11:5)?
  3. How should we understand the importance/meaning of the covering (cf. 1 Cor 11:5)?
  4. What does Paul mean by "authority" (cf. 1 Cor 11:10?
  5. What does Paul mean by referring to "nature itself" (1 Cor 11:14)
  6. How can Paul command to silent in the churches in 1 Corinthians 14 (cf. 34), when he gives instructions for how women ought to pray and prophesy in 1 Corinthians 11 (cf. 5)?
  7. Are these directions/commands/instructions binding on the church in Corinth only, or only for a period of church history, or for all churches everywhere at all times (see 1 Cor 11:16, 14:33)?

 Conclusions

Confident Conclusions
Ways that we can have a good degree of confidence the passages speak to the topic of gender and leadership.


  1. Orderly worship is a reflection of our God of order. (cf. 1 Cor 14:33, 40)
  2. Women could - were even expected - to participate in prayer + prophecy alongside men in accordance with orderly worship. (cf. 1 Cor 11:4,5; 14:39-40)
  3. Men should be men and women should women, as per God's created order, in such a way that edifies the church. (cf. 1 Cor 11:2-16)
  4. In God's plan for His Church, we see continuity with the male/female interdependence, mutuality, and equal value with distinction God initiated in Genesis 1 & 2. (cf. 1 Cor 7:2-7, 10-11; 11:3; 14:5)
Not Yet Conclusive Conclusions / To Be Discerned
Ideas that are not yet conclusive, but noted because they might be inferred/implied in the passages. We will return to these as we work through other passages.



  1. What type of speaking is prohibited (cf. 1 Cor 14:34), and what are the grounds for this prohibition?
  2. Which, if any, standards (e.g. hair length) are culturally conditioned? (cf. 1 Cor 11:13-16) To what extent might we apply, adapt, or ignore these standards in our modern context?  
  3. In what way is man the head of the woman? (cf. 1 Cor 11:3) [note: this was contributed by a group member as a question following the meeting]

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Next Gathering:

August 9th, 7pm to 9pm
Instructions to Men and Women (1 Timothy 2)



Between Now & August 9th

  • Rest: No Study in July to give space for rest halfway through our meetings. 
  • Read all of 1 Timothy, paying attention to any references/inferences to males and females, as well as leadership issues/concerns. Consult comparing multiple translations as you read the book and/or select passages (e.g. NASB, CSB, ESV, NIV, NLT).
  • Study: 1 Timothy 2:8-15 using the inductive Bible study worksheet (see the page for the August meeting for more specific questions to narrow the focus of our discussion). 
  • Reflect: Keep a journal/notebook where you are keeping track of your questions, impressions and evolving thinking. 
  • Pray: For ourselves, our fellow study participants and our church body.