I have always enjoyed the Pauline epistles and 1 Corinthians is a favorite among them. For some reason upon this reading, the passages that I had previously skimmed over seem laden with importance. It is time for me to figure them out. I could certainly read them literally, but it seems in our times no one does. Some of these are things I struggle to interpret, others are things I don’t see taught or applied and question why. I mean no offense to those who fall into some of these areas. In fact you might be able to offer the best answers.
Women speaking in church
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (NIV) “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.”
Yes, you read that correctly. I talked to people at church today. I asked a question at church today. Sometimes I speak in front of a group of High School students. Sometimes I teach these same students.
I have heard it said that this means a woman should not be a head pastor--huh? That isn’t what is said. Also as an unmarried man, does Paul have enough experience with women to know that they are actually capable of understanding spiritual things? I’ve heard it said that this was cultural and no longer applies...ok, who makes that call?
Covered Heads
This could be another cultural issue, but nonetheless it is not being adhered to in church.
1 Corinthians 11:4 “Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.” This seems really clear--no man should pray or prophesy with a hat on. Got it. But it happens. I’ve been in settings where men are asked to remove hats before prayer, but it has been a long time. This seems like a simple thing to adhere to--why don’t we?
Verses 5-6 “But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.” Totally confused here. Do I need to wear a hat? Or one of those lace mantles? Is my long hair considered my covering? How much hair can I cut off before it is a disgrace?
On that note, Verses 14-15 ”Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.” The very nature of what things? How long is long for a man? Is being disgraced by a man’s long hair or a woman’s cut hair sin?
Marriage
In this area I question Paul--he states this as opinion, but it seems contrary to other scripture 1 Corinthians 7:8 “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.” Verse 28 “But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.”
I agree--marriage brings many troubles in this life HOWEVER in Genesis 2:18 “The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” So v 22 “Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.”
Then in Matthew 19:11-12(NIV) “Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” Which never seemed to make any sense at all, that is until I read it in The Message “But Jesus said, "Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn't for everyone. Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked—or accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you're capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it." So Paul, God says get married, Jesus says (my paraphrase) if you’re man enough...get married. But you don’t.
Paul gets weird
1 Corinthians 7:29-31 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
What? Yes, the world is temporary. Things pass, our minds should be focused on God. Is Paul just finally pulling out some literary technique for emphasis. Paul is usually pretty literal, so that doesn’t really fit.
The big one: Divorce and Remarriage
This is an issue on which Paul is totally clear and this is reiterated in several books of the New Testament. It is also a teaching the church and its members seem to ignore completely. Cultural? Maybe. Choosing their battles? Probably. But it doesn’t sit well.
First of all 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 “To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.” Yep. That one gets ignored. But let’s go further--why remain unmarried? Because in Matthew 19:9 Jesus said, “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” SO--if I’m reading this right, and honestly I’m hoping I am not, because I don’t like to believe that my church is blatantly ignoring the commands of scripture--a divorced then remarried person is an adulterer aka a sexually immoral person. And this is why that is such a big deal: 1 Corinthians 5:11 “But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.” These people with whom we are not even supposed to eat are an integral part of our church.
Often when I blog I am just sharing my life. This time I am looking for feedback, guidance and truth. If I am to follow the scripture, I want to understand it and follow it.
