1 Corinthians 11
Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter EditionKJP 
1Follow my example, just as I also follow the example of Christ.

2Now I commend you, that you are remembering me, and keeping the teachings as I passed them on to you. 3But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered, dishonors his head. 5But every woman that prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head; for that is the same as having her head shaved. 6For if the 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 be shorn or shaved, let her cover her head. 7A man should not cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of the man. 8For man did come from woman; but the woman from man. 9Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10It is for this reason that the woman ought to have authority (wear a covering) on her head, because of the angels. 11In the Lord, however, neither the man is independent of the woman, nor is the woman independent of the man. 12For just as woman came from man, even so is the man also born of the woman; but both come from God. 13Judge for yourselves: is it proper that a woman pray to God with her head uncovered? 14Does not even nature itself teach you that, if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him? 15But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory; for her long hair is given her as a covering. 16But if anyone wants to argue this point, I simply say that we have no other custom, nor do the churches of God.

If you find verse 10 puzzling, you are in good company. The first of the two commentaries consulted on verse 10 introduces the 9-paragraph, 1,195-word commentary on that verse with: “The two clauses which compose this verse are, perhaps, the two most difficult passages in the New Testament.” The second commentary contains only 2 paragraphs, and 495 words, including 3 statements where he twice candidly confesses that he does not understand it and in a third, he says “I do not know what it means”. The most puzzling part seems to be the closing phrase “because of the angels”. That second commentary closes with a fairly cogent explanation for that phrase: “because the angels of God are witnesses of your public worship and they know and appreciate the propriety of subordination and order in public assemblies”.

17But in the following instructions, I have no praise for you, for when you come together, you do more harm than good. 18First of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and to some extent, I believe it. 19Some differences among you are inevitable, so that those who are sincere in their faith will become evident. 20When you gather in one place to eat, it surely cannot be for the observance the Lord's supper. 21For in eating everyone brings his own food; and while one is hungry, another is gluttonous and drunk. 22Do you not have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you so despise the church of God, and humiliate those that have nothing to eat? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? Certainly not in this matter! 23For I have received of the Lord what I have also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; 24And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of Me’. 25In the same manner, after supper, He also took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new testament (new covenant between God and His people - confirmed) in My blood; this do you, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me’. 26For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes again. 27Therefore, whoever eats this bread, or drinks this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28That is why everyone should examine himself, before eating that bread, or drinking of that cup. 29For whoever eats or drinks unworthily (without discerning or honoring the Lord's body), eats or drinks judgment upon themselves. 30This is why many among you are weak and sickly, and some have fallen asleep (died). 31For if we were more discerning regarding ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32But when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined by the Lord, so that we will not be ultimately condemned with the world. 33Therefore, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34And anyone that is really hungry should eat at home; that when you come together, it will not result in judgment. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition
© 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved.

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