What does 1 Corinthians 11:12 mean?
Teaching in this section has focused on differences between men and women. In particular, Paul has explained how the subtle spiritual differences between the sexes imply different applications of the same fundamental principle. The cultural implications of a covered or uncovered head in public, in Corinth, were notable. Therefore, the Corinthians Christians ought to choose wisely, and in consideration of what spiritual message their physical appearance sent.Though much of this has focused on women—as some Corinthian women were acting inappropriately—Paul has not taught that women are inferior to men. On the contrary, he has said neither gender is self-existent (1 Corinthians 11:11). Both need the other. This is seen in the fact that woman was made from man when Eve was formed from Adam's rib.
It is also seen in the reality that every man ever born after Adam was born from a woman. While this is a brief remark, compared to what's come before, it carries tremendous implications. As stated in the prior verse, the sexes are absolutely dependent on one another. Neither is disposable, or secondary. Beyond that, Paul states, everything is from God. Both genders need each other, and both need God to exist and to thrive according to His design.
First Corinthians 11:2–16 describes Paul's correction of an inappropriate practice of some women in the Corinthian church. Contrary to social norms of that era, they were not wearing head coverings when praying or prophesying before the church. Paul insists that both women and men consider what their chosen appearance implies about their relationship with God. Cultural details may vary, but the principle does not: Christian men and women ought to be ''respectable'' in their manners and dress. In parallel, this teaching also touches on the concept of spiritual leadership.
Paul confronts two issues the church in Corinth was failing to practice correctly. First, some women were not wearing head coverings while praying or prophesying in their meetings. Paul insisted they must do so, and that men must not, based on mankind's relationship to God and the social implications of that covering. Second, Paul describes the reasons for observing the Lord's Supper and how it should be done. The Corinthian Christians had brought God's judgment on themselves for practicing communion in a way which dishonored Christ's sacrifice for sin and humiliated the poor among them.
