What About Traditions and Customs? [1 Corinthians 11]

1Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

 2Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 3But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.


The verses proceeding these verses are an important prelude to this discussion about the custom of head coverings. "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved."  As we have been reading the book of 1 Corinthians we see Paul addressing many problems.  Some of the problems came because of the many members who had come from a pagan background and had brought some of their practices with them.  Others came from having customs that were from the Greek traditions (e.g., men did not have their heads covered while worshiping, but women did, which was contrary to the Jewish tradition).  Paul encourages them to look at the customs and see if they are contrary to God's Word or His creative order.  If they are not then they have the freedom to "Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?"

It is clear that the gospel is the most important thing.  Galatians 5:6 reminds us that customs are not important, but "faith expressing itself in love" is what it is all about.  In this passage, "I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved,"  so that in all things God is correctly estimated, He gets the glory.


Thank You, Lord, for showing us the way through Christ to deal with our different customs.  In all that we do let there be not misunderstanding that "Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ."

Read more about this passage - Celebrate the Gospel and God's Design for Husband and Wife.
Verna McCrillis, 6/10/2009