HONOR GOD’S AUTHORITY STRUCTURE (1 Corinthians 11:2-12)  

Tradition often carries negative connotations, but in the teachings of Paul, it holds meaning and purpose. Paul passed down traditions to bring order and significance to worship. In this context, he emphasized two key practices: the wearing of head coverings by women during worship and the observance of the Lord’s Supper.  

Paul delves into the profound significance of headship within the context of worship and the early Christian community. He explains the essence of "headship," with the term “head” denoting more than just the physical head: it symbolizes authority, mirroring the established structure set by God. Paul’s emphasis lies in the understanding that a man, as the God-appointed leader within his family, dishonors his own God-given authority by covering his head during worship (v.4). By doing so, he blurs the line of authority set by God, which designates the husband as the servant-leader of his home. It was crucial for men not to cover their heads, as this set them apart from those who engaged in idol worship and highlighted the sanctity of their own worship practices. Conversely, a woman wearing a head covering conveys her respectful submission to her husband’s authority (v.5). 

Examining Jesus’ relationship with God the Father, we find a model of voluntary submission (John 6:38, Luke 22:42). In marriage, the husband-wife dynamic mirrors Christ’s relationship with the church. The submission of wives reflects the church’s respect for Jesus, and husbands are called to deeply honor their wives (Ephesians 5:22-25).  

God sees the depths of our hearts during worship. True worship goes beyond rituals and externals — it reflects our authentic reverence and submission to God's authority. To truly honor God in worship, we must honor and respect His divine authority structure and embody genuine submission, love, and mutual respect in our relationships. 

 HONOR CHRIST’S AMAZING SACRIFICE (1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-34)  

In this passage, Paul addressed the Corinthian Church regarding their practice of the Lord’s Supper. He criticized their behavior, emphasizing their lack of genuine reverence and unity during this sacred ritual. Instead of bringing them together, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper became rather divisive. The rich indulged, leaving the less fortunate hungry, which was contrary to the idea of communal celebration. The lack of sincerity in their actions made the ritual meaningless.   

Paul reminded them of the true meaning of the Lord’s Supper, that it is not merely a rite but a heartfelt commemoration of Jesus’ sacrificial love. Understanding the depth of this sacrifice transforms the Supper into a moment of deep reverence. It is not simply consuming bread and wine but rather internalizing the significance of Christ’s body and blood, which were broken and shed for our salvation. 

In essence, Paul’s message was to instill order, clarifying the purpose behind worship practices and emphasizing the need for genuine reverence during worship. To truly honor God, we must acknowledge and respect the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus (Matthew 27:26-28, 29-31, 35, 39, 44, 46). This respect isn’t merely external but deeply acknowledging the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice for humanity.