Imitate me, just as I
also imitate Christ.
Now I pray you,
brethren, that you
remember me in all
things
and keep the
traditions just as I
delivered them to
you.
1 Corinthians 11: 1
-- 2
Verse one
chapter 11 seems to be part of chapter 10 and closes in that chapter and then
inverse to the word "now" seems to be the beginning of his next
portion or discourse. Paul is reminding
the Corinthians that they were to be followers of him as he also was a follower
of Jesus Christ; in other words follow Jesus Christ. Paul had preached to them the doctrines that they ought to
believe, but as he led life, as whom they ought to imitate, for Paul himself would
follow no other than Jesus, furthermore, then you are to follow Jesus Christ. Christ is our perfect Examplar therefore His
particular actions and His general conduct towards a man as related to us in
Scripture should be regarded as the models of imitation, but only so far as
they conform to Scripture. Beginning
with verse two of chapter 11 Paul praises them and not just continues to berate them rather he commends them of that what was praiseworthy, both things that
were in imitation or remembrance of Paul and that they
were keeping the traditions as Paul had delivered to them. It is important at this point to understand
the word "traditions," from the Greek word is: παράδοσεις, which is
accusative plural and is not directed at a single person rather to a multitude
of people, and this word, παράδοσεις, is an internal accusative in as much as
it names or modifies the action of the verb.
It is called a cognate accusative, because the noun in the accusative
case uses the same linguistic stem or root as the stem or root of the verb:
παρέδωκα, which is first person, singular, first aorist, indicative
active. From its root means to surrender
or to deliver over to another keep, to yield up or to entrust, or to transmit,
to deliver. Now the Greek word
translated as traditions must be understood so that there is not some false
understanding that leads to a false doctrine. The Greek Word παράδοσεις, and
carries the meaning of transmission, a precept especially the Jewish
traditionary law. Therefore it speaks
of a tradition of the teachings of the rabbis and also for the New Testament
Christian the apostolic teachings, and this was the instructions concerning the
gathering of believers and Paul's use of this word constitutes a denial that
what he preached originated with himself, and makes a claim for its divine
authority. I take a moment to go over
the Greek, not necessary to teach Greek, rather so that we understand this word
for in the translation using English words often English words carry a meaning
different from what the Greek language actually states. In some churches that call themselves
Christian have added to their denominational doctrines certain traditions or
practices that were not the traditions delivered by Paul nor were the practices
of the apostles or of the early Christians.
We must examine all things according to Scripture and so to clarify I
add those Greek words to help us so that we do not fall into error. The next versus are often misconstrued and
misinterpreted, and misused: "But I
want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of every woman
is man, and the head of Christ is God" (1 Corinthians: 3). Some would use this instruction in improper
manner showing man is some sort of supreme authority when in actuality any
authority man has is only due to him because his authority is Jesus Christ, whom he is to imitate. Paul is now
addressing the particulars respecting their public assemblies. He has begun with commendation for what was
praiseworthy for if we only reproof what is amiss in any way; it is then proper
to command what is good. It shows that
the reproof is not from ill will, and a means to find fault; it will therefore
procures the more regard to it. It
seems as though the Corinthian church had, or in the least used, an abundance
of spiritual gifts. It even seems so that several women have been endowed with the spirit of prophecy, which
enabled them to offer prayers for the congregations, or even to give
instruction. But, and this is an
important but, abuses had crept into the congregation as often does when the
dispensation given by God for congregations are misinterpreted or misused and
this seems to be the case that was happening in the Corinthian church. Paul would have them understand that Christ
was the immediate Head or Ruler of every man among them, whose honor was
concerned in every part of their conduct; and that the man was the immediate
head and ruler of the woman, whose authority God had subjected her, and who
would be disgraced by any impropriety in her behavior. Paul also showed that Christ, as Mediator,
was subject to the Father as Christ did the will of the father, and the
honor of God, so that Christians should also be in subjection to Christ, and this
by doing His will and seeking His glory.
Therefore, the woman should acknowledge her subjection is a man, doing
what was honorable to him. How can we
know our duty in various particulars?
We should study our relations to God and to each other and this by study
of God's Word and applying His principles in commands to our lives. We are to deny ourselves and place the will of
God first in our lives and in all the things that we exercise in our lives. Paul was no way putting woman down and by
doing so dishonoring a woman, no, he was holding fast to what God
designed. God's dispensation for
man. As Christians we must adhere, and
conform to, the will of God and His economy for by doing so we will be blessed,
if not, all we can expect is the opposite.
Therefore, let us examine what we believe and what we practice
Your testimony are
wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
The entrance of
Your words give light;
it gives understanding to the
simple.
Psalm 119: 129 -- 130
Draw near to God
Richard L. Crumb
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