Deep Dive

I Corinthians 11

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Adam Clarke Bible Commentaryv. 1

Be ye followers of me - This verse certainly belongs to the preceding chapter, and is here out of all proper place and connection.

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 1

CENSURE ON DISORDERS IN THEIR ASSEMBLIES: THEIR WOMEN NOT BEING VEILED, AND ABUSES AT THE LOVE-FEASTS. (1Co. 11:1-34) Rather belonging to the end of the tenth chapter, than to this chapter. followers--Greek, "imitators." of Christ--who did not please Himself (Rom 15:3); but gave Himself, at the cost of laying aside His divine glory, and dying as man, for us (Eph 5:2; Phi 2:4-5). We are to follow Christ first, and earthly teachers only so far as they follow Christ.

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John Gill Bible Commentaryv. 1

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. &c. These words more properly close the preceding chapter, than begin a new one, and refer to the rules therein laid down, and which the apostle would have the Corinthians follow him in, as he did Christ: that as he sought, both in private and public, and more especially in his ministerial service, to do all things to the glory of God, and not for his own popular applause, in which he imitated Christ, who sought not his own glory, but the glory of him that sent him; so he would have them do all they did in the name of Christ, and to the glory of God by him: and that as he studied to exercise a conscience void of offence to God and man, in doing which he was a follower of Christ, who was holy in his nature, and harmless and inoffensive in his conversation; so he was desirous that they should likewise be blameless, harmless, and without offence until the day of Christ: and that whereas he endeavoured to please men in all things lawful and indifferent, wherein he copied after Christ, who by his affable and courteous behaviour, and humble deportment, sought to please and gratify all with whom he conversed; so he would have them not to mind high things, but condescend to men of low estates, and become all things to all, that they might gain some as he did: and once more, that as he sought not his own pleasure and advantage, but the salvation of others, in imitation of Christ, who pleased not himself, but took upon him, and bore cheerfully, the reproaches of men, that he might procure good for them; so the apostle suggests, that it would be right in them not to seek to have their own wills in every thing, but rather to please their neighbour for good to edification. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. &c. The…

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Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 1

Paul, having answered the cases put to him, proceeds in this chapter to the redress of grievances. The first verse of the chapter is put, by those who divided the epistle into chapters, as a preface to the rest of the epistle, but seems to have been a more proper close to the last, in which he had enforced the cautions he had given against the abuse of liberty, by his own example: Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ (Co1 11:1), fitly closes his argument; and the way of speaking in the next verse looks like a transition to another. But, whether it more properly belong to this or the last chapter, it is plain from it that Paul not only preached such doctrine as they ought to believe, but led such a life as they ought to imitate. "Be ye followers of me," that is, "Be imitators of me; live as you see me live." Note, Ministers are likely to preach most to the purpose when they can press their hearers to follow their example. Yet would not Paul be followed blindly neither. He encourages neither implicit faith nor obedience. He would be followed himself no further than he followed Christ. Christ's pattern is a copy without a blot; so is no man's else. Note, We should follow no leader further than he follows Christ. Apostles should be left by us when they deviate from the example of their Master. He passes next to reprehend and reform an indecency among them, of which the women were more especially guilty, concerning which observe, I. How he prefaces it. He begins with a commendation of what was praiseworthy in them (Co1 11:2): I praise you, that you remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances as I delivered them to you. Many of them, it is probable, did this in the strictest sense of the expression: and he takes occasion thence to address the body of the churc…

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Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 1

11:1 imitate me: Cp. 4:16; Phil 3:17.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 1

γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… μιμητής (mimētḗs, G3402) — an imitator μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that κἀγώ (kagṓ, G2504) — so also the dative case , and accusative case and (or also, even, etc.) I, (to) me Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus

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Strong's Concordancev. 2

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐπαινέω (epainéō, G1867) — to applaud ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because μνάομαι (mnáomai, G3415) — to bear in mind, i.e. recollect; by implication, to reward or punish μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κατέχω (katéchō, G2722) — to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively) παράδοσις (parádosis, G3862) — transmission, i.e. (concretely) a precept; specially, the Jewish traditionary law καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi, G3860) — to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you

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Strong's Concordancev. 3

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. θέλω (thélō, G2309) — to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι)… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because κεφαλή (kephalḗ, G2776) — the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very

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Strong's Concordancev. 4

πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) προσεύχομαι (proseúchomai, G4336) — to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than προφητεύω (prophēteúō, G4395) — to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… κεφαλή (kephalḗ, G2776) — the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… καταισχύνω (kataischýnō, G2617) — to shame down, i.e. disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…

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Strong's Concordancev. 5

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife προσεύχομαι (proseúchomai, G4336) — to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than προφητεύω (prophēteúō, G4395) — to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office κεφαλή (kephalḗ, G2776) — the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively ἀκατακάλυπτος (akatakályptos, G177) — unveiled καταισχύνω (kataischýnō, G2617) — to shame down, i.e. disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one

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Strong's Concordancev. 6

γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife κατακαλύπτω (katakalýptō, G2619) — to cover wholly, i.e. veil οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not κείρω (keírō, G2751) — to shear καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. αἰσχρόν (aischrón, G149) — a shameful thing, i.e. indecorum ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than ξυράω (xyráō, G3587) — to shave or "shear" the hair

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Strong's Concordancev. 7

γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… ὀφείλω (opheílō, G3784) — to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should);… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not κατακαλύπτω (katakalýptō, G2619) — to cover wholly, i.e. veil κεφαλή (kephalḗ, G2776) — the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively ὑπάρχω (hypárchō, G5225) — to begin under (quietly), i.e. come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively,… εἰκών (eikṓn, G1504) — a likeness, i.e. (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation,… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife

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Strong's Concordancev. 8

γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

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Strong's Concordancev. 9

γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not κτίζω (ktízō, G2936) — to fabricate, i.e. found (form originally) ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

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Strong's Concordancev. 10

τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ὀφείλω (opheílō, G3784) — to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should);… γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ἐξουσία (exousía, G1849) — privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively)… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… κεφαλή (kephalḗ, G2776) — the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by…

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Strong's Concordancev. 11

πλήν (plḗn, G4133) — moreover (besides), i.e. albeit, save that, rather, yet οὔτε (oúte, G3777) — not too, i.e. neither or nor; by analogy, not even ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) χωρίς (chōrís, G5565) — at a space, i.e. separately or apart from (often as preposition) γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful…

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Strong's Concordancev. 12

γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ὥσπερ (hṓsper, G5618) — just as, i.e. exactly like γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very

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Strong's Concordancev. 13

κρίνω (krínō, G2919) — by implication, to try, condemn, punish ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are πρέπω (prépō, G4241) — to tower up (be conspicuous), i.e. (by implication) to be suitable or proper (third… γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife προσεύχομαι (proseúchomai, G4336) — to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἀκατακάλυπτος (akatakályptos, G177) — unveiled

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Strong's Concordancev. 14

ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than οὐδέ (oudé, G3761) — not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even φύσις (phýsis, G5449) — growth (by germination or expansion), i.e. (by implication) natural production (lineal… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… διδάσκω (didáskō, G1321) — to teach (in the same broad application) ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) κομάω (komáō, G2863) — to wear tresses of hair ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ἀτιμία (atimía, G819) — infamy, i.e. (subjectively) comparative indignity, (objectively) disgrace

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