1 Corinthians 11:16

16 However, if anyone wants to argue about it, the fact remains that we have no such custom, nor do the Messianic communities of God.

1 Corinthians 11:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 11:16

But if any man seem to be contentious
That is, if anyone will not be satisfied with reasons given, for men's praying and prophesying with their heads uncovered, and women's praying and prophesying with their heads covered; but will go on to raise objections, and continue carping and cavilling, showing that they contend not for truth, but victory, can they but obtain it any way; for my part, as if the apostle should say, I shall not think it worth my while to continue the dispute any longer; enough has been said to satisfy any wise and good man, anyone that is serious, thoughtful, and modest; and shall only add,

we have no such custom, nor the churches of God;
meaning, either that men should appear covered, and women uncovered in public service, and which should have some weight with all those that have any regard to churches and their examples; or that men should be indulged in a captious and contentious spirit; a man that is always contending for contention sake, and is continually cavilling and carping at everything that is said and done in churches, and is always quarrelling with one person or another, or on account of one thing or another, and is constantly giving uneasiness, is not fit to be a church member; nor ought he to be suffered to continue in the communion of the church, to the disturbance of the peace of it. This puts me in mind of a passage in the Talmud ^F14.

``The Rabbans teach, that after the departure of R. Meir, R. Judah said to his disciples, do not let the disciples of R. Meir enter here, (Nh Nynrtnqv ynpm) , "because they are contentious".''

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 T. Bab. Nazir, fol. 49. 2. & Kiddushin, fol. 52. 2.

1 Corinthians 11:16 In-Context

14 Doesn't the nature of things itself teach you that a man who wears his hair long degrades himself?

15 But a woman who wears her hair long enhances her appearance, because her hair has been given to her as a covering.

16 However, if anyone wants to argue about it, the fact remains that we have no such custom, nor do the Messianic communities of God.

17 But in giving you this next instruction I do not praise you, because when you meet together it does more harm than good!

18 For, in the first place, I hear that when you gather together as a congregation you divide up into cliques; and to a degree I believe it