1 Corinthians 11:8

8 for man was not created from woman, but woman from man. ¹

1 Corinthians 11:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 11:8

For the man is not of the woman
In the present state of things, and according to the ordinary course of generation and propagation of mankind, man is of the woman, though not without the means of man; he is conceived in her, bore by her, and born of her; but the apostle respects the original formation of man, as he was immediately made by God out of the dust of the earth, before the woman was in being, and so not of her:

but the woman of the man;
she was made out of his rib, and took both her name and nature from him; God was the author, and man the matter of her being; her original under God, is owing to him; and therefore as he was first in being, he must be superior to her: this serves to prove all that has been as yet said; as that man is the head of the woman, the woman is the glory of man, what he may glory in as being from him; and therefore there should be this difference in their appearance at public worship.

1 Corinthians 11:8 In-Context

6 If the woman does not cover her head, she might as well cut her hair. And since it is a shameful thing for a woman to shave her head or cut her hair, she should cover her head.

7 A man has no need to cover his head, because he reflects the image and glory of God. But woman reflects the glory of man;

8 for man was not created from woman, but woman from man.

9 Nor was man created for woman's sake, but woman was created for man's sake.

10 On account of the angels, then, a woman should have a covering over her head to show that she is under her husband's authority.

Cross References

• 1. 11.8, 9Genesis 2.18-23.