Kehillah in Corinth I 11:16

16 But if anyone presumes in his thinking to be contentious, we have no such minhag, nor do the kehillot of Hashem [throughout the world].

Kehillah in Corinth I 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.

Kehillah in Corinth I 11:16 In-Context

14 Does not teva (nature) itself give you the shiur (lesson) that if a ben Adam wears a long hair-do of a lady’s coiffure, it is a dishonor to him?

15 But if an isha wears a long hairdo of a lady’s coiffure, it is her kavod (SHIR HASHIRIM 4:1)? Because the long hair has been given to her instead of the sterntichel (kerchief) or kesut rosh (head covering).

16 But if anyone presumes in his thinking to be contentious, we have no such minhag, nor do the kehillot of Hashem [throughout the world].

17 But in giving the divrei Torah that follows I give no commendation [11:2], because when you assemble as the shul of Moshiach, it is not for the better that you assemble, but for the worse.

18 Ershtins (first of all), indeed when you come together as the kehillah [SHEMOT 12:6] (I hear) there exist machlokot (divisions 1:10) and schisms among you, and partly I believe it.