1 CORINTHIANS 11:1-16

The roles of men and women in Roman times & throughout Jewish culture were well established norms. Society was tenuously built on it. However, they also made it difficult for the sexes to function as equals because they established a caste system between them. In this passage, Paul describes how those norms can be navigated without unraveling all that it was built on & collapsing Society itself. Ultimately, these teachings were radical & lead, not to destabilization, but reform. It centers upon love & not station. When we seek what’s best for all who are in a different station, it doesn’t matter who is at the top because all will be well taken care of. This is modeled in Christ who gave up his station & his life for us, who are lower than him. What many don’t comprehend is that station or role is functional & not a value statement. Being at the top of the creation chain, is also being at the top of the sin chain. Men brought sin into the world. Men should be dealing with its effects.