Verse 1
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Know that imitating Christ is part of our purpose in this earth. His life is meant to be an example for us to follow (1 Peter 2:21, John 13:13-17, Ephesians 5:1).
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Always look to how Jesus and the apostles lived to learn how you should live(Philippians 3:17).
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Verse 2
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Follow the instructions of the apostles in the New Testament and don't change them!
Verse 3, 8-9, 11-12
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Just as the Father leads the Son, though they are equal in essence, men are to be leaders, though men and women are equal in essence.
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The Father and the Son are both God, but they play different roles. Men and women are both human and equal in value, but they play different roles.
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How does this apply? Men are leaders of their wives in the home, and male elders are leaders of the church; and women are helpers to their husbands (Genesis 2:18).
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Men and women both need each other to fulfill God's plan. Men lead, provide, and protect (Genesis 2:15), while women fill in all the details and hold everything together!
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If you're a husband, lead your wife and provide for her. This is godly headship.
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If you're a wife, submit to your husband and do not try to lead him (Ephesians 5:22-25).
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Learn more in 1 Timothy 2, Titus 2, Isaiah 3, and Ephesians 5.
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Verses 4-7, 10, 13-16
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The reasons for these instructions are of God, based on God's creation of man and woman (verse 7), and were even important for angels in at least Paul's day (verse 10).
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This means that a change in culture does not render these instructions obsolete. It will always be true that men and women were created in an order that makes their roles different.
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What's important for us, about these verses, is to remember that a clear distinction between the nature and role of man and woman must be expressed in how we dress and carry ourselves.
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In Paul's day, for a woman, wearing a headdress was in part a symbol of her being under authority—the authority of her husband. A woman is “the glory” of her husband in this way (verse 7).
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A man was not to wear a headdress because he was the authority over his wife. He is “the glory of God” in this manner.
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In today's world, as Paul said, we must “judge among ourselves.” In what ways can men and women behave and dress with propriety?
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Simply put, men, dress and act like a man. Women, dress and act like a woman.
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Verses 14-16. Is it ok for men to have long hair, or for women to have short hair? In some cultures and expressions of nature, it is considered dishonorable for men to have long hair, and for women to have short hair. But there are other cultures that disagree. The fact that there's disagreement means that it is not one way or the other—it's not black and white.
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Hair length is not of critical importance. Therefore, Paul says, “If anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.” In other words, if it's going to cause an argument, forget about it. Hair length isn't a deal-breaker.”
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Verses 17-19
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It causes harm when believers in a community are divided. However, certain divisions must happen.
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Divisions that cause unbelievers in the community to be exposed are important.
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Always seek to mend relationships with other believers, but do allow the hard truths and situations that expose unbelievers in the church. This is important for keeping the church pure.
Verses 20-34
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When you gather together with your fellow believers, eat together in remembrance of Christ and His death (Acts 20:7).
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When you gather, do your best to wait for the other believers to arrive so that you can all eat together (verse 33).
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When you gather, do not come to gorge yourself. Gluttony is always sin (verses 21-22,34).
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When you gather, examine your attitude, and make sure that you are eating with respect for Christ and other believers (verses 24-28).
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Verses 29-32. If you are gluttonous or careless with your food and drink, whether with the church or not, the body suffers the consequences in the form of weakness, sickness, and eventual death.
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Understand that God uses the natural consequences of sin as a form of “judgment” to discipline us, so that we do not totally fall to sin (Hebrews 12:5-10). He does this out of love (Revelation 3:19).
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