1 Corinthians 11:11

King James Version (KJV)

Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Neither is the man without the woman - The apostle seems to say: I do not intimate any disparagement of the female sex, by insisting on the necessity of her being under the power or authority of the man; for they are both equally dependent on each other, in the Lord, εν Κυριῳ : but instead of this reading, Theodoret has εν τῳ κοσμῳ, in the world. Probably the apostle means that the human race is continued by an especial providence of God. Others think that he means that men and women equally make a Christian society, and in it have equal rights and privileges.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Nevertheless - Lest the man should assume to himself too much superiority, and lest he should regard the woman as made solely for his pleasure, and should treat her as in all respects inferior, and withhold the respect that is due to her. The design of this verse and the following is to show, that the man and woman are united in the most tender interests; that the one cannot live comfortably without the other; that one is necessary to the happiness of the other; and that though the woman was formed from the man, yet it is also to be remembered that the man is descended from the woman. She should therefore be treated with proper respect, tenderness, and regard.

Neither is the man without the woman … - The man and the woman were formed for union and society. They are not in any respect independent of each other. One is necessary to the comfort of the other; and this fact should be recognized in all their contact.

In the Lord - By the arrangements or direction of the Lord. It is the appointment and command of the Lord that they should be mutual helps, and should each regard and promote the welfare of the other.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Here begin particulars respecting the public assemblies, ch. 1Co 14. In the abundance of spiritual gifts bestowed on the Corinthians, some abuses had crept in; but as Christ did the will, and sought the honour of God, so the Christian should avow his subjection to Christ, doing his will and seeking his glory. We should, even in our dress and habit, avoid every thing that may dishonour Christ. The woman was made subject to man, because made for his help and comfort. And she should do nothing, in Christian assemblies, which looked like a claim of being equal. She ought to have "power," that is, a veil, on her head, because of the angels. Their presence should keep Christians from all that is wrong while in the worship of God. Nevertheless, the man and the woman were made for one another. They were to be mutual comforts and blessings, not one a slave, and the other a tyrant. God has so settled matters, both in the kingdom of providence and that of grace, that the authority and subjection of each party should be for mutual help and benefit. It was the common usage of the churches, for women to appear in public assemblies, and join in public worship, veiled; and it was right that they should do so. The Christian religion sanctions national customs wherever these are not against the great principles of truth and holiness; affected singularities receive no countenance from any thing in the Bible.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

11. Nevertheless. In vs. 11, 12 Paul guards against a possible misunderstanding of what he has said in vs. 7-10. All attempts of men to exalt themselves over women, and all disposition on the part of women to retire are to be avoided. In the Christian life the sexes are mutually dependent on each other. In asserting the supremacy of man, and the manner in which such supremacy is to be indicated, even in public worship, Paul did not mean that man is independent of woman. Man and woman are counterparts of each other. The church is not a church of males alone, but of females also, who together with males are members of Him in whom “is neither male nor female” (Gal. 3:28). Neither man nor woman stands alone; both stand essentially together and depend on each other. This interdependence of one upon the other is cited lest man should take to himself too much superiority, and regarding woman as made solely for his pleasure, treat her as being inferior, and not entitled to due respect.

Are we the better. Literally, “do we abound,” that is, in credit. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for reversing the order of the clauses, in which instance Paul takes up, first, the case of those who eat not.

In the Lord. This relation of the sexes to each other is according to the design and direction of the Lord. It is God’s intention and command that they should be mutually dependent, and should consider and promote each other’s welfare and happiness. Each is necessary to the well-being of the other, and this fact should be recognized in all their association. Man cannot exist apart from woman, neither can woman exist apart from man, each is incomplete without the other. This fact should be sufficient cause to prevent boasting on the part of man.

Are we the worse. Literally, “do we lack,” or “do we come short,” that is, in credit. It is not by refusing to eat such food that believers increase their moral worth or excellence. Paul is here speaking of meat offered to idols, and his statement must not be stretched beyond the subject under consideration, as if no item of food or drink could affect our relationship with God. The principle would not apply in a case where food or drink is known to be harmful to the body, or in the case of foods strictly forbidden by God.

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Cross References

Related Verses