Tuesday, May 20, 2008

First Corinthians 11:2-16: On Women and Angels

Why does Paul include angels in his reasons for women's covering their heads in worship? (11:10)

Could it be because of Genesis 6:1-4? What do you think?

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4 Comments:

Blogger RobeFRe said...

Since he does not reference Gen 6 other than by the vague reference to 'teachings', I can only say "Perhaps". this passage is one where I am sorely tempted to say oh it's Paul and he did not preface it with 'this is a truth of truths' so...but as I read and reread the passage and consider the environment into which he is directing this particular letter(one of developing promiscuity and its correlative any hole will do)
I wonder if he is not making some polite however seemingly vague but actually direct admonishment for people to keep a physically distinguishable difference between male and female that our conversation(arch) be clear and above board and not at all demeaning or corruptive especially when in mixed company(I might reference Gen 6 here) because of the strong attraction natural between the sexes. This obvious difference then would lend itself to people recognizing and avoiding the conversation(arch) often alluded to as punished in Sodom and Gomhorrah.

RFR

May 21, 2008 at 12:06 PM  
Blogger Randy Rogers said...

I am not sure that Paul and polite belong in the same sentence (I speak with a little sarcasm here).

I think your point about remaining distinctively male and female (in accordance with created order) makes sense. I also agree that he is calling the Corinthians to maintain orderly conduct.

Your connection with Sodom and Gomorrah is interesting, although not a specific reference either.

The reason why I see Genesis 6 here as follows:
1. Genesis 6 has a long history of interpretation in Jewish literature because it is a difficult passage to understand. 1 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6 both address Genesis 6, without direct quotation, but a direct allusion.
2. The passages all deal with some issue of sexual immorality or angelic relation to humanity from a sexual perspective.
3. The accepted though on Genesis 6 in the Bible was that the angels lusted after women, out of the bounds of their normal spiritual activity.
4. In 1 Cor 11, Paul is dealing with women in worship, and I think he is suggesting that angels (demons?) notice the improper activities of the Corinthian church, and the women (and men) need to act appropriately to avoid the same pitfalls that befell humans in Genesis 6, namely losing natural desires for unnatural ones.

May 22, 2008 at 11:58 AM  
Blogger RobeFRe said...

Randy,

It may be that errant angels are milling about today stumbling into or looking for that libidinous encounter(re John Travolta's 'Michael'). But I think the more prevalent situation is that MEN AND WOMEN are finding themselves more and more often in situations where compromise of moral behaviour is, at least in this part of a theorized hundred year cycle, and along the continuum of time, easier to live with than before. And each hundred year cycle seems to have moved further along the road to bedlam rather than order. I do not know that constraints upon behavior and dress is profitable to the sanctification process, but it might be.

May 22, 2008 at 7:58 PM  
Blogger Randy Rogers said...

Your point of sexual purity and appropriate dress is well taken.

I am not sure I agree with Paul's understanding of Genesis 6 (if I am allowed to disagree with Paul) and his application of it.

I understand how one could view Paul's comments as his attempt to combat sexual immorality, but I do not see that in the context of this particular section. His emphasis is on worship, and the angel comment makes very little sense without some outside knowledge or assumptions.

May 23, 2008 at 11:13 PM  

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