1 corinthians 11:16 - But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God’s assemblies.

Generated Verse: 1 corinthians 11:16

What does "1 corinthians 11:16" mean?


This verse, 1 Corinthians 11:16, is a concluding statement related to the preceding verses about head coverings during prayer and prophecy in the Corinthian church. Let's break down its meaning:

"But if any man seems to be contentious..." This addresses someone who is argumentative or disputatious. They're digging their heels in and resisting the apostle Paul's instructions about head coverings. The word "seems" suggests that their motivation might be driven by a desire to argue rather than a sincere conviction.

"...we have no such custom..." This means Paul and the other apostles, along with the wider Christian church, do not have a habit of arguing about such things. They don't engage in endless debates over matters where a reasonable practice is already in place.

"...neither do God's assemblies." This reinforces the previous point. It is stating that the assemblies of God (meaning the churches) do not generally foster or tolerate a spirit of contentiousness or endless arguments. They are marked by unity, peace, and a willingness to follow apostolic teaching.

In essence, the verse is saying:

"If someone wants to argue endlessly about these head covering practices, they're out of line. We (Paul and the apostles) don't have a tradition of arguing like that, and neither do the churches of God. We value unity and obedience to apostolic teaching over endless debates on such issues."

Key Points:

Focus on unity: The verse emphasizes the importance of unity and avoiding unnecessary disputes within the church.
Apostolic authority: It implies that Paul's instructions carry weight and should be respected.
Avoiding contentiousness: It discourages a spirit of argumentativeness that can disrupt the peace and harmony of the church.
Context Matters: Understanding the specific context of the head covering debate helps in interpreting the verse's broader message about avoiding unnecessary disputes.

Important Considerations:

Not about suppressing legitimate questions: The verse is not suggesting that all questions or disagreements are wrong. Rather, it's about the manner in which disagreements are handled. A contentious spirit that disrupts unity is condemned.
Application: While the specific issue of head coverings might not be directly relevant today, the principle of avoiding contentiousness and valuing unity remains relevant in all areas of church life.

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