Bible Glide

1 Corinthians 11

1 Corinthians 11 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

1 Corinthians 11 addresses two important parts of church life: how believers conduct themselves in worship and how they share the Lord's Supper. Paul calls the Corinthians to honor Christ, treat one another with care, and approach communion with humility and self-examination.

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What happens in 1 Corinthians 11?

Paul begins by urging the Corinthians to follow his example only as far as he follows Christ. He then gives instructions about prayer, prophecy, and head coverings, emphasizing order, honor, and mutual dependence in the Lord. The chapter moves to a sharper correction about the church meal, where selfish behavior had turned the Lord's Supper into a source of division. Paul repeats the words of Jesus about the bread and cup, then warns believers to examine themselves, discern the body, and wait for one another. The chapter closes with a call to eat at home if needed so the church gathering stays marked by reverence.

This chapter comes after Paul's warning about causing others to stumble and before his teaching on spiritual gifts. It continues his concern for orderly, loving church life in Corinth. The instructions here show how worship, fellowship, and communion should reflect both reverence toward God and care for fellow believers.

Themes to notice

  • Order in worshipPaul gives practical guidance so prayer and gathered worship reflect honor, not confusion.
  • The Lord's SupperCommunion is presented as a sacred meal that proclaims Jesus' death and calls for reverence.
  • Unity and self-examinationBelievers are told to look inward and treat one another rightly before coming to the table.

Questions for 1 Corinthians 11

  • What does Paul want believers to learn from his call to imitate Christ?
  • Why is Paul so concerned about how the church handles the Lord's Supper?
  • What does self-examination look like before taking communion?

Read the full text of 1 Corinthians 11 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

1 Corinthians 11

Roles in Worship

1You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

2Now I commend you for remembering me in everything and for maintaining the traditions, just as I passed them on to you.3But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.5And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved.6If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. And if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.7A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.8For man did not come from woman, but woman from man.9Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.10For this reason a woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels.

11In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.12For just as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.13Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?14Doesn’t nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,15but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.16If anyone is inclined to dispute this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God.

Sharing in the Lord’s Supper

17In the following instructions I have no praise to offer, because your gatherings do more harm than good.18First of all, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.19And indeed, there must be differences among you to show which of you are approved.20Now then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat.21For as you eat, each of you goes ahead without sharing his meal. While one remains hungry, another gets drunk.22Don’t you have your own homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What can I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? No, I will not!

23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread,24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”25In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”26For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.28Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.31Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment.32But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.33So, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.34If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you come together it will not result in judgment. And when I come, I will give instructions about the remaining matters.

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