1 Corinthians 11:2-16: exegesis case study

Corinthians 1: 11-14. However one chooses to outline 1 Corinthians, it is evident that ch. 7-10 basically revolve around questions put to Paul by the congregation in Corinth. Ch. 11-14 focus on the worship life of the church: women in the church1 Cor 11:2-16 (cf. 14:33-36); the Lord\u27s Supper, 11:17-34; and the use of spiritual gifts, 12:1-14:40. Whether in 11:2-16 Paul is answering a question put to him by the church or simply directing himself to a particular irregularity of which he had become aware, we do not know. In this section the apostle interweaves two themes, one dealing with a basic or general principle, the other with its particular application. Thus in vv. 3,8-9,11-12 he clarifies the essential relationship between man and woman on the basis of their special creation by God. In vv. 4-7,10,13-15, he relates the principle to the issue of head coverings when praying or prophesying. Vv. 2 and 16 provide the framework for the discussion. [ed excerpt]