Troublesome Topic: What Should Respect for Authority Look Like in Our Culture? 1 Cor 11
1 Corinthians 11:16
Translation
And if anyone is of the opinion
Go to footnote numberto be contentious,
Go to footnote numberwe have no other practice
Go to footnote numberon this [matter], nor [do] the assemblies of THEOS.
Paraphrase
Now if someone is inclined because of an opinion they hold to create strife over this issue, know that I and those I do ministry with do not see it or practice it in any other way, this is the only option available to us. In fact all the congregations that follow THE CREATOR AND OWNER OF ALL THINGS do likewise.
WHAT SHOULD RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY LOOK LIKE IN OUR CULTURE?
While the method can change from culture to culture, the principle must be followed. That means that we all need to recognize that we have those in authority over us, and we must show them proper respect. This passage also indicates that the lines of authority are different for men and women (that is where the rub comes). What should this look like in our culture? We have no outward demonstration of respect that is different for men and for women. The visible signs of respect that have been used in the past and are still used by a few, can be abused. Therefore, we do not need to go back to them. For the bulk of our population, all we have left is our life itself, which should consistently demonstrate respect for all those in authority over us. By this I mean the way we talk to and about people, the way we respond, the way we obey.
The next lesson is: The Context of 1 Corinthians Chapter 14
Footnotes
1
This word’s core meaning is “to have an opinion” and from there one gets the idea of “to be inclined to.”
2
Here the idea is someone who is “contentious or fond of strife.”
3
This word means “habit, practice or custom.” It can be taken two different ways in this verse. It can mean that the churches of God do not have the habit of being contentious, or that all the churches practice culturally understood demonstrations of submission to authority. I believe, along with many others, that it is the latter.