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Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 11:16 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
1Co 11:16 |
Strong Concordance |
But [1161] if any man [1536] seem [1380] to be [1511] contentious [5380], we [2249] have [2192] no [3756] such [5108] custom [4914], neither [3761] the churches [1577] of God [2316]. |
|
King James |
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
A summary close to the argument by appeal to the universal custom of the churches.
if any . . . seem--The Greek also means "thinks" (fit) (compare Mat 3:9). If any man chooses (still after all my arguments) to be contentious. If any be contentious and thinks himself right in being so. A reproof of the Corinthians' self-sufficiency and disputatiousness (Co1 1:20).
we--apostles: or we of the Jewish nation, from whom ye have received the Gospel, and whose usages in all that is good ye ought to follow: Jewish women veiled themselves when in public, according to TERTULLIAN [ESTIUS]. The former explanation is best, as the Jews are not referred to in the context: but he often refers to himself and his fellow apostles, by the expression, "we--us" (Co1 4:9-10).
no such custom--as that of women praying uncovered. Not as CHRYSOSTOM, "that of being contentious." The Greek term implies a usage, rather than a mental habit (Joh 18:39). The usage of true "churches (plural: not, as Rome uses it, 'the Church,' as an abstract entity; but 'the churches,' as a number of independent witnesses) of God" (the churches which God Himself recognizes), is a valid argument in the case of external rites, especially, negatively, for example, Such rites were not received among them, therefore, ought not to be admitted among us: but in questions of doctrine, or the essentials of worship, the argument is not valid [SCLATER] (Co1 7:17; Co1 14:33).
neither--nor yet. Catholic usage is not an infallible test of truth, but a general test of decency. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
But if any man seem to be contentious - The sense of this passage is probably this: "If any man, any teacher, or others, "is disposed" to be strenuous about this, or to make it a matter of difficulty; if he is disposed to call in question my reasoning, and to dispute my premises and the considerations which I have advanced, and to maintain still that it is proper for women to appear unveiled in public, I would add that in Judea we have no such custom, neither does it prevail among any of the churches. This, therefore, would be a sufficient reason why it should not be done in Corinth, even if the abstract reasoning should not convince them of the impropriety. It would be singular; would be contrary to the usual custom; would offend the prejudices of many and should, therefore, be avoided."
We have no such custom - We the apostles in the churches which we have elsewhere founded; or we have no such custom in Judea. The sense is, that it is contrary to custom there for women to appear in public unveiled. This custom, the apostle argues, ought to be allowed to have some influence on the church of Corinth, even though they should not be convinced by his reasoning.
Neither the churches of God - The churches elsewhere. It is customary there for the woman to appear veiled. If at Corinth this custom is not observed, it will be a departure from what has elsewhere been regarded as proper; and will offend these churches. Even, therefore, if the reasoning is not sufficient to silence all cavils and doubts, yet the propriety of uniformity in the habits of the churches, the fear of giving offence should lead you to discountenance and disapprove the custom of your females appearing in public without their veil. |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Custom
Not the custom of contentiousness, but that of women speaking unveiled. The testimonies of Tertullian and Chrysostom show that these injunctions of Paul prevailed in the churches. In the sculptures of the catacombs the women have a close-fitting head-dress, while the men have the hair short. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
We have no such custom here, nor any of the other churches of God - The several churches that were in the apostles' time had different customs in things that were not essential; and that under one and the same apostle, as circumstances, in different places, made it convenient. And in all things merely indifferent the custom of each place was of sufficient weight to determine prudent and peaceable men. Yet even this cannot overrule a scrupulous conscience, which really doubts whether the thing be indifferent or no. But those who are referred to here by the apostle were contentious, not conscientious, persons. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
But if any man seem to be contentious - Ει δε τις δοκει φιλονεικος ειναι· If any person sets himself up as a wrangler - puts himself forward as a defender of such points, that a woman may pray or teach with her head uncovered, and that a man may, without reproach, have long hair; let him know that we have no such custom as either, nor are they sanctioned by any of the Churches of God, whether among the Jews or the Gentiles. We have already seen that the verb δοκειν, which we translate to seem, generally strengthens and increases the sense. From the attention that the apostle has paid to the subject of veils and hair, it is evident that it must have occasioned considerable disturbance in the Church of Corinth. They have produced evil effects in much later times. |
33 For [1063] God [2316] is [2076] not [3756] the author of confusion [181], but [235] of peace [1515], as [5613] in [1722] all [3956] churches [1577] of the saints [40].
17 But [1508] as [5613] God [2316] hath distributed [3307] to every man [1538], as [5613] the Lord [2962] hath called [2564] every one [1538], so [3779] let him walk [4043]. And [2532] so [3779] ordain I [1299] in [1722] all [3956] churches [1577].
39 But [1161] ye [5213] have [2076] a custom [4914], that [2443] I should release [630] unto you [5213] one [1520] at [1722] the passover [3957]: will ye [1014] therefore [3767] that I release [630] unto you [5213] the King [935] of the Jews [2453]?
9 For [1063] I think [1380] that [3754] God [2316] hath set forth [584] us [2248] the apostles [652] last [2078], as [5613] it were appointed to death [1935]: for [3754] we are made [1096] a spectacle [2302] unto the world [2889], and [2532] to angels [32], and [2532] to men [444].
10 We [2249] are fools [3474] for [1223] Christ's [5547] sake [1223], but [1161] ye [5210] are wise [5429] in [1722] Christ [5547]; we [2249] are weak [772], but [1161] ye [5210] are strong [2478]; ye [5210] are honourable [1741], but [1161] we [2249] are despised [820].
20 Where [4226] is the wise [4680]? where [4226] is the scribe [1122]? where [4226] is the disputer [4804] of this [5127] world [165]? hath [3471] not [3780] God [2316] made foolish [3471] the wisdom [4678] of this [5127] world [2889]?
9 And [2532] think [1380] not [3361] to say [3004] within [1722] yourselves [1438], We have [2192] Abraham [11] to our father [3962]: for [1063] I say [3004] unto you [5213], that [3754] God [2316] is able [1410] of [1537] these [5130] stones [3037] to raise up [1453] children [5043] unto Abraham [11].