Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:12

What does 1 Corinthians 11:12 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 11:12 means

Paul continues the balance: as the woman is from the man (Eve from Adam), so also the man is through the woman (every man is born of a woman). Ultimately, everything is from God. This humbles both sexes. No one can claim independence or superiority. Even while affirming order and headship, Paul puts God’s sovereign source at the center, reminding the church that all life and every role are His gifts. In worship, this perspective guards against pride, fosters gratitude, and keeps the symbols from becoming tools of strife. Honor the order, but honor more the God from whom and for whom all things exist.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For as the woman is of the man, so is the man also by the woman; but all things are of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For as the woman is of the man, so is the man also by the woman; but all things are of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For as the woman is from the man, so the man is through the woman; but all things are from God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for as the woman <FI>is<Fi> of the man, so also the man <FI>is<Fi> through the woman, and the all things <FI>are<Fi> of God.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For as the woman is of the man, so also is the man by the woman: but all things of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For as the woman [is] of the man, so also [is] the man by the woman, but all things ofGod.

Context

This verse concludes Paul’s theological balancing act. After laying out creation order and a sign of authority, he stresses mutual dependence and God’s ultimate primacy. With that groundwork, he returns to practical discernment. In verse 13, he will appeal directly to their sense of propriety. Verses 14–15 will use the language of nature and widely recognized patterns to support distinction between men and women. Finally, verse 16 will shut the door on quarrelsome debate by invoking the practice of the churches of God.

v.11Nevertheless, neither is the woman without the man, nor the man without the woman, in the Lord.

v.12This passage

v.13Judge ye in yourselves: is it seemly that a woman pray unto God unveiled?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 11:36

    For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.

  • Hebrews 1:2

    hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;

  • 1 Corinthians 8:6

    yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.

  • Proverbs 16:4

    Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

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