Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:2

What does 1 Corinthians 11:2 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 11:2 means

Paul begins with encouragement. He praises the Corinthians for remembering him and holding fast to the traditions he delivered. “Traditions” here are the apostolic teachings and practices handed on to the churches, not human inventions. Commendation prepares them to receive correction without defensiveness. Their desire to remember and to keep what Paul taught is a good sign that they respect apostolic authority. Yet the very fact Paul mentions traditions implies there is a standard by which worship practices are to be measured. Faithfulness is not creativity in worship but stewardship—keeping and applying what the apostles received from the Lord for the church’s good.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now I am pleased to see that you keep me in memory in all things, and that you give attention to the teaching which was handed down from me to you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I praise you, brethren, that in all things ye remember me, and according as I did deliver to you, the deliverances ye keep,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now I praise you, brethren, that in all things you are mindful of me and keep my ordinances as I have delivered them to you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now I praise you, that in all things ye are mindful of me; and that as I have directed you, ye keep the directions.

Context

Having set a Christlike pattern in verse 1, Paul now acknowledges what the Corinthians are doing right. This softens the tone before he addresses sensitive matters. The praise is strategic: it affirms their intent while signaling that the content of tradition matters. Immediately after, he will state a theological principle about headship (verse 3) that undergirds his practical instruction on head coverings (verses 4–16). Thus the flow moves from commendation, to core doctrine, to application within the assembly.

v.1Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.

v.2This passage

v.3But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:6

    Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:15

    So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by epistle of ours.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:17

    Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches.

  • Luke 1:6

    And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:22

    What, have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you? In this I praise you not.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:17

    For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church.

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