1 Corinthians 11:9
What does 1 Corinthians 11:9 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 11:9 means
Paul adds that man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man. This recalls the helper fit for Adam. The language is about purpose within creation, not about value. In worship, then, signs should affirm this complementary relationship. The covering recognized the woman’s honorable relation to her head and to God’s order. Paul wants the assembly to teach, by its very appearance, that God’s design is wise and good. When roles are respected, the whole body is edified. By grounding the practice in creation purpose, he cautions against treating the matter as a disposable custom. It bears theological weight that the church should not lightly cast aside.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the man was not made for the woman, but the woman for the man.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for a man also was not created because of the woman, but a woman because of the man;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For the man was not created for the woman: but the woman for the man.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For also man was not created for the sake of the woman, but woman for the sake of the man.
Context
This completes the creation-based rationale started in verses 7–8. Having pointed to origin, Paul now speaks of design. Together, they undergird why different signs for men and women matter in worship. The following verse (10) will add a further, mysterious but weighty, reason: the presence of angels. Then, to prevent hard conclusions that ignore grace and reciprocity, Paul asserts mutual interdependence in the Lord (verses 11–12), reminding the church that creation order and Christian unity stand together.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 2:18
And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.
- Genesis 2:23
And the man said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
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