And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
This verse should be the closing statement of the previous paragraph and not the opening statement of this chapter. It has no connection whatsoever with what follows but closes the discussion perfectly on the comments that precede it. This is the result of Robert Estienne’s work on dividing the chapters and numbering the verses. As I told have you before (Bible Gem 21 among others) some say he did the work on horseback (tongue in cheek). They say that given the rather random nature of decisions made. This doesn’t detract in anyway from the genuineness of the text of the Bible. Bear in mind the original text of Scripture was run together with no word breaks let alone chapter breaks. For that reason the Bible should be read as a whole and we should pay careful attention to the chapter boundaries.
So let’s look at the connection of 1 Cor 11:1 with what has gone before it. Let’s examine it in the context in which Paul intended it to be.
- 1 Cor 10:31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
- 1 Cor 10:32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God.
- 1 Cor 10:33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.
- 1 Cor 10:34 (1 Cor 11:1) And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
“Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. I try to please everyone . . . I don’t just do what is best for me but what is best for others so many will be saved and you should imitate me just as I imitate Christ.” It all hangs together doesn’t it? I imagine that is the first time in your reading of the Bible that you have linked 11:1 to the end of 10 and oh what a difference it makes to the understanding of it all. Just a little change but oh so important. Learn to read the Bible with your wits about you. Don’t check your brains at the door or read it mindlessly.
Never Try To Compete With People; But Always Try To Complete People.
Robb Thompson
It is not how much you do, but how much LOVE you put into the doing that matters.
Mother Teresa
Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble.
Frank Tyger
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