Correspondence: 1 Cor. 11:5, 10-11; Memorial in a Book; Mary Don't Touch?

From: Young Christian: Volume 29, 1939

1 Corinthians 11:5,10‑11; John 20:17 • 2 min. read • grade level: 7

Question: Please explain 1 Corinthians 11:5, 10, 11⁵But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. (1 Corinthians 11:5)
¹⁰For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. ¹¹Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 11:10‑11).

Answer: From verses 3-16 we have God’s order in creation. The man was to have his head uncovered when praying, because he represented authority. The woman was to be covered as a token that she was subject to the man, her covering being a token of the power to which she was subject. Angels learn by object lessons given by the redeemed, so the man and the woman cannot do without each other. Her hair is the sign of the place which God has given her.

“Given as a veil, her hair showed that modesty, submission—a covered head that hid itself, as it were, in that submission and in that modesty—was her true position, her distinctive glory.”

Both man and woman should also read 1 Peter 3:1-7¹Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; ²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. ³Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; ⁴But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. ⁵For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: ⁶Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. ⁷Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (1 Peter 3:1‑7).

A hard spirit in a man against his wife under any circumstances is forbidden of God. (Col. 3:19¹⁹Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. (Colossians 3:19).)

Question: Why was Moses to write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua? (Ex. 17:14¹⁴And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. (Exodus 17:14).)

Answer: Because Amalek, the active enemy of the people of God, can never be forgiven. (Compare Deut. 25:17-19¹⁷Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; ¹⁸How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. ¹⁹Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it. (Deuteronomy 25:17‑19); 1 Sam. 15:2, 3, 18, 32²Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. ³Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. (1 Samuel 15:2‑3)
¹⁸And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. (1 Samuel 15:18)
³²Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. (1 Samuel 15:32).)

It is the power of Satan in the enemies of God’s people seeking to destroy them. So it is from generation to generation.

Question: Why did the Lord hinder Mary from touching Him? (John 20:17¹⁷Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)).

Answer: Mary, in this passage, represents the new position and relationship given to the believing remnant of the Jews, and so to Christians everywhere. He was now taking His place as a risen and ascended One to the Father’s right hand. Therefore she is not to know Him any longer after the flesh, but by faith, and their relationship is a new one that could not be known before Christ died.

“My brethren.” “My Father and your Father, My God and your God.”

Inside the Jewish sheep fold this could not be known. No Old Testament saint ever called God, “Abba Father.” This belongs to saints of this present time only. (Rom. 8:15¹⁵For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15); Gal. 4:6⁶And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6); 2 Cor. 5:16¹⁶Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (2 Corinthians 5:16).)

In Matthew 28 the women hold Him by the feet, yet He did not rebuke them, for there He appears as the Messiah. So also in John 20:27²⁷Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. (John 20:27) with Thomas.

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