1 Corinthians 11:16

closes the discussion sharply, with its appeal to established Christian rule. If, after all that the Ap. has advanced in maintenance of the modest distinction between the sexes, any one is still minded to debate, he must be put down by authority that of P. himself and his colleagues (ἡμεῖς), supported by universal Christendom; cf. 1 Corinthians 14:33; 1 Corinthians 14:37 ff. δοκεῖ φιλόνεικος εἶναι, not “seems,” but “ thinks (presumes; see parls.) to be contentious”; εἴ τις takes ind [1660] of the case supposed (as in 1 Corinthians 10:27), and too likely in quarrelsome Cor [1661] φιλόνεικος, not amans victoriœ (Est.) as if from νική, but avidus litium (from νεῖκος), a disputer for disputation's sake. ἡμεῖς, in contrast with αἱ ἐκκλησίαι, means not “I and those likeminded” (Mr [1662]), but “I and my fellowministers” or “I and the Apostles generally” (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:6-13; 1 Corinthians 15:11 2 Corinthians 1:19; 2 Corinthians 4:13, etc.). τοιαύτην συνήθειαν, the custom described in 1 Corinthians 11:4 f. above, which gave rise to the whole discussion; not, as many understand it, the custom of being contentious (a temper, surely, rather than a custom): no one could think of the App. (ἡμεῖς) indulging such a habit! The advocates of feminine emancipation may have supposed that P., the champion of liberty, was himself on their side, and that the rejection of the veil was in vogue elsewhere; he denies both. For συνήθεια, Lat. con-suetudo, see 1 Corinthians 8:7; for αἱ ἐκκλησίαι τοῦ Θεοῦ, 1Co 1:2, 1 Corinthians 4:17, the pl [1663] conveying the idea of unanimity amongst many. Those who explain “such a custom” as that of “being contentious,” usually link this ver. with 1 Corinthians 11:17 ff. It is true that the σχίσματα of the sequel, like the ἔριδες of 1 Corinthians 1:11, tended to φιλονεικία; in truth the disputatiousness of the Cor [1664] ran into everything a woman's shawl, or the merits of the Arch-apostles!

[1660] indicative mood.

[1661] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[1662] Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary (Eng. Trans.).

[1663] plural.

[1664] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.