Judge Not Lest You Be Judged

 Judge Not Lest You Be Judged!

I recently spoke with a sister who is in ministry and she was asking about 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; 14:26-40 (34-35) and 1 Timothy 2:8-1 where Paul seems to put women in their place. She was asking because she has received some criticism for her appearance and her public speaking based on these three passages of Scripture. Apparently they have forgotten about JESUS’ command not to judge; Matthew 7:1-2 “Judge not lest you be judged! For with the judgment you judge, you will be judged; and that with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” This is not a suggestion! (JESUS never gave us any suggestions, but He did give us many commands.)

There has always been this judging other people, both in the world and in the Church, by our own standard, no matter the source of our standard. But JESUS made it clear that it will not be tolerated in The Kingdom of GOD, on earth or in Heaven. Study Matthew 7:1-6; Luke 18:1-8; John 7:16-24; Romans 2:1-16, 14:1-13; James 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:1-3.

JESUS did not come to judge: Luke 12:13-15; John 8:13-20, 12:44-50.

Final judgment: John 5:24-30; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Revelation 20:11-15.

Now that we have established that it is sin to judge others and a blessing to judge ourself let’s move on to the subject of these three passages.

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24

1 Corinthians 11 is about head coverings and The LORD’s Supper; verses 1-16 are about head coverings for men and women, verse 16, “But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the Churches of GOD.” This is the key to this passage, the cross reference is 1 Timothy 6:3-5 about those who prefer disputes and arguments. Shaving the head is only referenced under The Law for cleansing purposes, though priests were not allowed to shave their heads. Women taken by Israelite men as bounty after a battle and the man wanted her for a wife,she had to shave her head, Deuteronomy 21:12. At that time in History and today Jewish men and women cover their heads when praying and reading The Bible. The key to these passages is, “But I want you to know that the head of every man is CHRIST, the head of the woman is man, and the Head of CHRIST is GOD.” 1 Corinthians 11:3

In one verse Paul is saying a woman should cover her head when praying (5), in another he says her long hair is her covering (15), in another he says judge this for yourself (13) and he concludes with, the Church has no such custom (16)

This passage of Scripture is purely a cultural custom for the Corinthians.

I Corinthians 14 is about Gifts of The SPIRIT and proper order in the Church; Paul is teaching about order in the gathering of the Believers (26-40). Verse 26 ends with the statement, “Let all things be done for edification.” and verse 40 says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” In the middle verses 34-35 Paul says, “Let your women keep silent in the Churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak at Church.” (I checked several versions and the only references I found are for Genesis 3:16 GOD’s judgment on Eve for her sin which includes obedience to her husband; Paul’s teaching to Timothy that mirrors this passage in 1 Timothy 2:8-14, and 1 Peter 3:1-6, Peter’s version of the same teaching.) This is based on the judgment of Eve, “...your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16. But there is no teaching in the Law that a woman cannot speak in public or must be silent at Synagogue or Church; this is based on cultural custom not law. It was common under Judaism for the men and women to sit separately at Synagogue, some pagan religions may have had the same requirements, this would cause women to ask their husbands what was being said or meant during the service. Remember Paul was a lifelong bachelor so his opinion was biased on this subject (1 Corinthians 7:1-9 “...For I wish that all men were even as myself…But I say to the unmarried and to the widows; it is good for them to remain even as I am...”.

In 1 Timothy 2:8-15 Paul speaks about women’s appearance in public. “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” verses 9-10.

Peter also spoke on this issue, “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey The Word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of GOD. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in GOD also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Saah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with terror.” 1 Peter 3:1-6

So the problem is twofold; there are Christian women and men who dress to be seen and there are those who set standards that they expect others to keep. Either way the sin is in judging others; reference the opening statement of this message; or by giving yourself to the accepted standards of society for personal grooming. Both are wrong and will be judged by GOD.

Everyone is allowed to highlight their natural appearance and no one should make themself more noticeable by their appearance.

We should be seeking GOD’s Kingdom and His Righteousness (Matthew 6:25-34) and not worrying about what we will wear. While we should recognise the fruit of people’s lives (Matthew 7:15-20) we are not to judge them!

JESUS honored women:

John 2:1-8, He honors His mother by doing what she asked.

John 19:25-27, He honors His mother by providing for her security at His death.

John 8:1-12, He honors a woman and forgives her who was condemned by others.

John 4:1-42, He honors a divorced, fornicating Samaritan woman using her to save her town.

Luke 10:38-42, He honors Mary whom He delivered of demons for choosing to hear His Teaching rather than working with her sister.

John 12:1-8, He honors Mary for anointing Him for burial.

Luke 7:11-17, He honors a widow by raising her only son.

Matthew 15:21-28, He honors a non Jewish woman for her faith by delivering her daughter from demons.

Mark 5:25-34, He honors a woman’s faith in just touching His robe to be healed.

Careful how you think about and treat women, especially women of Faith.