Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 11:9
Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers to clarify the theological basis for head coverings during corporate worship. He states this immediately after noting in verse 8 that woman originated from man.
The words — ἐκτίσθη (ektisthē) means "was created," and διὰ (dia) translates to "on account of" or "for the sake of." These terms frame the declaration as a statement of divine design rather than a biological observation.
The thread — The verse directly echoes Genesis 2:18, 2:23, and 2:20, where God forms woman from man and establishes relational order. Paul grounds his present instruction in these Genesis accounts to explain the required practice.
Why it lands — The text states that woman was created for man as the foundation for her wearing a sign of authority on her head. It requires readers to align their conduct with the stated creation order without substituting personal preference.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
Cross-references
- Genesis 2:18 The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”
- Genesis 2:23 And the man said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man she was taken.”
- Genesis 2:20 The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.