There is a Custom to Keep
It is generally agreed upon that the topic begins at verse 2. It is apparent that the apostle introduces something new when he says, “Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.” This is his opening statement. The word ‘ordinances’ in verse 2 is rendered ‘traditions’ in other translations; the same word means ‘dogma’ in Ephesians 2.15; and it means ‘institutions’ in Romans 13.2. Jesus uses the word when denouncing ‘the tradition of the elders’ (Matthew 15.) The apostle Paul uses the word in a negative fashion as well, in Colossians 2.8, for example, when warning against philosophy and ‘the tradition of men.’ But he uses the word positively several times. When referring to a tradition of value—one worth keeping—he commands the Thessalonians to withdraw from every brother that does not walk ‘after the tradition which he received of us’ (2 Thessalonians 3.6), whether that tradition be oral or written (2.15.) It is with one of these positive traditions, or customs, that we have to do. Due to the fact that we have a tradition to ‘keep,’ it is not pressing too hard to call this custom an ‘ordinance’ or an ‘institute.’ There is a call to obedience here, no matter how we wish to term it.
The symbol of power—the token on the head of woman in church—is not a grey area. An area is grey when it is an issue that the Bible does not deal with particularly. To make a decision on grey areas, we rely on inferences. Smoking, for example, is not expressly dealt with in Scripture. However, since there is evidence that smoking is harmful to the body, and the assumption is that we should love our bodies (Ephesians 5.28), therefore it is neither good nor wise for a Christian to smoke. The symbol of power is not a grey area, for it is singled out in Scripture as a matter to observe. The Lord’s apostle colors few areas grey. It is nearly all black or white with him. When he leaves a matter for his audience to judge, he says so. “I have no commandment of the Lord,” he says, concerning celibacy (1 Corinthians 7.25.) No such liberty is extended regarding the symbol of power.
The symbol of power is not legalism, considering this word in the negative sense. Legalism is when someone tries to impose a ceremony or tradition that the Law of Moses does not enjoin. That is what the Pharisees did, for which they were strongly criticized by the Lord. Or, legalism is when someone tries to impose a ceremony or tradition that has been rendered unnecessary or objectionable because of faith in the obedience of Christ to the law. That is what the Judaizers did, for which they were strongly criticized by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians. The symbol of power is not legalistic, for it is commanded by an apostle. It is a New Testament doctrine that is sanctioned by Jesus Christ, for this apostle was commissioned by Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. This is why Paul can say, with the authority vested in him, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11.1.) The doctrine is also sanctioned by the Holy Spirit, who moved the apostle to write; and by the Father as well, for he sent both the Son of God and the Holy Spirit into the world to communicate his Revelation to man. The practice of imposing human traditions on others is warned of in Colossians 2.8. But traditions handed down through Paul in Scripture are approved by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3.16; 2 Peter 3.16.) In Romans 14, Christians are granted liberties concerning times of worship and foods to eat. No such liberty is granted regarding the symbol of power, not in 1 Corinthians 11 or anywhere else. It is a custom, or tradition, or ordinance, to ‘keep.’ “Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.”
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