1 Corinthians 11:9
New International Version
neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.

New Living Translation
And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man.

English Standard Version
Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.

Berean Standard Bible
Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.

Berean Literal Bible
For truly man was not created on account of the woman, but woman on account of the man.

King James Bible
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

New King James Version
Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.

New American Standard Bible
for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.

NASB 1995
for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.

NASB 1977
for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.

Legacy Standard Bible
For indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.

Amplified Bible
for indeed man was not created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man.

Christian Standard Bible
Neither was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And man was not created for woman, but woman for man.

American Standard Version
for neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man:

Contemporary English Version
He wasn't created for her. She was created for him.

English Revised Version
for neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Man wasn't created for woman but woman for man.

Good News Translation
Nor was man created for woman's sake, but woman was created for man's sake.

International Standard Version
and man was not created for woman, but woman for man.

NET Bible
Neither was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for man.

New Heart English Bible
for neither was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.

Webster's Bible Translation
Neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man.

Weymouth New Testament
For man was not created for woman's sake, but woman for man's.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.

World English Bible
for man wasn’t created for the woman, but woman for the man.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for also was a man not created because of the woman, but a woman because of the man;

Berean Literal Bible
For truly man was not created on account of the woman, but woman on account of the man.

Young's Literal Translation
for a man also was not created because of the woman, but a woman because of the man;

Smith's Literal Translation
For also the man was not created through the woman; but the woman through the man.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And indeed, man was not created for woman, but woman was created for man.

New American Bible
nor was man created for woman, but woman for man;

New Revised Standard Version
Neither was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For neither was Man created for the sake of Woman, but Woman for the sake of Man.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
for the man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man.

Godbey New Testament
for man indeed was not created on account of the woman; but the woman on account of the man.

Haweis New Testament
Also the man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man.

Mace New Testament
nor was the man copied from the woman: but the woman from the man.

Weymouth New Testament
For man was not created for woman's sake, but woman for man's.

Worrell New Testament
for man was also not created on account of the woman, but woman on account of the man;

Worsley New Testament
nor was the man created for the sake of the woman, but the woman for the man.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Roles in Worship
8For man did not come from woman, but woman from man. 9Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10For this reason a woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels.…

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 2:21-23
So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he slept, He took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the area with flesh. / And from the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man, He made a woman and brought her to him. / 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 1:27
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

1 Timothy 2:13
For Adam was formed first, and then Eve.

Genesis 3:16
To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

Matthew 19:4-6
Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ / and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? / So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

1 Peter 3:1-6
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. / Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, ...

Ephesians 5:31
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

1 Corinthians 7:3-4
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. / The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife.

1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. / If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.

1 Timothy 2:11-12
A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. / I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.


Treasury of Scripture

Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

the man.

Genesis 2:18,20,23,24
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him…

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1 Corinthians 11
1. He reproves them, because in holy assemblies,
4. their men prayed with their heads covered,
6. and women with their heads uncovered;
17. and because generally their meetings were not for the better, but for the worse;
21. as, namely, in profaning with their own feast the Lord's supper.
25. Lastly, he calls them to the first institution thereof.














Neither was man created for woman
This phrase reflects the order of creation as described in Genesis 2:18-23, where God creates Eve as a companion for Adam. The emphasis here is on the purpose and order in creation, highlighting that man was not made to serve or be subordinate to woman. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of headship and authority, as seen in passages like Ephesians 5:23, where the husband is described as the head of the wife. The cultural context of the time placed significant importance on the roles and responsibilities within the family unit, which were often patriarchal in nature.

but woman for man
This part of the verse underscores the role of woman as a helper and companion to man, as initially intended in Genesis 2:18, where God says, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." The term "helper" in Hebrew is "ezer," which implies a complementary partnership rather than inferiority. This relationship is further explored in the New Testament, where mutual love and respect are emphasized in marital relationships (Ephesians 5:25-33). Theologically, this phrase can also be seen as a type of Christ and the Church, where the Church is the bride of Christ, created to be in relationship with Him, as depicted in Revelation 19:7-9.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Apostle Paul
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth with teachings on order and propriety in worship.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and cultural influences, which often led to challenges in maintaining Christian teachings.

3. Creation Account
Refers to the Genesis account where God creates man and woman, which Paul references to explain the order and purpose in creation.
Teaching Points
Understanding Creation Order
Recognize the biblical order of creation as a framework for understanding roles within the family and church.

Complementary Roles
Embrace the complementary nature of men and women, acknowledging that each has unique roles and purposes as designed by God.

Respect and Honor
Encourage mutual respect and honor between men and women, reflecting the love and unity intended by God.

Cultural Context
Consider the cultural context of Corinth and how it might influence the interpretation and application of Paul's teachings today.

Unity in Diversity
Celebrate the diversity of roles within the body of Christ, understanding that different roles do not imply inequality but rather a harmonious functioning of the church.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 11:9?

2. How does 1 Corinthians 11:9 emphasize the creation order between man and woman?

3. What role does 1 Corinthians 11:9 assign to women in God's design?

4. How can we apply the principles of 1 Corinthians 11:9 in modern relationships?

5. How does 1 Corinthians 11:9 connect with Genesis 2:18 regarding creation roles?

6. In what ways can 1 Corinthians 11:9 guide our understanding of gender roles?

7. What does 1 Corinthians 11:9 imply about gender roles in Christianity?

8. How does 1 Corinthians 11:9 align with modern views on gender equality?

9. Why was woman created for man according to 1 Corinthians 11:9?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 11?

11. Is long hair a woman's glory?

12. What does the Bible say about sex?

13. In 1 Corinthians 11:3-10, how can the requirement for women to cover their heads be reconciled with the claim that there is 'no male and female' in Galatians 3:28?

14. Is woman the glory of man?
What Does 1 Corinthians 11:9 Mean
Neither was man created for woman

Paul’s first clause reminds us of the order and purpose God set in the beginning. Looking back to Genesis 2:7 we read, “Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground.” Man’s creation came first, and no part of the narrative suggests that Adam’s existence was meant to serve Eve’s. Instead:

• Adam was placed in the garden “to work it and watch over it” (Genesis 2:15), indicating a stewardship role received directly from God.

• In 1 Corinthians 11:3, Paul already established that “the head of every man is Christ,” confirming that man’s primary accountability is upward, God-ward—not toward a yet-to-be-made woman.

• Paul later echoes the same order in 1 Timothy 2:13, stating, “For Adam was formed first, and then Eve,” reinforcing that Adam’s purpose did not revolve around Eve.

The clause therefore underscores God’s intentional design: Adam’s calling and commission preceded and stood independent of any human companion.


but woman for man

The second clause completes the thought, anchoring the creation of woman to a compassionate purpose—meeting Adam’s unmet need. Genesis 2:18 records God’s words: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.” Eve’s arrival was therefore:

• A purposeful gift—Genesis 2:22 describes God “brought her to the man,” highlighting that she was fashioned with Adam in mind.

• A partnership—Eve was “a suitable helper,” not a rival, echoing Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 where “two are better than one.”

• A picture—Ephesians 5:23 employs the same creation logic to illustrate Christ’s loving headship over the church, revealing that marriage reflects gospel truths.

Paul cites this creation order to ground his practical teaching on head coverings and church conduct (1 Corinthians 11:8-10). Woman’s origin “for man” does not diminish her worth; it clarifies her complementary role within God’s harmonious design.


summary

1 Corinthians 11:9 points back to Genesis to affirm that:

• Man’s creation was directed toward God’s mission.

• Woman’s creation was God’s loving answer to man’s need, establishing complementary partnership.

Recognizing this order helps the church honor God-given roles while celebrating the mutual blessing He intended from the very beginning.

Verse 9. - But the woman for the man. As is expressly stated in Genesis 2:18.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Neither
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

{was} man
ἀνὴρ (anēr)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.

created
ἐκτίσθη (ektisthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2936: To create, form, shape, make, always of God. Probably akin to ktaomai; to fabricate, i.e. Found.

for
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

woman,
γυναῖκα (gynaika)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

woman
γυνὴ (gynē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

for
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

man.
ἄνδρα (andra)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 11:9 For neither was man created (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 11:8
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