This section is not introduced with the word concerning, as were the two previous sections (1 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 8:1). This suggests that Paul is about to address matters that have not been raised by the Corinthians themselves. Two matters will be discussed in 1 Corinthians 11:1–34, both of which are related to public worship. Perhaps chapter 11 can be viewed as necessary preparation for chapters 12—14, where Paul will discuss the use of spiritual gifts in the worship service.

In the entire letter Paul praises the Corinthians only twice, once in the beginning of the letter (1 Corinthians 1:4–7) and here for the second time. Here he praises them for remembering him and for following the teaching that they have received from him during his eighteen months in Corinth (see Acts 18:11). The word traditions refers to all the teachings of the apostles.

Paul’s words of praise indicate that the Corinthians have hitherto been obedient to the apostolic decree regarding sacrificial meat, despite their frustration with this decree (1 Corinthians 8:1 – 10:33). It also suggests that the matter that Paul will now address, namely, the wearing of head coverings in the worship service, is not something that he has specifically instructed the Corinthians in before. Problems in this area probably began to emerge only after he had left Corinth.