1 Corinthians 11:2-16
2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I handed them down to you.
3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.
4 Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head.
5 But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for it is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.
6 For if a woman does not cover her head, have her also cut her hair off; however, if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, have her cover her head.
7 For a man should not have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.
8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man;
9 for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.
10 Therefore the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
11 However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.
12 For as the woman originated from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God.
13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?
14 Does even nature itself not teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him,
15 but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her as a covering.
16 But if anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor have the churches of God.
Women’s Head Coverings (2)
Paul’s instructions
With the cultural background of that time in mind, let us now consider the instructions Paul gives. (1) Paul first refers to the “order of creation”: “Christ is the head of every man, the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.” The word “head” refers to one who has authority or occupies a higher position in the order of rank. The order of creation includes an order of authority (it is important to note that none of the relationships between the “head” and the one under authority mentioned here are identical in every respect). (2) A man’s only “head” is Christ. The head covering is a symbol of submission. Therefore, if a man wears a head covering, he is declaring that he has a human “head” within the created order, and as a result, he dishonors Christ. (3) Conversely, if a woman does not wear a head covering, she is denying the fact that, in the order of creation, she was created to be a helper to the man. A woman should wear a head covering as a sign that she accepts the order of creation. Even the angels present in the worship gathering are concerned with whether a woman is living in submission to that created order.
Application to us
This is not teaching male superiority or the idea that women are inferior to men. Instead, consider the nature of the Triune God. Within the Trinity, there is an order, but it is not an order that determines who is greater. Rather, it is an order that exists for the sake of harmony and mutual trust. In the same way, the order that exists between man and woman is also for the sake of harmony and mutual trust. Paul was careful to prevent his teaching from being misunderstood as promoting male superiority. Therefore, he adds, “ Neither woman is independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.” There is no superiority or inferiority between men and women. What exists is a difference in roles. The teaching concerning head coverings should be understood within the unique circumstances of Corinth, a city marked by moral corruption. It is difficult to apply the practice itself directly to people today. However, the underlying principle is still applicable. That principle is that Christians should not reject established traditions or customs in a way that disrupts the order of worship. Harmony and unity are what we should strive for.
Today's prayer
O God, all people are equal before You. Yet You have given each person a different calling and role. Please help me to walk in a way that pursues harmony and unity. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.