Subject: Head cover in church - 1 Corinthians 11

1 Corinthians 11:2-5 (ESV Strong's)
Head Coverings
Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.

Subject:   Head Covering in Church

(NOTE: Some of this is taken from Dan Wallace ... bible.org)

In regard to "head cover" in the church:

There are several views in vogue on the text, but within evangelicalism three or four come readily to mind:

(1) This text has no applicability to us today. Paul is speaking about a ‘tradition’ that he has handed on. Hence, since this is not the tradition of the modern church, we hardly need to consider this text.

(2) The head covering is the hair. Hence, the applicability today is that women should wear (relatively) long hair.

(3) The head covering is a real head covering and the text is applicable today, in the same way as it was in Paul’s day. (NOTE ... Me ... this argument is based upon a theological discussion not on a social discussion.)  Within this view are two basic sub-views:

a. The head covering is to be worn by all women in the church service.
b. The head covering is to be worn by women in the church service only when praying or prophesying publicly.

(4) The head covering is a meaningful symbol in the ancient world that needs some sort of corresponding symbol today, but not necessarily a head covering. This also involves the same two sub-views as #3 above.

I personally would agree with #3 or #4.  #3 fits the text the easiest.  However, since we don't like it practically we dump it off to #4.


NOTE:  Notice what Paul states about his own statements in this verse:

1 Corinthians 11:10
That is why a wife ought to have a "symbol" of authority on her head, because of the angels.  (Paul is saying in this verse that the hat or covering IS a symbol of something more meaningful ... authority, respect and priority.)

Some truths in the passage that can't be ignored, no matter the interpretation:

KEY:  Paul just finished a section on "freedom" in the Christian walk being governed by love and not "rights."   We can't understand chapter 11 if we don't accept and believe in the theme and truth of chapter 10

1.  Paul is telling us that, during praying or prophesying, there needs to be a respect for the gender differences.  They are not the same and should not look the same. The people of Corinth seem to have taken Jesus’ teaching on the marriage-less (and perhaps by implication, sex- or genderless) future of the saints as the basis for erasing the present-day distinctions between men and women—specifically in terms of their apparel during the worship service.

2.  Since Paul goes back to the order of Creation for one of his arguments, this is not simply a cultural issue and any interpretation must reflect this argument.

3. Paul seems to be concerned about authority as much as look.  Since one of his arguments includes the authority topic the answer to the interpretation must include that aspect.

4.  Since in the last verse on the subject (1 Corinthians 11:16) Paul states that if you disagree and want to be contentious there is no other answer he can give, Paul must believe that some 1) Won't agree with him  2) His teaching is what the rest of the churches are doing  3) their disagreement, if it would exists, is characterized as being contentious.

5.  Paul seems to assume the "authority" of Christ over man and man over woman, but he is not here arguing that.   IF we read this in the eyes of "respect" for the created order and respect for each other's God given roles (verses 5 and 7) we might see this differently.

6.  Notice in 1 Corinthians 11:13 Paul states, "Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?"   Isn't Paul saying to the church, "you decide for yourself?"    But, he is making the argument that they should observe the spirit of his argument.