1 Corinthians 11:10 (ESV)
That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
In this section of Paul’s words to the church at Corinth, he addresses women having their head covered in worship. He begins the discussion by not talking about these head coverings by addressing the thought of submitting to authority. He begins with this verse:
1 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV)
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.
The bigger issue in Corinth is that there were some women who did not submit to the authority of the church, or their husbands. Paul is not addressing head coverings as much as he is addressing submission to authority. That is the history of the context.
The above verse gives us even more understanding about this challenge in the church as Paul gives the reason for the head coverings as it is a symbol of authority for the women, because of the angels.
One of the truths of the New Testament seldom talked about is the fallen angels and how our spiritual walk with Christ is a rebuke to them. One of the reasons we are to preach the gospel and live the gospel out in our lives is to make know the wisdom of God to the fallen angels. Notice what Paul says to the church of Ephesus on this subject:
Ephesians 3:10 (ESV)
so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
It is through the church that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known. And who is it to be made known to? The rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Those are angels.
Our walk in obedience, in the context of the church, is to show the fallen angels our submission to Christ. Something Satan and his fallen angels would not do. Our willingness to be submissive to authority is more than just our obedient walk in Christ. God is using the church as exhibit A to His amazing grace. We are on display for the universe to see. Submission is one act of that exhibit.
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