In regard to 1 Corinthians 11:1-15 someone asked, “Should a Christian woman be wearing a head covering when praying or prophesying? What are these texts saying?” In this short blog, we’ll delve into that question a bit.
First, let’s quote the portion that is the primary concern:
(4) Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. (5) But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. (6) For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. (7) For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.” – 1 Corinthians 11:4-7.
Here are some observations we can make:
- 1 Cor 11:15 says “her hair is given to her for a covering.” Her hair is proper to cover her head.
- Verses 4 to 7, I believe are discussing that matter. If her hair is too short (i.e. head uncovered) then she might as well be “shorn” or shaven completely (cut clean to the scalp, an extreme). But if that is considered a shame (and it is) then she better have her head covered (with more hair, and if there is no hair or too little then with a cloth until it grows out again).
- The man, on the other hand, does not need to worry about having his head covered with hair. Short hair will do fine for him. Nature itself teaches that a man should not have long hair, but rather, short, Paul asserts (1 Cor. 11:14).
- We can also note that the text refers to covering their heads, not covering their hair. Their heads are to be covered by their longer hair (or else with a cloth for the time being while the covering of hair is growing out).
- Praying with too short of hair is just as bad as being shaven bald, Paul insists. 1 Cor. 11:5.
This teaching is consistent with the teaching given in the Old Testament that men are to embrace masculine qualities by dressing so, while women are to embrace being feminine by dressing as a woman (not ever as a man). See Deut. 22:5.
The only exception for men having long hair was with a Nazarite vow such as with Samson. At some point if/when they finished the vow, the man would shave off his hair and offer it to God. See Num. 6:18-20.
Another man who grew longer hair in the Bible was Absalom. He cut it short once a year and then let it grow out all year. 2 Sam. 14:26. It also seemed to be a part of his demise as well. 2 Sam. 14:9,14. (And, he was anything but a righteous man – embodying the heart of evil in many regards).
Some have wanted to insist that there are two coverings – both the hair of the woman and a cloth covering – and that a woman must wear both. Let’s take a closer look at verse 15 to clarify this.
- In 1 Cor. 11:15 it says, “…her hair is given her for a covering.” This word “for” is the word “anti” (in Greek; G473). The Strong’s Greek dictionary gives the following definition: “opposite, that is, instead of or because of (rarely in addition to): for, in the room of. Often used in composition to denote contrast, requital, substitution, correspondence, etc.”
- In other words, this corroborates the point I made above, while also making a distinction to demonstrate two different possible coverings.
- It’s telling us that her hair is given to her for a sufficient covering (in place of any other type). But if that is lacking, then she ought to cover herself with a cloth or feminine hat of some form instead. Really, this just makes sense.
- Verse 15, in saying “…for a covering,” in the Greek is “anti peribolaion,” which literally means “in place of a mantle, veil or covering vesture.” In other words, longer hair solves any possible need of a head covering cloth, while shorter or shaven hair would necessitate it.
Basically, we can conclude as follows:
A woman already has a God-given covering for her head, and that is her longer hair. She should pray or prophesy with her head covered in that way. If however, she has shorter hair, Paul tells us that she might as well have it shaved off for that is about the same kind of improper situation. Therefore, if she does not have the covering hair, then she ought to put some kind of artificial covering (cloth) on her head for sake of respect and reverence. A man, on the other hand, in opposite fashion, is to wear his shorter hair, with embrace of his masculinity, and in honor to God. Granted, that even with a head covered with sufficiently long hair, a woman may also wear a cloth head covering, but that is by option, not necessity. The idea here is proper respect, and it is proper for a woman to have her head covered, especially with her natural longer hair.
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Q and A – “Angels” and the head covering (v.10) – What does this part mean?
Yes, that verse 10 has been a difficulty for many people. I believe the context here of “power on her head” is in reference to her humility, submission, and having her head covered with the beautiful hair that God has given her. It is a power and a blessing to her and to others. Now, for the part about the “angels.” It says “because of the angels.” We should keep in mind that the verse begins with “for this cause…” meaning, the cause previously stated in verses 7-9 that the woman was created to be “the glory of the man” and a helper to him. Now in reference to the angels – The angels take great interest in our well-being and are ministering spirits to us. We also understand that they record every act that we do in this life – “recording angels.” They witness what we do. So, I think the idea here is that these angels will see the kind of lifestyle that we live and if we are truly doing what God created us to do, or not. So, in this case, is the woman doing her part to be a glory to her man and to God, and to faithfully keep her head covered reverently and properly with her beautiful hair (or another covering)? So, she should do these things because it is right, God has ordained it, it gives proper glory to her husband, and also because the angels are watching what we do, so we need to be sure and give a faithful testimony.
