This topic of women covering their heads in church gatherings was addressed in 1 Cor. 11 by the Apostle Paul who wrote to the Corinthian Christians while in Ephesus in the spring of 53-55AD. Corinth was a city in Greece that had a variety of people from different cultural backgrounds particularly the Hebrews and the Romans. These cultures had certain practices that helped to maintain decency and order in society. The cultural differences were causing issues in the church because the church contained both Hebrew and gentile Christians. One area of such an issue is what Paul addresses here as touching dressing.
In addressing this issue, Paul opens the chapter by encouraging them to be followers of him as he is of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). This means that everything we are going to read from this scripture is Jesus Christ-inspired. Then he commends them for following him by keeping his teachings(1Cor. 11:2). He then continues his verdict by first stating this;
1 Corinthians 11:3 (AKJV) But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
Head here is used to figuratively mean source or leadership. So Christ according to John 1vs3 created all things, and without him was not anything that was made. Just like in creation man was first created by God and then God created the woman out of man. Also, it means that Christ is the leader of the man and the man is the leader of the woman and the the leader over Christ is God. Paul comparing the relationship between the wife and her husband with that of Christ and God teaches us one thing, leadership without inferiority. God being the head of Christ doesn’t make Christ less than God for they are one and the same, it only means God functions in two duties – as a Father and as a Son – reconciling us back to Him and keeping an intimate relationship with us. Although we see Christ in His earth walk live in union with the Father in submission.
1 Corinthians 11:4-5 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
Then Paul begins to hit the nail on the head, by using the cultural manner of showing honor to teach honor in the local assembly both towards God and toward other believers. In that culture, they believed it was dishonorable for a man to have his head covered like a woman and it was dishonorable for a woman (especially married) to not cover their head or have a haircut. Women who had haircuts or heads uncovered were mostly prostitutes or women posing themselves as men. However, you must remember that God is spirit and those who worship Him must do so in spirit and truth.
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worships God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Also, God is one who look more at the heart than outward appearance
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.
So Paul’s teaching here is not a matter of trying to get God’s approval by covering or not covering your head, you will see further down that Paul was actually addressing the heart. I want to believe that God was addressing their hearts of dishonor and rebellion. I am saying this because it is the same Paul who stood against circumcision in the Galatian church. Circumcision was a Jewish traditional practice too. Instead, Paul used that circumcision practice to teach the Galatian church about the new birth and spiritual growth and the putting away of the old sinful nature by identifying with the crucifixion of the flesh in Christ.
So Paul here is using the culture to teach them honor. To cover the head besides being literal, figuratively means that you honor and value the head and that is shown in following, submitting to, and seeking to bring a smile to the face of the one who is your head. So the heart with which they were uncovering their head is what Paul was addressing, for it is possible for a woman to physically cover her head and still be walking in rebellion and disobedience towards the husband.
In summary, covering your head as a woman according to the Greeco-Roman tradition connotes honor for her man. These Corinthian women were not doing it when praying or prophesying and it was out of disregard or dishonor for their man. And God counted that as dishonor unto Him since the man is God’s representative as the head of the home. It was counted as a dishonor to God’s wisdom.
Let me also say that Honoring your man or being submissive doesn’t make you inferior to the man, it only makes you a wise woman for you are walking in the wisdom of God by doing so. Also, the man’s duty as the wife’s head is not only to be her leader but to love her sacrificially.
1 Corinthians 11:6 For if a woman will not wear [a head] covering, then she should cut off her hair too; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her head shorn or shaven, let her cover [her head].
1 Corinthians 11:7 For a man ought not to wear anything on his head [in church], for he is the image and [reflected] glory of God [his function of government reflects the majesty of the divine Rule]; but woman is [the expression of] man’s glory (majesty, preeminence). [Gen. 1:26.]
1 Corinthians 11:8 For man was not [created] from woman, but woman from man; [Gen. 2:21-23.]
1 Corinthians 11:9 Neither was man created on account of or for the benefit of woman, but woman on account of and for the benefit of man. [Gen. 2:18.]
1 Corinthians 11:10 Therefore she should [be subject to his authority and should] have a covering on her head [as a token, a symbol, of her submission to authority, that she may show reverence as do] the angels.
Let me point out the woman and man talked about here are married couples. The man is the head of His wife just as Adam was the head of Eve. You are neither your female friend’s head nor are you your friend’s wife’s head. You are also not your sister’s head. The head of every woman according to this context is her husband. Having said that, we must understand that the woman was created from and for the man, this is not derogatory but a revelation of the woman’s purpose not being independent of her man. In Eden, Eve was created as a help-meet, her role was beyond being a source of sexual pleasure but to be an aid in the fulfillment of God’s earthly and eternal purpose. God’s earthly purpose for humanity was to have humanity be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, man couldn’t do that by himself while God’s eternal purpose was for humanity to lay hold on eternal life by not eating out of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The woman would be covering her head, honoring her husband, and looking out for Him if she had not yielded to the serpent’s temptation.
The statement made by Paul in connection to angels in vs 10 is one that has triggered many interpretations. First, it could be referring to angels who sinned, and thus they were cast down from heaven (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). Paul was instructing the women to be submissive in their God-designed role and not act like the angels who were assigned roles by God but chose to rebel against Him. Second, it could be referring to Christian messengers (the Greek word “angel” means “messenger” and could refer to human messengers; compare “angels” in Revelations 2 and 3). Paul’s concern was that these Christian messengers would come to Corinth and be greatly offended if they saw the women not covering their heads because the women were not following the social custom that was related to their God-assigned role. I lean more towards the interpretation from the Amplified bible given above which says the woman should cover her head in honor to her husband which indirectly means honor to God just like the angels worship God in honor and reverence. However, I do not think it refers to not pissing off angels lest they destroy the woman neither was Paul saying not to seduce the angels for if at all there may be seduction it is other men present in the church that may be seduced. One thing we must take away from this is that women are encouraged to honor the invisible God by honoring their visible husbands by covering their heads in church.
1 Corinthians 11:11 Nevertheless, in [the plan of] the Lord and from His point of view woman is not apart from and independent of man, nor is man aloof from and independent of woman;
1 Corinthians 11:12 For as woman was made from man, even so man is also born of woman; and all [whether male or female go forth] from God [as their Author].
1 Corinthians 11:13 Consider for yourselves; is it proper and decent [according to your customs] for a woman to offer prayer to God [publicly] with her head uncovered?
1 Corinthians 11:14 Does not the native sense of propriety (experience, common sense, reason) itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is a dishonor [humiliating and degrading] to him,
1 Corinthians 11:15 But if a woman has long hair, it is her ornament and glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.
1 Corinthians 11:16 Now if anyone is disposed to be argumentative and contentious about this, we hold to and recognize no other custom [in worship] than this, nor do the churches of God generally.
The above scripture further shows us that God is not being misogynistic but establishing order. We must know that God has our best interest at heart when he instructs us to follow orders and submit to authority.
So, does it mean that unmarried ladies have the liberty to uncover their hair?
Well, according to their tradition in those days – yes! Because it is a sign to show that she is unmarried and available for courtship and marriage but she is not expected to barb her hair for her hair is her glory. So single ladies can show off their hair but married ladies have to cover their hair/head. However, if you are in a church that makes it compulsory for all ladies to cover their heads, please do so even if you are not married. For in that context, you have to submit to the authority of your church. To not do so is rebellion and God doesn’t like rebellion.
