No. 6
Ques. Why is it that a woman should cover her head if her hair is given to her for a covering?
Ans. 1 Cor. 11:3-16 is the passage of Scripture dealing with this question.
“But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered (that is, without a hat or veil, or some such covering) dishonoureth her head (that is, the man, see 1 Cor. 11:3)”, even as a man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head (that is, Christ) (1 Cor. 11:4-5).
The Apostle insists that if a woman be not covered (that is, wearing a hat), she should be shorn; then he remarks indignantly, “But if it be shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven (which it certainly is), let her be covered” (1 Cor. 11:6).
A woman wearing a hat or other covering is a sign of subjection, and this lesson is read by the angels.
“For this cause ought the woman to have power (or, a covering) on her head because of the angels” (1 Cor. 11:10). They are learning from the Church, and mark her ways, and if the woman in the assembly were to appear uncovered or shorn, they would be taught the lesson incorrectly (See Eph. 3:10). The Apostle closes this part of the subject with the simple appeal,
“Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?” (1 Cor. 11:13).
The case of Rebekah was referred to, as the example of a godly woman of old, who so beautifully manifested her subjection by her conduct and attitude. Though she had long hair, without a doubt, yet, in the presence of Isaac, “she took a vail, and covered herself” (Gen. 24:65). Do we not have the Holy Spirit’s commendation of such action in 1 Peter 3:3-6.
Another question is now brought up, Why should a woman have long hair?
“Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering” (1 Cor. 11:14-15). Both nature and revelation agree in teaching the propriety of a woman having long hair.
Never was there a day like the present for the Christian woman to manifest her obedience and submissiveness to the Word, in this matter. When the custom of cutting or “bobbing” the hair has swept well nigh the whole “civilized” world, there is indeed a grave danger of even Christian women being carried along with it, as is witnessed, alas, to our shame, by some even in our own gatherings who have adapted themselves to it, apparently unexercised about it, regardless of warnings, and with the consciousness of the unhappiness and grief brought to others through it. Is it for the sake of conformity to the world that they are willing to yield what God has given them, and called their “glory”?
Why should those who have been redeemed at the infinite cost of the precious blood of Christ, and placed under His Lordship, enslave themselves to the fickle tastes of this poor restless world? A woman with long hair today is a marked person—so well nigh universal is the opposite custom. More than once has a woman’s long hair identified her as a believer. Happy when this is so!
The women of the world care nothing for God’s order. Like the women of Judah in Isaiah’s day (Isa. 3:16-26), they are hastening the doom of the nations, by their lawlessness. Those who have experienced the grace of God, and who have come under the Lordship of Christ, should shun the ways of those around them, and seek to please their God. He beholds disorder in the world; let His holy eye behold decency and order in the assembly of His saints. It is important to realize that declension of soul is at the bottom of all in subjection to the Word of God.
“But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the assemblies of God” (1 Cor. 11:16).
To the indignant Apostle, this was the conclusion of the matter. May it be so likewise with each one of us!