1 Corinthians 11:3-163But 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. 4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. 5But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6For 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. 7For 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. 8For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. 13Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. (1 Corinthians 11:3‑16)
“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. 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. 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. 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. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman is of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man, for this cause ought the woman to have power on her head, because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 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 but if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.”
This is a subject in Scripture of great practical importance that many do not clearly understand. If God speaks in His Word on any subject, it must be because we need to know it. And when God has spoken, we should be ready to heed what He has said. Furthermore, it must be conceded that God is capable of making His meaning clear and plain beyond any doubt. If in any case we do not understand, it is quite probable that the trouble lies with us. Either we have not read it carefully; or we are prejudiced by some preconceived idea; or still worse, we do not see, because we are willful and do not want it to be that way.
Now in verse 3, the Spirit of God through the Apostle says that “the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” This then is God’s order of power. God has a place for each (man and woman) and surely it is not grievous to abide in that place. Man has his place as God’s representative on earth— “the image and glory of God.” The woman also has a distinctive place—not the place of prominence, but the place of subjection according to God’s order. She can, however, glorify God in her appointed place. Man can, and alas does, sadly fail in properly filling his place, but he is in it just the same. He should seek to act before God in his place, and she should be happy to fill hers. Each should deem it a privilege to occupy the place assigned by God.
God has established a certain order throughout His creation. Christian men and women are not to neglect this order, but to remember that they are a divinely appointed spectacle—yes, a spectacle even to angels (vs. 10). Angels are learning the wisdom of God, being spectators of His ways. The fact that they witness God’s ways down here, is also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 4:99For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. (1 Corinthians 4:9) and Ephesians 3:1010To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (Ephesians 3:10).
Now there is a very simple rule to follow that will demonstrate the place the man has. He is not to pray or prophesy (communicate the mind of God to others) with a covering on his head. To have his head covered, would spoil the demonstration before others of God’s appointed place for him. It would be the mark of his abandoning the place of authority, and would leave no visible head.
The rule for the woman is just as simple: she is not to pray or prophesy without having a covering on her head. If she prays without a covering on her head, she dishonors her head. It would be disorder, to be witnessed by angels. The covering on her head is the outward sign of her subjection. A sister’s prophesying, of course, is restricted by other scriptures. She must not do so in the assembly (1 Cor. 14:3434Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. (1 Corinthians 14:34)), neither is she to teach nor to usurp authority over the man (1 Tim. 2:1212But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:12)).
The fact that this simple direction about covering the head is generally disregarded in Christendom, does not excuse any from following it. Some turn this portion aside by ascribing its authorship to Paul; but the Spirit of God was the divine author, and Paul only the penman. He said that the things he wrote are “the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:3737If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 14:37)). If this be true, then it is a serious matter to resist them.
Listen to the strong language used:
“For if a woman be not covered, let her hair also be cut off. But if it be shameful to a woman to have her hair cut off, or to be shaved, let her be covered” (JND, vs. 6).
What woman would want her head shaved! She would be publicly disgraced and would hide herself. Well then, says the Word of God, Let her put a covering on her head when praying or prophesying.
(To be continued)