1 Corinthians 11 1-16 Should women wear prayer veils?

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In 1 Corinthians 11 1-16 the apostle Paul discusses women wearing prayer veils. Should women wear prayer veils? After much research and prayer, I was moved by the Spirit that half a chapter of Holy Scripture should not be ignored or treated as “incidental” and not preached by the churches.

What are some of the common arguments heard against women wearing prayer veils in the church? One of the most common is that the women’s hair is their covering. Another is that it was a custom of the time and not a principle. Let’s discuss these one at a time.

Many read only one verse v.15 out of the entire 16 verses and decide that women's hair is their covering, but such an interpretation would contradict itself and make the entire scripture nonsense.

Let’s take a closer look about what I am referring to. If her hair has been given to her as a natural covering verse 15 then in verse 5 why would it read if her head is uncovered meaning "bald" let her be more bald? See the contradiction to such an interpretation? Obviously, two different types of coverings are being discussed here. One is her hair, her natural covering for the outside world and her veil inside the church.

1 Corinthians 11:1-16 (KJV)
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 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.
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.
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

When we read scripture, we tend to come to the scriptures with natural biases whether we realize it or not. We currently live in a post-feminist society. This world view has also infiltrated into the churches. It is difficult in our current society to interpret certain scripture when it goes against what societal norms and dictates. In our post-feminist society women wearing prayer veils would be considered sexist. Yet, so would many other teachings of the bible such as Pastors being men and the divine order discussed not only here 1 Corinthians but throughout the bible.

A veil may be whatever covering is customary for the day, other than hair. As long as the woman's head is covered is what the Apostle Paul was driving home in this half a chapter of Holy scripture regarding the topic. I try not to be dogmatic about what type of head covering it should be.

As I stated earlier another common argument against head coverings is that it was a custom at the time and does not apply to us today.

Principles are those commands God that apply to all people at all time in every culture and in every life situation.

Customs are those things that are variant local applications of principles.

For example, in the NT the principle of tithing was there and in those days it was done in the Denarius or the Shekel. Does that mean that the only way we can please God today is by paying our tithes in Denarius or Shekel? Of course not! The monetary unit was customary the clothing styles those are the things that are subject to change from culture to culture from place to place. The principle of modesty applies to all generations, but how that modesty is manifested will differ from one country to another and from one time to another. We understand that those things are customary. Many times, distinguishing between custom and principles is a relatively easy matter, but not always sometimes it is excruciatingly difficult to make that distinction.

Here is the Principle to apply if you can't decide if something is a custom or principle. The biblical principle would be whatever is not of faith is a sin. The burden of proof is always going to be on those who argue that such and such a command is custom and not principle. If you are not sure then the principle that applies is treat it as a principle, because if you treat a custom as a principle then the only guilt you bear is being overly scrupulous, but if you take a principle of God and treat it as a local custom and don't observe it you have sinned against God.

Every serious student of the Word of God first seeks to discover its meaning and standards and then, and only then, to bring practice into conformity with it. Biblical principles determine Biblical practice.


It would appear the church had a rich history of veiling for women up until the feminist movement launched a specific attack against the practice.

It was the "meaning" of this act that the feminist movement took offense to as does our current day society regarding "male headship in the home & church," which is God's order of creation that the Apostle Paul touched on in several of his epistles.

Excerpt used for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY: from Gardiner, Jeremy. Head Covering: A Forgotten Christian Practice for Modern Times Head Covering Movement. Kindle Edition.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is a feminist organization founded by Betty Friedan (author of The Feminist Mystique). In 1968 they rallied their troops to have a “national unveiling.” Here’s what they said: “Because the wearing of a head covering by women at religious services is a symbol of subjection with many churches, NOW recommends that all chapters undertake an effort to have all women participate in a "national unveiling" by sending their head coverings to the task force chairman. At the spring meeting of the task force of women and religion, these veils will be publicly burned to protest the second class status of women in all churches.” [25] NOW rallied their various chapters to “undertake an effort” to stop the practice of head covering. They were so disgusted with the symbol and what it represented that they had a public burning of women’s veils. Sadly, their efforts achieved what they hoped it would.

I do believe that in regards to women wearing a prayer veil that it should not be "required" by the church since that would make it to no "effect," because the biblical principle here is "voluntary submission." As a Pastor, I believe I am required to preach the "whole" word of God to the congregation and let the women in the congregation make their own personal "choice" on the matter as to be in proper fellowship with the Lord. Basically, I believe I am held accountable for preaching it, but they are held accountable for its execution.
When one of us believers reads the entirety of 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, several spiritual points manifest.

1) This passage is primarily about headship.

2) the word "submission" does not appear in the passage.

3) the word "principle" fails to appear in the passage.

4) the word "custom" actually appears in the passage.

You assert that the "principle" be drawn out, but Paul specifically states "we have no such custom" (1 Corinthians 11:16). You say "principle", but the Apostle wrote "custom". You attempt to draw "principle" out of that which Paul terms "custom".

The Apostle Paul wrote the passage about headship while including the message that women are not required nor to draw a "principle" to veil with a garment in 1 Corinthians 11:1-16,

He progresses through a discourse to the Corinthians for which he provides no historical context as to whether the Corinthians were encountering some problem for him to bring it up, yet He culiminates the passage very clearly.

Let's step through some of the culmination.

VERSE 12:

Paul wrote "For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man [has his birth] through the woman; and all things originate from God" (1 Corinthians 11:12).

Paul is narrowing the focus to God. His enumeration in verse 12 culiminates with "all things originate from God".

VERSE 15:

Paul wrote "if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her. For her hair is given to her for a covering" (1 Corinthians 11:15).

A glory is not dishonor. Paul mentions dishonor/disgrace for a woman to pray uncovered in verses five and six.

Paul is writing about a woman's head covering, switching between a veil/garment/clothing and hair throughout the passage of 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; however, he is not separating purpose.

Notice that Paul wrote "the man is the head of a woman" in verse 2, and "every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying dishonors her head" in verse 3.

Paul integrates this dishonor versus honor concept and the glory concept as a single thing, so it is important to remeber that Paul does NOT separate "submission" and "glory".

"Her hair is given to her for a covering"

This clause is HUGE. The English "for" in the clause is translated from the Greek "anti". The NASB and ESV and KJV translations use the word "for". The Greek anti means "in place of" thus the English "for" functions accurately in 1 Corinthians 11:15.

For the woman, her long hair is a glory to her.

VERSE 16:

Paul wrote "we have no such custom, neither the assemblies of God" (1 Corinthians 11:16).

These are the concluding words of the passage ? the passage presented by the original poster.

These are the culminating words of the passage.

"we have no such custom" is written about women's head coverings, and the verse culiminates the passage. It is a precise statement by Paul.

A woman need not put a garment/clothing/veil on her head to pray, so says the Apostle Paul.

It is wicked for a men to burden a woman especially unscripturally.
 
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Strong in Him

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In 1 Corinthians 11 1-16 the apostle Paul discusses women wearing prayer veils. Should women wear prayer veils?

No; but if a woman wants to/feels convicted to/feels that it helps her, she may.
She should not receive criticism for doing so, while those who don't cover their heads should not receive criticism for not.

After much research and prayer, I was moved by the Spirit that half a chapter of Holy Scripture should not be ignored or treated as “incidental” and not preached by the churches.

Fine. As long as you preach the whole of that passage and address the question of long hair in men - how long is long - and men who do cover their heads, i.e Bishops with mitres.?

Otherwise you are just singling out women, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to be selective in your preaching of Scripture.

Many read only one verse v.15 out of the entire 16 verses and decide that women's hair is their covering, but such an interpretation would contradict itself and make the entire scripture nonsense.

Yes, that's what happens when people use proof texts or take Scripture out of context.

A veil may be whatever covering is customary for the day, other than hair. As long as the woman's head is covered is what the Apostle Paul was driving home in this half a chapter of Holy scripture regarding the topic.

Maybe in that society it was preferable; but much of this chapter is not true today.
For example, it is not considered disgraceful for men to have long hair. It may look wrong or be unhygienic, but it is not a disgrace. If men felt shamed by having long hair, they'd cut it; simple.
It is also not disgraceful for a woman to have no hair. I don't think any of us would choose that, but some have lost their hair through alopecia or chemotherapy. In those cases, it is not a disgrace if a woman leaves her head bald instead of covering with a wig. Some have done so, look beautiful and are admired for their bravery and openness.

Principles are those commands God that apply to all people at all time in every culture and in every life situation.

This isn't a command from God.
If it was, it would have been preached in every church. Jesus would have preached it too, and condemned the woman who anointed him and washed his feet with her hair.

Here is the Principle to apply if you can't decide if something is a custom or principle. The biblical principle would be whatever is not of faith is a sin. The burden of proof is always going to be on those who argue that such and such a command is custom and not principle. If you are not sure then the principle that applies is treat it as a principle, because if you treat a custom as a principle then the only guilt you bear is being overly scrupulous, but if you take a principle of God and treat it as a local custom and don't observe it you have sinned against God.

I guess that makes sense if you really aren't sure, and are paralysed by indecision.
Personally, I'm sure that this is a custom and not a divine command that we are expected to follow.
Paul had no idea the church would still be around almost 2000 years after his death - they expected the Lord's return in their lifetime. If he'd thought it might be, he, the Holy Spirit, or both, could have made it very clear that this was a command that would apply to all cultures and societies until the end of the world - yet, they don't.

As a Pastor, I believe I am required to preach the "whole" word of God to the congregation and let the women in the congregation make their own personal "choice" on the matter as to be in proper fellowship with the Lord. Basically, I believe I am held accountable for preaching it, but they are held accountable for its execution.

So do you preach the WHOLE word of God in this passage - which is also about men and their hair length/coverings too? Why is this thread only about women, with the implication that women need to get back to obeying this "command", but with no word about the men?

Incidentally, maybe you could explain 1 Corinthians 11:10, while we're here; because I don't understand it at all.
 
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I’ve used them while praying at home and wore a head covering for a year. One person asked if I was in mourning and another openly admitted their discomfort. I was attending an evangelical church at the time.

I think it’s a personal decision or a practice that’s borne from spiritual conviction. The latter was my case.

~Bella
How can you have spiritual conviction when what you are doing is unbiblical and out of context. A woman's covering was her hair. Not a fabric going over her head. Prostitutes used to shave their heads and thus how its shameful for a woman not to cover her head, and shameful for a man to cover his. Context context context.
 
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How can you have spiritual conviction when what you are doing is unbiblical and out of context. A woman's covering was her hair. Not a fabric going over her head. Prostitutes used to shave their heads and thus how its shameful for a woman not to cover her head, and shameful for a man to cover his. Context context context.

My directive came from the Lord. If you want to debate why He asks some to do things and not others you are welcome to address it in prayer or open you bible to find numerous examples instead.

~Bella
 
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My directive came from the Lord. If you want to debate why He asks some to do things and not others you are welcome to address it in prayer or open you bible to find numerous examples instead.

~Bella
I just laugh when people who say "Gold told me" and think they don't need the Bible because they got the inside source. Here let me expose those lies with Hebrews 1:1. Yeah, no. God didn't tell you anything.
 
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No; but if a woman wants to/feels convicted to/feels that it helps her, she may.
She should not receive criticism for doing so, while those who don't cover their heads should not receive criticism for not.



Fine. As long as you preach the whole of that passage and address the question of long hair in men - how long is long - and men who do cover their heads, i.e Bishops with mitres.?

Otherwise you are just singling out women, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to be selective in your preaching of Scripture.



Yes, that's what happens when people use proof texts or take Scripture out of context.



Maybe in that society it was preferable; but much of this chapter is not true today.
For example, it is not considered disgraceful for men to have long hair. It may look wrong or be unhygienic, but it is not a disgrace. If men felt shamed by having long hair, they'd cut it; simple.
It is also not disgraceful for a woman to have no hair. I don't think any of us would choose that, but some have lost their hair through alopecia or chemotherapy. In those cases, it is not a disgrace if a woman leaves her head bald instead of covering with a wig. Some have done so, look beautiful and are admired for their bravery and openness.



This isn't a command from God.
If it was, it would have been preached in every church. Jesus would have preached it too, and condemned the woman who anointed him and washed his feet with her hair.



I guess that makes sense if you really aren't sure, and are paralysed by indecision.
Personally, I'm sure that this is a custom and not a divine command that we are expected to follow.
Paul had no idea the church would still be around almost 2000 years after his death - they expected the Lord's return in their lifetime. If he'd thought it might be, he, the Holy Spirit, or both, could have made it very clear that this was a command that would apply to all cultures and societies until the end of the world - yet, they don't.



So do you preach the WHOLE word of God in this passage - which is also about men and their hair length/coverings too? Why is this thread only about women, with the implication that women need to get back to obeying this "command", but with no word about the men?

Incidentally, maybe you could explain 1 Corinthians 11:10, while we're here; because I don't understand it at all.

Briliant post
 
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A woman's covering was her hair. .

1 Corinthians 11:1-16 (KJV)
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 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.
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.
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.



Two points seem to be the most significant:
(1) No word for veil occurs in vv 2-14. Thus, that the hair is regarded by Paul as a veil in v 15 is not necessarily an argument that the hair is the same as the head covering that he is describing in these verses.
(2) Throughout this periscope, Paul points out the similarities of long hair with a head covering. But his doing so strongly suggests that the two are not to be identified. Precisely because they are similar, they are not identical. Note the following verses.

11:5-- “but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered disgraces her head--it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved.”
11:6-- “For if a woman will not cover herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, she should keep it covered.
11:7-- “For a man ought not to cover his head . . .”
11:10-- “For this reason a woman ought to have [a symbol of] authority on her head”
11:13-- “Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?”
11:15-- “but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory . . .”

Several points can be made here.
(1) If ‘covering’ = ‘hair,’ then all men should shave their heads or go bald because the men are to have their heads uncovered.
(2) If ‘covering’ = ‘long hair,’ then v 6 seems to suggest a tautology: “if a woman will not wear long hair, then she should cut off her hair.” But this in no way advances the argument.
(3) The argument caves in by its own subtlety. To see ‘hair’ = ‘head covering’ means that one has to go through several exegetical hoops. In short, it hardly appears to be the plain meaning of the text.
(4) Verses 10 and 15 would have to be saying the same thing if long hair is the same as a head covering. But this can hardly be the case. In v 10, a woman is required to wear a ‘symbol of authority.’ Such a symbol represents her submission, not her glory.

To argue, then, that long hair is the woman’s head covering seems to miss the very point of the function of the head covering and of the long hair: one shows her submission while the other shows her glory. Both of these are contrasted with an uncovered head while praying or prophesying, or a shaved head at any time: such would speak of the woman’s humiliation and shame.
 
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1 Corinthians 11:1-16 (KJV)
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 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.
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.
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.



Two points seem to be the most significant:
(1) No word for veil occurs in vv 2-14. Thus, that the hair is regarded by Paul as a veil in v 15 is not necessarily an argument that the hair is the same as the head covering that he is describing in these verses.
(2) Throughout this periscope, Paul points out the similarities of long hair with a head covering. But his doing so strongly suggests that the two are not to be identified. Precisely because they are similar, they are not identical. Note the following verses.

11:5-- “but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered disgraces her head--it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved.”
11:6-- “For if a woman will not cover herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, she should keep it covered.
11:7-- “For a man ought not to cover his head . . .”
11:10-- “For this reason a woman ought to have [a symbol of] authority on her head”
11:13-- “Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?”
11:15-- “but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory . . .”

Several points can be made here.
(1) If ‘covering’ = ‘hair,’ then all men should shave their heads or go bald because the men are to have their heads uncovered.
(2) If ‘covering’ = ‘long hair,’ then v 6 seems to suggest a tautology: “if a woman will not wear long hair, then she should cut off her hair.” But this in no way advances the argument.
(3) The argument caves in by its own subtlety. To see ‘hair’ = ‘head covering’ means that one has to go through several exegetical hoops. In short, it hardly appears to be the plain meaning of the text.
(4) Verses 10 and 15 would have to be saying the same thing if long hair is the same as a head covering. But this can hardly be the case. In v 10, a woman is required to wear a ‘symbol of authority.’ Such a symbol represents her submission, not her glory.

To argue, then, that long hair is the woman’s head covering seems to miss the very point of the function of the head covering and of the long hair: one shows her submission while the other shows her glory. Both of these are contrasted with an uncovered head while praying or prophesying, or a shaved head at any time: such would speak of the woman’s humiliation and shame.

I never said long hair.

I said her hair is her covering. Its not hard to figure that out. I am not here to argue, I only stated my belief.
 
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...As a Pastor, I believe I am required to preach the "whole" word of God to the congregation and let the women in the congregation make their own personal "choice" on the matter as to be in proper fellowship with the Lord. ...

I think that is good principle, to teach what is said and allow people to make their own choice.

Judge for yourselves. Is it appropriate that a woman pray to God unveiled? Doesn't even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering. But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering.
1 Cor. 11:13-16

I think it is nice that this is not something that is required for salvation and we can judge by ourselves. I think, if long hair on woman is glory to her, it is not necessary to cover it, and it would be better not to cut it off. But I would allow people to decide this freely by themselves, as also Paul did.
 
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I think that is good principle, to teach what is said and allow people to make their own choice.

Judge for yourselves. Is it appropriate that a woman pray to God unveiled? Doesn't even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering. But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering.
1 Cor. 11:13-16

I think it is nice that this is not something that is required for salvation and we can judge by ourselves. I think, if long hair on woman is glory to her, it is not necessary to cover it, and it would be better not to cut it off. But I would allow people to decide this freely by themselves, as also Paul did.
You have to read the ENTIRE 16 verses to put that into context. Not just "judge for yourselves." Strange how people don't want to read the obvious? Would the Apostle Paul carefully craft half a chapter of Holy Writ to then knock it down carelessly at the very end? It is just AMAZING to me how much people fight and balk against this scripture. If people resist scripture here they will resist other scripture.

People make ALL sorts of excuses against 1 Corinthians 11. How hard is it to cover while praying? I mean really Jesus died on the Cross which was much harder to be crucified.
 
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If you feel called to wear a head covering wear one.
To not do so is not of faith.
Romans 14:23
for whatever is not from faith is sin.


If you don't feel called to wear a head covering, don't.
Wearing one would be done in legalism.
and again for whatever is not from faith is sin.

It has nothing to do with how hard or not something is.

Romans 14
4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
 
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a-lily-of-peace

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“How hard is it to cover while praying” depends on how literally you take “pray without ceasing” and I say this as someone who attends a church where it is custom for women to wear head coverings.

The reverse also being true, if a man is working in the fields in the sun with a straw hat on, should he not be praying at all?
 
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SeamusDelion

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I wish people would do background study to gain context. The woman's hair was her covering and it was SHAMEFUL IF SHE SHAVED HER HEAD LIKE THE HOOKERS DID IN THAT TIME !

Just like it was shameful for a man to grow out his hair unless he was a nazerite. But only john the Baptist was a nazerite.
 
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JulieB67

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We are missing the key issue of just what Paul is talking about in these verses.

If one has read the entire bible, which I assume we all have or we wouldn't be here discussing this, the most important verse here is the one no one is talking about.


3 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.

Paul is stating, that the head of every man is Christ and the head of the woman is the man and the head of Christ is God. Meaning that women should have Christ over her head as well. Why more importantly is the woman discussed as having her head covered?

10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

This is the second most important verse that only one person mentioned.

We've read that the angels (sons of God) were here before and found the daughters of men fair in Gen 6 and took them for wives. Although I realize some do not believe this but Christ says it will be just like that in the end times as was in the days of Noah (they were giving and taking in marriage)

And Satan and the fallen angels will be back again. And Paul is warning that's why women need to have Christ over their head.

Paul is using symbolism here.

13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.


Incidentally, maybe you could explain 1 Corinthians 11:10, while we're here; because I don't understand it at all.

Because as Christ teaches in the gospels it will be just like the days of Noah during the end times. What was happening? The Sons of God (fallen angels described in Jude) found the daughters of men fair and took them as wives. We are to have the true Christ over our head.

Satan and his will be kicked out once again during the end times.

I know we all have different beliefs on the end times, Gen 6, fallen angels, etc. and this isn't the thread for those discussions. But the verses I posted should stand out and why.
 
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Strong in Him

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You have to read the ENTIRE 16 verses to put that into context.

Apart from the fact that nothing in this passage says that these words are a command from God, and will apply forever, the passage raises questions which never seem to get answered.

1. Paul says that a man ought not to cover his head since he is the image and glory of God, 1 Corinthians 11:7. What does that mean? Genesis 1:27 says that God created men and women in his image. And how does wearing something on your head affect God's glory?
2. Paul says "for this reason, and because of the angels, a woman should have a sign of authority on her head". What does that mean? Does God not hear our prayers if we do not have our heads covered? Why, "because of the angels"? Psalms 8:5 says that we have been made a little lower than the angels; 1 Corinthians 6:3 says that we shall judge angels. Are angels somehow offended if they look at women without a hat on? Trust me, they've seen me wearing less than that!
3. Paul says that if a woman does not cover her head she should cut her hair off, and says that long hair is a woman's glory. It seems that, in those days, it was disgraceful for a woman to have short hair - if a woman didn't want the indignity of cutting her hair off, she should cover her head. But short hair on a woman is not considered disgraceful today - and I have never heard a church Minister suggest otherwise.

It is just AMAZING to me how much people fight and balk against this scripture.

It's amazing to me how many people just focus on the woman in this passage of Scripture.
We are told;
- every man who prays with his head covered dishonours his head. Like someone else said, if a man is working and wearing a straw hat on a hot day then is he not allowed to pray while he is working? And what about clergy who wear head coverings?
- it is disgraceful for a man to have long hair (v14). So how long is long? Maybe you guys had better all shave your heads in case your hair grows to a certain length and we find out that the apostle Paul would have considered that to be too long. How are you holding up during lockdown, without hairdressers?

Not only that; as I have said, I see nothing in this passage which says these things are commands for all time.
 
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Because as Christ teaches in the gospels it will be just like the days of Noah during the end times. What was happening? The Sons of God (fallen angels described in Jude) found the daughters of men fair and took them as wives. We are to have the true Christ over our head.

1. That doesn't make sense.
Men were sinning by taking women as their wives, so women have to cover their heads? Why? How will that stop them?
2. There is nothing to suggest that we can only interpret this passage by looking at what was written in the Gospels. This letter to the Corinthians was written several years before the Gospels.
3. Paul seems to be using the word "head" in 2 different ways.
If by "head" he had just meant, 'authority', he would not talk about hair length and covering the head.
He would have plainly said "if women submit to Christ, they are protected/covered by him."
Just as he says in Romans 4:7 that our sins are covered by God, or as both James, and Peter, say that love covers a multitude of sins.
 
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JulieB67

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You're missing my point about the verse about the angels.

A woman's hair is her covering but her spiritual covering (power) is the true Christ -because of the angels. He is the head for the man and the woman, but women are to have the true Christ over their head because of the angels and we see why in the rest of the bible.
 
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SeamusDelion

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Apart from the fact that nothing in this passage says that these words are a command from God, and will apply forever, the passage raises questions which never seem to get answered.

1. Paul says that a man ought not to cover his head since he is the image and glory of God, 1 Corinthians 11:7. What does that mean? Genesis 1:27 says that God created men and women in his image. And how does wearing something on your head affect God's glory?
2. Paul says "for this reason, and because of the angels, a woman should have a sign of authority on her head". What does that mean? Does God not hear our prayers if we do not have our heads covered? Why, "because of the angels"? Psalms 8:5 says that we have been made a little lower than the angels; 1 Corinthians 6:3 says that we shall judge angels. Are angels somehow offended if they look at women without a hat on? Trust me, they've seen me wearing less than that!
3. Paul says that if a woman does not cover her head she should cut her hair off, and says that long hair is a woman's glory. It seems that, in those days, it was disgraceful for a woman to have short hair - if a woman didn't want the indignity of cutting her hair off, she should cover her head. But short hair on a woman is not considered disgraceful today - and I have never heard a church Minister suggest otherwise.



It's amazing to me how many people just focus on the woman in this passage of Scripture.
We are told;
- every man who prays with his head covered dishonours his head. Like someone else said, if a man is working and wearing a straw hat on a hot day then is he not allowed to pray while he is working? And what about clergy who wear head coverings?
- it is disgraceful for a man to have long hair (v14). So how long is long? Maybe you guys had better all shave your heads in case your hair grows to a certain length and we find out that the apostle Paul would have considered that to be too long. How are you holding up during lockdown, without hairdressers?

Not only that; as I have said, I see nothing in this passage which says these things are commands for all time.


I keep saying the hair is her covering because HOOKERS shaved their heads. Hence why its shameful for a man (imitating the image of woman) to grow out his hair, and cover his head.

So many people take this way out of context, like the Pentecostals. they are the only ones who even ware coverings.
 
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Strong in Him

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I keep saying the hair is her covering because HOOKERS shaved their heads. Hence why its shameful for a man (imitating the image of woman) to grow out his hair, and cover his head.

I know.
I was answering Senior Pastor who says that we should read the whole chapter in context, yet seems to focus only on the verses within the passage which tell women to cover their heads.

My argument was that if people believe this is literal teaching and/or a command for today, they have to address ALL the chapter - which includes instruction to men on the length of their hair - and not just post select verses and say "Scripture says women have to cover their heads."
 
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You have to read the ENTIRE 16 verses...
...People make ALL sorts of excuses against 1 Corinthians 11. How hard is it to cover while praying? I mean really Jesus died on the Cross which was much harder to be crucified.

I agree that whole Bible should be read and I think it is wrong when people make all kind of excuses. I think that hair issue is not the worst excuse issue. There are lot of real commandments that people ignore and explain that they don’t have to live according to God’s laws. But, that doesn’t change that Paul said “Judge for yourselves”. I think that gives the freedom in that matter.
 
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