head coverings study

Me and Teresa spent several hours yesterdAY studying 1 Corinthians 11.

We were looking at head coverings, and came to some different conclusions.

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*Verses are from 1 Cor 11 unless said otherwise*

*Please not that the word woman in KJV is sometimes translated wife in the ESV (used below)*

I Corinthians 11:4 + 5
4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife (KJV: woman) who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.

Please note that this chapter never mentions the bodily presence of men or women. It simply states that when a woman prays or prophecys (Prophecy according to 1 Corinthians 14:3 is, "edification, exhortation, and comfort") with her head uncovered, she dishonors her head. Thus, when a woman, prays, edifies, exhorts, or comforts, she should have her head covered. If she doesn’t, or the man does (have their heads covered), while praying or prophesying, they dishonor their head. Verses 8-12 describe the position of men and women. These verses, seem to be an interjection explaining why he even mentions coverings:

"8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God."

Please note also that the context of this passage, is NOT church.


What is the covering?!! It says: "For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. (be shaved KJV)" 1 Cor 11:6, "But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head." Verse 10: "for this cause ought the woman to have power (a sign of the husbands authority over his wife, or veil {Strong’s ref:1849}) on her head because of the angels". Verse 15 of this chapter describes the covering: "But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.". Verses 8-12 describe the position of men and women. These verses, seem to be an interjection explaining why he even mentions coverings, and to remind men that they are not better than the women:

"8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God."

Verse 13 and 14 answer, and directly correlate to vs. 6 and 7.

Vs 6: 6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head.

Vs 13: 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?

Vs 7: 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.

Vs 14: 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him,


Vs 4: 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head,


15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.

I guess, I have been studying this and I wonder why I even consider that the covering is something other than a woman’s long hair. It never says in the whole chapter that a woman’s hair should be covered. It says that her head should be covered. I see it now as the woman’s long hair as her covering. How long? Well that is what I see vs. 6 as talking about (in a complicated way). If a woman’s hair doesn’t cover her, she should be shaved. But it’s a shame for a woman to be shaved vs. 13 implies: " Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?" So, a woman’s hair should cover her (the word covering in vs. 15 means, "1) a covering thrown around, a wrapper 1a) a mantle 1b) a veil"). Paul calms any dispute about this in vs. 16: "But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."

Caleb