1 Corinthians 11:11-16
11: However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.
12: For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God.
13: Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?
14: Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him,
15: but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering.
16: But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.
Continuing his discussion on head coverings, Paul said that this was the practice that all the other churches of God followed. If anyone disagreed with his explanation as to why they should be worn, then at least follow the practice to be in harmony with what the other churches were doing. We know that Paul was not one to just follow the crowd for he had spoken up against other issues, like circumcision, when he felt it was not of the Lord. However, in this case he felt it was important to follow the common practice of the churches.
Paul did make it clear though that in the Lord, spiritually speaking, the man and woman are not independent of each other. They both receive life from one another, while all things originate from God. One gender should not consider themselves better than the other. Again, it's not about worth or value, but occupying the position in the earth, and in the body, that the Lord has placed each one of us in.
Paul said to judge for themselves--look at what seemed to be instinctively proper both in practice and in nature—which was that it was more naturally accepted for women to have long hair and men short hair. Some today still see long hair as being a glory to women, while others may not. However, head coverings as a practice in the church today, are not as common as they were in Paul’s day, at least in some nations. In most cases, a man or woman would not be breaking the unity of the church by either wearing or not wearing a head covering while praying or prophesying.
The most important point, and what Paul wanted them to understand, was the reason for holding to this practice—a submission to God as the ultimate authority, and Jesus Christ as the Lord of all. The Lord wants His people to embrace whatever position He’s placed us in on the earth and submit to whatever authorities are over us in that position—family or otherwise. In addition, to remain in unity with the church as a whole, doing what we can to avoid confusion or misunderstandings. If every believer, every family, and every church would do that, we would all be much more effective for His kingdom and have greater unity, love, and joy among us.
12: For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God.
13: Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?
14: Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him,
15: but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering.
16: But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.
***
Continuing his discussion on head coverings, Paul said that this was the practice that all the other churches of God followed. If anyone disagreed with his explanation as to why they should be worn, then at least follow the practice to be in harmony with what the other churches were doing. We know that Paul was not one to just follow the crowd for he had spoken up against other issues, like circumcision, when he felt it was not of the Lord. However, in this case he felt it was important to follow the common practice of the churches.
Paul did make it clear though that in the Lord, spiritually speaking, the man and woman are not independent of each other. They both receive life from one another, while all things originate from God. One gender should not consider themselves better than the other. Again, it's not about worth or value, but occupying the position in the earth, and in the body, that the Lord has placed each one of us in.
Paul said to judge for themselves--look at what seemed to be instinctively proper both in practice and in nature—which was that it was more naturally accepted for women to have long hair and men short hair. Some today still see long hair as being a glory to women, while others may not. However, head coverings as a practice in the church today, are not as common as they were in Paul’s day, at least in some nations. In most cases, a man or woman would not be breaking the unity of the church by either wearing or not wearing a head covering while praying or prophesying.
The most important point, and what Paul wanted them to understand, was the reason for holding to this practice—a submission to God as the ultimate authority, and Jesus Christ as the Lord of all. The Lord wants His people to embrace whatever position He’s placed us in on the earth and submit to whatever authorities are over us in that position—family or otherwise. In addition, to remain in unity with the church as a whole, doing what we can to avoid confusion or misunderstandings. If every believer, every family, and every church would do that, we would all be much more effective for His kingdom and have greater unity, love, and joy among us.
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