1 Corinthians 11:2-10
2: Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.
3: But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.
4: Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head.
5: But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.
6: For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head.
7: For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.
8: For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man;
9: for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.
10: Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
Paul offered praise to the Corinthians for holding firmly to the traditions as he had delivered to them before he explained the practice of women wearing head coverings in public. This was the appropriate attire of the day for a wife to express an acknowledgement of her husband’s headship. Paul felt it was important for them to understand the purpose of this practice and to engage in it while understanding the concept behind it.
The practice of the headdress stems from an acknowledgement of the line of authority established by God. Just as Jesus is the essence of the Father—not created by Him but equally God, so is woman the essence of man—not created by him but equally human. Yet just as there is a line of authority in the Godhead—God is the head of Christ—we see that Christ is the head of man (all mankind), and the man (husband) is the head of the woman (wife). (See Ephesians 5:23). Christ is the mediator between the created and the Creator, so He is worthy of great honor.
Paul said it would be just as disgraceful for a wife to pray or prophesy with her head uncovered as it would be for her to do so with her head shaven, which was done as an act of purification or mourning. Remember that headship has to do with purpose and position, not worth or value. The woman was created for man as a helper and companion, and for the perpetuation of mankind. To step out of that position, and from under the authority placed over her by God, would be the same as rejecting the authority of God over her. The head-covering was a symbol of that submission and taking the position God has placed her in. The man, as well, needed to take his position with the uncovered head to show his submission to Christ.
Paul said to follow this practice because of the angels, who are created beings in submission to God, and to whom we should be an example of proper submission to God. They also carry His presence, messages, and often powerful gifts in various ways to humans.
3: But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.
4: Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head.
5: But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.
6: For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head.
7: For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.
8: For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man;
9: for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.
10: Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
***
Paul offered praise to the Corinthians for holding firmly to the traditions as he had delivered to them before he explained the practice of women wearing head coverings in public. This was the appropriate attire of the day for a wife to express an acknowledgement of her husband’s headship. Paul felt it was important for them to understand the purpose of this practice and to engage in it while understanding the concept behind it.
The practice of the headdress stems from an acknowledgement of the line of authority established by God. Just as Jesus is the essence of the Father—not created by Him but equally God, so is woman the essence of man—not created by him but equally human. Yet just as there is a line of authority in the Godhead—God is the head of Christ—we see that Christ is the head of man (all mankind), and the man (husband) is the head of the woman (wife). (See Ephesians 5:23). Christ is the mediator between the created and the Creator, so He is worthy of great honor.
Paul said it would be just as disgraceful for a wife to pray or prophesy with her head uncovered as it would be for her to do so with her head shaven, which was done as an act of purification or mourning. Remember that headship has to do with purpose and position, not worth or value. The woman was created for man as a helper and companion, and for the perpetuation of mankind. To step out of that position, and from under the authority placed over her by God, would be the same as rejecting the authority of God over her. The head-covering was a symbol of that submission and taking the position God has placed her in. The man, as well, needed to take his position with the uncovered head to show his submission to Christ.
Paul said to follow this practice because of the angels, who are created beings in submission to God, and to whom we should be an example of proper submission to God. They also carry His presence, messages, and often powerful gifts in various ways to humans.
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