Are Head Coverings for Today?

Are Head Coverings for Today?

“Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for it is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, have her also cut her hair off; however, if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, have her cover her head. For a man should not have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. Therefore the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as the woman originated from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God. Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does even nature itself not 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 as a covering.” 1 Corinthians 11:4-5

This passage has caused confusion throughout the years. And it is still debated today. There are churches that insist that Paul is commanding that women cover their head in the church services. Other churches have said that this passage is related to the culture, and does not apply today. The verses used to support women covering their head in the church are as follows:

Verse 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."

Verse 11 “Therefore the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.”

These verses clearly present two options. A woman’s head should be shaved or it should be covered. We are also told that covering her head has something to do with authority. Some have approached the text this way:

1) If she has no covering, then a woman should shave her hair or cut it off.

2) It is a shame for a woman to be bald.

3) THEREFORE: Women should cover their head.

Some have concluded that Paul says women should cover their head. The practical application is that women should put something on their head during the worship service.

There are some elements in the text that I do not understand. In fact, I do not think anyone understand everything in this passage. Commentators disagree and some are silent in regard to the phrase “woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.” If there are confusing elements, we should not speculate. We can search other Scripture to help us clarify. If the other verses are no help, then we should focus on what we know. We also must consider the (1) context and (2) try to determine the understanding of what the text meant to the original reader. If not, we take a "me/now" hermeneutic and ignore the "form/essence" and the explicit/implicit elements of the text. We also err when we focus on the details and neglect the broader context.

We further fail if we fall into speculation of the meaning of a text. Our conclusions should always be derived, whenever possible, from the immediate text first. If this is not possible, then we could apply the Analogy of Scripture. If we find no answer there, then we can proceed to the Analogy of Faith. However, I think there are times we move too quickly. We should slow down and look at the details of a passage. Most often, the meaning and understanding is found in the immediate context. Given that there are no other verses in the Bible to explain this passage, we have no choice but to find our answer here or to plead ignorance.

There can be a tendency to focus on the confusing parts of a passage. This almost always leads to speculative interpretations and fanciful conclusions. When faced with a challenging text, we must remember that the clear passages interpret the unclear portions of Scripture. Rather than getting lost in the dark, we should shine light on the shadows. Or to say this another way, we should focus on what we know to be true and on what is clear, rather than falling into the dark pit of what is not clear.

Let us start with the syntactical diagram of the passage. From this analysis, we should be able to come to a conclusion of the main point and theme of the passage.

(Now)

I praise you

because you remember me

in everything

and

hold firmly to the traditions,

just as I handed them down to you.

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.

Every man who has something on his head

(while praying or prophesying)

disgraces his head.

But every woman who has her head uncovered

(while praying or prophesying)

disgraces her head

for it is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.

For if a woman does not cover her head

have her also cut her hair off;

however,

if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off

or her head shaved,

have her cover her head.

For a man should not have his head covered

since he is the image and glory of God;

but the woman is the glory of man.

For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man;

for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake,

Therefore the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head,

(because of the angels)

However: (in the Lord,)

neither is woman independent of man,

nor is man independent of woman.

(For as the woman originated from the man,

so also the man has his birth through the woman;

and all things originate from God.)

Judge for yourselves:

is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?

Does even nature itself not 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 as a covering.

(But if anyone is inclined to be contentious,

we have no such practice

nor have the churches of God.)

Without speculation, let us stay with what the text clearly says.

1) It is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved.

2) Man was not created for the woman, but the woman was created for the man.

3) Does even nature itself not teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him.

4) If a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her.

KEY: For her hair is given to her as a covering.

Conclusion:

“Have her cover her head, for her hair is given to her as a covering.”

Looking at the text, we can see that it is normal for men to have short hair. It is normal and even glorious for a woman to have long hair. A woman with short hair would look like a man, and a man with long hair would look like a woman. Given that the main point that Paul is addressing is authority, a woman with long hair shows she is under the authority and is respectful to her husband. A woman, with short hair, has the appearance of going against the natural order and of being rebellious. Women should cover their head and not have their hair cut off or their heads shaved. Long hair is given to her as a covering for her head. Women should grow their hair long to cover their heads.