Head Covering Today
The head covering instructions for women to cover their heads when praying or prophesying are considered to be nonessential, secondary, or unimportant by the majority of Christians.
Of those Christians who say that women are obligated to cover their heads, most are quick to say that it’s not a matter of salvation. However, they do not supply a verse or scripture to back up the position that a woman’s salvation remains unaffected by the refusal (or neglect) to follow Paul’s admonitions.
The command for men not to cover their heads when praying or prophesying has been honored by virtually all denominations. On more than one occasion, I have personally witnessed scolding or rebuke to a man who wore his hat into a church building or did not remove his cap for prayer at a ball game or rodeo.
Let’s take a deeper look and try to uncover (pun intended) what we are supposed to discern about head covering in the Bible.
Puzzling to Me For Years
For years, it puzzled me why Paul spent 16 verses on the topic of head covering only to end the discussion with “but as to women, it doesn’t matter anyway” (my words, not Paul’s).
Really!
Make me read all that stuff, then tell me the woman’s hair is the covering!
It doesn’t take 16 verses to say, “Men don’t wear anything on your heads. Ladies, you’re just fine so long as you have hair.”
Isn’t what I wrote a whole lot shorter and far simpler to read and understand?
I sometimes pondered, “Why did Paul use half the chapter to write what can be said in two sentences”?
It was also peculiar that Paul placed the head covering rites immediately before the improprieties in partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Strange indeed for Chapter 11 to cover two subjects; one that doesn’t matter and the other of utmost importance.
Is it possible the head covering rules are a little more significant than we were taught?
I encourage you to approach the subject without relying too heavily upon any man (especially me!) but in reliance upon God for wisdom and understanding. He promises to give wisdom if we ask!
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6 NKJV
Why I Changed
For decades my opinion was that a woman has no obligation to wear an artificial covering on her head when praying or prophesying.
From time to time the question would come up in a Bible class or discussion.
In restudying the question, I would typically take about an hour to reread 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 (and skim a commentary or church pamphlet). I always concluded that it just didn’t make any difference.
Conveniently, this conclusion always matched what I already thought!
Believe it or not, I have identified close to a hundred different “reasons” for why head covering doesn’t matter.
This alone should raise a “red flag” in our minds.
“Reasons” People Give For Not Complying
Categorically, these excuses fall into the following general classifications but trust me, there are countless offshoots, splinters, and variations:
- Hair is the covering, thus no need for an external covering.
- Just a cultural tradition or custom, not a command, and thus no longer applicable.
- Anyone who believes head covering applies today is just being contentious.
- Mama was a faithful Christian and she didn’t wear anything.
- The notion that a woman has to wear something on her head is silly and doesn’t make sense. “If I don’t understand why, then I ain’t gonna do it!”
- In Christ there are neither male nor female, slave nor free, therefore all Christians are the same.
- Regardless of the correct answer, it’s NOT a matter of salvation.
- The feminist lens world view – women are equal to men. Therefore, it is wrong to single out women with a special requirement to wear a covering.
- Majoring in minors – female covering is an insignificant practice that majors in minors.
- We don’t practice the holy kiss, laying on hands, etc. If we aren’t going to do these, then women don’t have to wear a covering.
- Head covering in Corinth was to avoid looking like a prostitute.
- A wedding ring is a substitute for a head covering for married women today.
- I don’t know any Christian women that cover; We can’t all be wrong!
- The Dialogue theory.
- In Paul’s time, the woman’s hair was believed to be her testicles. With modern science, we now know better.
Yep, you read that last one correctly! The woman’s hair is her testicles.
As I said, there are a lot of potential justifications for the woman who doesn’t want to veil her head or the husband who doesn’t want his wife to cover her head.
For me, I just want the truth and the faith and conviction to accept it.
Do You Have Any Blind Spots or Biases?
In making an honest study of head covering, the first question that we need to ask is,“What is the answer that we hope to find”?
If we do not recognize our own internal biases and predispositions, then we are unable to guard against doing our own will as opposed to that of the Creator. The ways of a man (woman) seem right in their own sight. Proverbs 21:2
Why do Christians Ignore the Bible on this Subject?
Are Christians afraid of what others may think?
A woman may be concerned that others will see her as old-fashioned.
A married man may fear that people will see him as a controlling jerk! (She only covers because he coerces her).
The father of daughters may want to avoid the public criticism that he is “emotionally abusing” his daughters.
Others may fear being labeled as overly legalistic or self-righteous.
Some Jews in the days of Jesus refused to acknowledge Christ because they were afraid of being cast out of the synagogue. Today some may fear being ostracized by their local church.
Mentally Writing People Off Before Even Listening
I used to discount people who brought up head covering. I would mentally write them off as untaught or confused before listening. This was not a fair and objective search for truth, but rather me holding tightly to what I already believed.
This bias amounted to an unwillingness to genuinely search for the truth. I was happy to hold fast to the “truth” that I had “inherited” from my family and Christian friends.
The search for genuine truth requires brutal honesty that comes with a price. We have to ask ourselves, are we truly willing to pay the cost?
The task can be challenging (especially when we want to reach the conclusion that seems right in our own eyes)!
Moral Obligation
One of the things that I discovered in my studies (that I had never heard before) is that head covering involves a duty that is owed to God.
This aspect of duty is highly relevant to the proper understanding of 1st Corinthians Chapter 11 and equally critical for both men and women.
Sometimes our English words translated from Greek give us the wrong idea. Let’s look at some scripture.
“For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.” 1st Corinthians 11: 7-10 NKJV (Bold added)
Verses 7 and 10 use the word “ought.” I added bold highlights to these in the verses for you to see.
I had always read “ought” like it meant the better practice or something that might be a good idea.
Like the dentist telling me that I “ought” to floss and brush my teeth.
Sure, it makes sense and it’s probably good advice, but I have gone without flossing on many camping trips. (Keep this between you and me, my dentist doesn’t know!)
When you find out that “ought” involves a responsibility that you are expected to fulfill, the head covering directives take on a new significance.
In Greek, “ought” is defined: as to owe, be indebted, i.e., obligated to rectify a debt. The word encompasses our moral duty or responsibility to God. Strong’s Concordance 3784 [e]
Observe the word “ought” in 1st Corinthians 11:7-10 applies to both men and women – each sex has a distinct and different moral obligation. These requirements apply when praying or prophesying.
Duty is crucial to a proper understanding of 1st Corinthians11:1-16.
Knowing these instructions impose a moral obligation that we all owe to God should cause us to take our inquiry to a heightened level.
The awareness that God describes His expectations as a “duty” or something that men and women owe to Him should make us want to get the right answer.
What Comes to Mind When We Talk about Morality in the Scriptures?
Well, Christians have a moral obligation not to be arrogant or prideful, not to commit adultery, theft, fornication, homosexuality, covetousness, and the list goes on. The violation of these obligations is serious!
Romans 13:7 uses “opheilo” (the same word in 1st Corinthians 11:7-10 translated “ought”) when Paul tells the brethren to render therefore to all their due, taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, and honor to whom honor.
Notice the verse in Romans refers to paying the moral obligation that is owed (and not to withhold what is due). The text teaches that it is wrong in God’s eyes not to pay your taxes, not to give honor to those owed honor, etc.
A derivative word “opheile” is found in 1 Corinthians 7:3 regarding the conjugal duty or responsibility for husbands and wives in marriage. Each spouse owes a duty to satisfy the sexual needs of the other.
Not paying the debt or fulfilling the marital obligation is a sin. [Oh yeah! I know the “My body, My choice” crowd disagrees. ] The truth is that it’s not our body. We are, more or less, just tenants living in the body loaned to us until God says it’s time to move out.
When a Moral Obligation is Broken, the Bible Demands Repentance (or Change)
If you are living in fornication, stealing from people, lying to folks, or breaking the commands, then you have to change. A genuine Christian will not merrily continue in sin (not even that grace may abound). Romans 6:1
In 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, there is the responsibility on the part of men and women to comply with the specific instructions to each gender. Think of it like the moral responsibility of parents to feed their children. If you don’t feed your kids, then you are not meeting your moral duty.
Prayer and Prophesying Involve the Spiritual Realm
God and Jesus each sit on a throne in heaven. This is a spiritual world that we can not see.
The spirit realm is Holy, Sacred, and a place that we are only allowed because God graciously lets us come in.
When we enter into the presence of God, we must acknowledge our assigned station showing full deference to Jesus Christ, who sits at the right hand of God.
God selected a head covering as a symbol of our reverence.
In the secular world, we have a symbol of decorum that is required when a judge enters the courtroom. Everyone in the court stands to signify the judge holds a higher rank and to give honor to the office.
The failure to stand up is a sign of disrespect and shows dishonor to the judge (and also the legal system as a whole).
The military requires the person with the lower rank to come to attention with a salute when in the presence of an officer with greater authority. The action is a means of showing honor and respect.
The act of giving complete attention including the designated hand signal affirms the officer carries the higher rank. The salute acknowledges the lower status of the one giving the salute.
In both the courtroom and in the presence of a commanding officer, there is an obligation to show deference by the required signal.
Why Stand Up?
Why not just pat our heads and rub our tummies?
The “why” doesn’t matter. What matters is the observance of the rank and honor to the higher office.
Obedience without understanding serves to honor the position, even more.
I by no means wish to reduce or minimize the awe that we should have before God in prayer or prophesy with these secular illustrations. He is HOLY!
Upon entering the spiritual presence of the Most Holy, we are told to show a physical signal recognizing where we rank. The man is to remove any covering on his head. The woman is to place an external covering over her head. These are the signs that God chose!
Why Head Covering?
Just like standing up when the judge enters the courtroom, we don’t have to understand “why.”
God said it and that should be sufficient for us. However, the Bible gives us the reasons.
Through the Holy Spirit, God has shown us the theological significance behind appropriate head covering.
The bottom line is the Almighty has the right and authority to select any symbol or sign that He wants. He chose a head covering.
Men These Instructions Apply To You Too!
Fascinating to me personally – the text applies equally to both men and women. But, in our modern-day conversations about these instructions, the discussions always center on what it means for women in the church.
Do not miss the point that Paul first tells the men that it dishonors Christ to have their heads covered in prayer or prophesy.
The instruction that men must not cover their heads has been universally accepted across the church (and the various denominations that claim to follow Christ). The instruction to men against covering their heads is not viewed as a cultural practice applicable to only the Corinthians. Nor is the prohibition against men wearing a cap or hat seen as some horrific and oppressive discrimination against men.
Men, let me be loud and clear, covering your head dishonors Christ, who is your spiritual Head.
“Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.” 1st Corinthians 11:4 NKJV (Bold added)
Look carefully at verse 4, does this sound like something that doesn’t matter?
A man showing dishonor to his Head is serious and this should be a real concern for a man.
In the secular world, if a man dishonors or disrespects his supervisor, the job probably isn’t going to work out very well. Built into the fabric of every organization is some form of hierarchy founded upon respect, honor, and a recognition of authority. It’s obvious (and almost unspoken) that bringing dishonor to your boss will get you fired!
If we can see the significance of honor in the workplace, how can we possibly dismiss the importance of dishonoring Jesus Christ, the Head of man?
Every man will have to decide for himself, but I don’t want to risk dishonoring my Head, especially with something very easy to resolve like taking off my cap or my hat to pray.
As a man, do you want to stand before Christ on Judgment Day (with the full need for His cleansing blood) having dishonored Him all your life praying with a hat or cap on your head?
Not me!
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof rests with the person who claims there is no longer a reason to comply with the head covering ordinances.
What do I mean by this?
Simple actually. The directives for the appropriate head covering for men (and women) are found in 1 Corinthians 11:1-16. The language comes directly from the Holy Spirit.
Our analysis begins with the recognition that these commands are in the Bible.
Therefore, the instructions should be followed or obeyed absent a sound reason not to do it!
In short, the burden of proof rests with those who suggest that the head covering traditions no longer apply to us.
If we are going to ignore anything written in the Bible, then we should have a good reason for our actions.
Without a sound basis for not keeping the commands, then we have chosen to do what is right in our own eyes.
Head Covering is Foolishness!
Some argue that these head covering ideas are nonsense and complete foolishness!
Sorry to break the bad news, but as Christians, we are called to be fools!
Just a few chapters earlier in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, Paul has told the brethren that he came to them not with wisdom or excellent speech, but declaring the testimony of God.
Paul tells us that he speaks the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom of God – not the wisdom of this age. 1 Corinthians 2:6-7
He wraps up the end of Chapter 2 by stating:
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1st Corinthians 2:12-16 NKJV (Bold and Italics added)
The subject of wisdom continues in 1st Corinthians chapter 3:
“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” Therefore let no one boast in men.” 1st Corinthians 3:18-20 NKJV (Bold and Italics added)
Paul pointedly suggests that Christians should be careful to avoid the wisdom of men including the empty deceit that comes from the carnal man.
The Carnal Mind Does Not Understand Spiritual Truths
Spiritual truths cannot be understood by the wise of this age. Biblical wisdom does not make sense to the fleshly mind.
Paul is saying that the things that he gives us in 1st Corinthians come by way of the Holy Spirit. These things are God-breathed or inspired. This includes the apostolic traditions for the appropriate headdress.
Paul tells us the natural man does not receive these spiritual teachings (because they are foolishness to him). 1st Corinthians 2:14
Nor can the natural man know the spiritual things because they are spiritually discerned. 1st Corinthians 2:14
People Call Head Covering Sheer Nonsense, Silly, Funny to the Point of Laughter
I wonder if Paul foresaw that the wise and prudent of our day would find his writings so amusing and entertaining.
Sadly, some of those professing Christ disregard, discount, and also look for ways to distance themselves from the Bible’s teachings involving head covering, gender roles, and God’s authority.
Given the choice between appearing as a fool to the rest of the world (or dishonor to Christ, who died a cruel, savage death upon the cross for me) just label me a fool.
Correlation Between Women Who Cover and the Divorce Rate
Purely anecdotal (with the full disclosure that correlation does not equal causation):
As the use of coverings began to diminish, the rates of divorce went up.
(Full disclosure these facts have not been independently verified by me and the source): Biblical Research Reports.
A Few Thoughts
The culture today is filled with gender chaos.
A Justice seeking to serve on our United States Supreme Court could not define what a woman is.
Young boys are being encouraged to believe they can become women and likewise, our young girls are convinced they can transform into men.
Society encourages divorce, multiple marriages, and same-sex marriage, (placing remarkable emphasis on living life outside of the boundaries God has set).
Have we left the right path and if so, where did we first go wrong?
I would argue that refusing to demonstrate reverence for God in prayer and worship was the first step that has brought us to the point we are.
We stopped listening to Him.
The slippery slope downward is near maximum speed. If we continue, then total depravity will be upon us.
Head Covering Is a Safe Practice
There seems to be no one who argues that a woman wearing a covering during worship and prayer is sinning. Thus, the practice of a woman covering her head with an external covering appears to be safe. It shows reverence for our God, the Creator.
Paul Gave Praise for Keeping the Traditions of Head Covering
This praise was given in the face of many other sharp criticisms of the church at Corinth. But, he cheered and applauded they had continued with his head covering instructions. 1 Corinthians 11:2
Paul goes back to creation for the explanation of why head covering for a woman is important.
He explains the requirement for a woman to have a symbol of authority on her head is because of the angels. (Admittedly, the full details and the exact significance of angels being involved aren’t known.)
Christian Women Covered Their Heads for 2,000 Years
Church history points to a universal tradition of men not being covered (and women wearing an artificial covering) for over 2,000 years with the early church fathers contending that women’s hair was insufficient.
No one suggests that women’s fashions remained unchanged for two millenniums.
The previous 100 years show a marked shift in society in male/female roles.
The culture has moved away from the traditional belief that the man is the head of the wife. Today a significant portion of the population rejects male headship and calls for equality in rank in marriage.
These also call for equity in church leadership arguing women are qualified to lead.
Christians Must Yield in Every Aspect of Life
Humility and submission are prominent themes running through the Old and New Testaments with God demanding that there be repentance from pride and arrogance.
God requires yielding submission to Christ with surrender in every aspect of life including prayer.
The Bible uses symbols so that believers can demonstrate or show our faith, trust in God, and manifest obedience to God.
Just like the simplicity of baptism, (compliance with men not wearing a covering while women wear a covering) poses no physical challenge or difficult barrier to overcome.
The only seemingly difficult obstacle is the willingness to set aside pride and humbly accept what Paul teaches about reverence to God.
Interested in Learning More
Maybe you have some questions about head covering.
Is only a married woman supposed to cover her head in prayer?
Is there a specific location where head covering is to be done?
What if I just don’t understand the reason for head covering?
What’s the harm to anyone if I choose not to?
Is head covering sort of like a symbol of some kind?
Does head covering act like a light on a hill?
Possibly a wife has felt concern about dishonoring her husband by not wearing a head covering, but he doesn’t feel any dishonor by her not doing it?
These are all great questions that we will answer! The blog section covers a lot more!
Keep the Context and the Big Picture in View
As we look at any book of the Bible, it’s super important to look at the context of everything. 1st Corinthians is no different, we should not lose sight of the bigger picture.
Thank you for hearing my thoughts and I pray that God grants the wisdom for us to truly discern His ways, the courage to obey His will, the strength to repent of all our sins, and His grace to forgive the mistakes that have already been made.
God Bless!