1 Corinthians 11:3-163But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. 5But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 7For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. 13Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. (1 Corinthians 11:3‑16)
The Apostle, by the Spirit, went back to the creation to establish God’s order from the beginning. The order and purpose of the creation is set forth as the grounds for woman’s subjection to man (vss. 8-9). Then in verses 14 and 15 he appeals to what we learn from observing nature. This shows the appropriateness of a woman having her head covered when praying. Nature teaches that long hair is a glory to a woman (how sad when Christian women cut it to be like the world) and signified a certain place of retirement. She was not to show herself with the boldness of men. Her hair was given her “in lieu of a veil” (JND vs. 15). It marked a retiring, subordinate place in God’s creation. This was God’s doing and has its own blessing where it is not set aside by the will of men. We must remember that in the “new creation” there is neither male nor female, but all are one in Christ Jesus. That, however, is not the point here, but the respective places of each in this world before the eyes of others—even of angels.
Some in resisting Scripture, have wrested it by seeking to prove that a woman’s hair is the covering that is required. The attempt to misuse the divine instruction, should be so plain as to scarcely deserve comment. But for some who may have been misled by this strange twisting, it is well to call attention to some points. If a woman’s covering could be deduced to mean her hair, then a man’s hair would be his covering also. Now this evidently could not be the meaning in his case. What man would have his head shaved to be devoid of a covering. Even nature indicates only “short hair” for him. And he, who is supposed to have “short hair,” is not “to cover his head” when speaking to God or for God.
“For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God” (vs. 7).
How could “not to cover” possibly mean to not let his hair grow long like a woman’s when praying? The words of this verse express action or lack of action at the time of prayer. It is an act which he is not to do when praying. He may cover his head at other times, but these instructions refer to the time of “praying or prophesying.” How could anyone think otherwise? Therefore, we see that in a man’s case, his hair is not the covering spoken of; he is not to put a hat, or other covering on his head at this designated time.
Notice again the sixth verse: To make a woman’s hair her covering, instead of a hat or some other object, would make something quite ridiculous out of it. Such reasoning would make that verse say that if a woman did not have any hair on her head, then her hair was to be cut off—an obvious impossibility. The folly of seeking to prove that a woman’s hair is her covering, should be apparent. In verse 15 it should read, “in lieu of a veil.” Her long hair simply marked in nature a certain subordinate, retiring place.
Some in Christendom have written, in an effort to turn aside the plain directions, by saying that it means “her long hair” is the covering, and that it simply amounts to a ban against having her hair bobbed. Now, it is sad when a Christian woman bobs her glory, and in doing so is “conformed to this world.” But how could she have bobbed hair the rest of the time, and make it long when praying? It is a question of her showing and acknowledging her divinely appointed place when speaking to God or for God. This is to be done by placing a covering on her head at that time. Obviously if she has long hair all the time, there is still something to be done when praying. As we noticed in the case of a man, God spoke specifically about an act not to be done at the time of prayer. A woman already has a place of retirement in nature, already has long hair which marks her position, and now is to place a covering on her head to signify her subjection in that place. Is not that simple enough? For her to be without a covering, would be sign of her having taken the place of authority, and having left her own position. It would be confusion of God’s order, witnessed by angels. God has gone to great lengths to show the reasons for such a rule. Why should any labor to make something else out of it? It is to be feared that the refusal to show the outward mark of subordination, is merely the indication that the God-given place itself is refused.
Ever since Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden, aspired to be “as gods” and fell, self-exaltation has been one of the worst weeds in the human heart. The first couple were not content with their lot, and seeking to exalt themselves, brought in ruin and misery. Blessed contrast in the second Man—the Lord from heaven! He humbled Himself to the very depths, and now God has highly exalted Him (See Phil. 2). Blessed Saviour, may we all learn more of Thee!
One more word as to covering the head—may the Lord exercise Christian women to select millinery which is a “covering” when it is to be used for this purpose. A little tuft of flowers or feathers certainly is not a covering. God speaks of a covering for the head—not a modern head ornament which leaves the head largely uncovered. Such will not have the Lord’s approval. How needful, then, it is that we should be before the Lord as to the purchase of a hat, or “whatsoever” we do, that all may be pleasing to Him.
(Concluded)