Head Coverings: Questions and Answers
Robert Boulard
Table of Contents
Introduction
The adversary of God and man—Satan—has been all too successful during the last one hundred years, in blurring the God-appointed distinction between male and female. The distinction of the unique roles, outward appearance, and decent deportment of male and female in the Christian world, is now all but lost. Sadly, the enemy has even been successful in undermining the Word of God within the professing Church: portions of Paul’s doctrine are now being publicly denied. Part of the Apostle’s doctrine has to do with the Scriptural use of head coverings during the Church period: the giving up of the use of head coverings is usually the very first outward manifestation of the fact that Paul’s doctrine is actually being given up.
“And they continued stedfastly in the Apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). This is what every truehearted Christian should want to do. This booklet has been written because:
1. We need to understand and to appreciate God’s purpose in establishing the unique order that exists in His creation.
2. We need to understand His purpose in using Head Coverings during the Christian era.
3. We are responsible to maintain the God-appointed order amidst all of the confusion that exists in the world, and in the Church.
May the Lord, in His grace, use this booklet to help us in these last days, to “hold fast”—just before He comes to receive us unto Himself.
Robert Boulard
October, 2008
Frequently Asked Questions About the About the Use of Head Coverings
1) “Is the practice of wearing head coverings applicable to the Church today? Or is it just an ancient cultural practice for the day in which the Corinthians lived?”
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth instructing them about head coverings, he stated emphatically that his instructions were not just for that assembly of believers only, but for “all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord” (1st Corinthians 1:2). We, therefore, have no authority to say that head coverings were only for the day in which the Apostle wrote his epistle to the Corinthians.
God inspired Paul to write these things in His Word (the Scriptures) so that the Church would have a divine charter throughout its time on earth. If we say that this passage having to do with head coverings is not applicable, and shouldn’t be regarded by the Church today, on that premise, a person could set aside other parts of the epistle too! We have no authority to pick and to choose what parts of Scripture we are willing to obey and to put into practice. It is a dangerous thing to start setting aside certain passages of the New Testament because they don’t suit us: it is surely the work of the enemy to undermine the truth and its practice.
2) “What is the purpose of a woman wearing a head covering?”
It is a Demonstration of the Principles Involved in the Confession of Christianity
The acts of uncovering the heads of brothers and of covering the heads of sisters are a practical demonstration of the principles involved in the confession of Christianity. The Apostle explains in 1st Corinthians 11 that in Christianity, the man's head represents Christ. He says, "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" (1st Corinthians 11:3). Since this is so, the brothers are to uncover their heads when they are involved in divine activities, i.e. “praying or prophesying.” By doing this, they are acknowledging that all glory belongs to Christ. He said, "A man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God" (1st Corinthians 11:7). This act glorifies Christ and should be undertaken with this in view.
Likewise, the woman in Christianity represents the glory of man. He says, "Woman is man's glory. For man is not of woman, but woman of man. For also man was not created for the sake of the woman, but woman for the sake of the man. Therefore ought the woman to have authority (a token of authority) on her head" (1st Corinthians 11:7-10—JND Trans). The woman's hair represents the natural glory of the first man. This being the case, the woman's hair should be covered when she is involved in spiritual activity. When sisters wear a head covering, they are telling out the fact that they do not recognize the first man as having any place in Christianity (Philippians 3:3; Colossians 2:11-12). This should be seen as a wonderful privilege, not simply as a duty. When a sister understands the principles involved, she should be glad to have that token upon her head.
3) “Does wearing a head covering make a woman more holy, or enhance her prayer life?”
Wearing a head covering will not bring a sister into communion with God. There is no special experience that she will have by wearing one. Its purpose is not to bring one spiritually closer to God. In fact, it’s possible for a sister to wear a head covering out of duty and, at the same time, to be far from communion with the Lord. However, if she wears one, it will, like baptism, give her “an answer of a good conscience,” but she will not experience higher communion with God by it (1st Peter 3:21).
4) “Since the Bible says that a woman’s hair is a covering, why insist upon an artificial head covering?”
To clarify a point of misunderstanding, there are two different words used for “covering” in 1st Corinthians 11. The Spirit of God has purposely used two different words in the original language (Greek) to distinguish both coverings. The original word in the text, for “covering,” in verses 4-6, is “katakalupo,” which indicates an artificial covering for the hair, such as a hat, a scarf, or a mantilla. Another word used in the original text of verse 15, is “peribolaiou,” which describes one’s natural hair adorning the head. In modern language we refer to this as a hairstyle, or a hairdo. In this way, a woman’s hair is a veil (or covering) of her natural glory and beauty.
The Natural Head Covering
A woman’s natural head covering—her long hair—is given to her “for a covering” (1st Corinthians 11:15 – JND Trans). If she does not have long hair, then she does not have the God given natural veil of beauty. The fact that it should be “long,” if possible, speaks of submission. It is an outward token of accepting her place of subjection.
The Artificial Head Covering
God has pronounced that the natural glory and beauty of the first Adam must be covered up so that it is not in display before Him when prayer is made (priesthood is exercised) or when prophesying occurs (His Word is ministered). Since a woman’s hair represents the natural glory and beauty of man, her hair—her “natural head covering”—must be covered up with an “artificial head covering” when she is praying or prophesying. Only the glory of the second Man, the last Adam, is to be displayed in God’s presence (1st Corinthians 15:45-47).
5) “Are head coverings to be worn only in Assembly meetings?
The passage of Scripture in 1st Corinthians 11:3-16 is not specific instruction for conduct within the assembly, although it is certainly included. The Apostle begins his instruction for matters within the Assembly in verse 17, and we can identify this as it is denoted in the expression: “when ye come together” (1st Corinthians 11:17,18,20,33). These instructions occur before verse 17, and therefore, are of a broad application, including every sphere where praying and prophesying occurs, whether it is in the assembly or elsewhere.
6) “Define a woman praying as referred to in 1st Corinthians 11:3-16.”
Some who want to set aside the use of head coverings will tell us that if a woman is in a Bible meeting and is not participating audibly, there is no need for her to wear a covering because she is neither praying nor prophesying. This, however, is to miss the point of the Apostle. He uses prayer here to represent the sphere of priesthood, and prophesying to represent the sphere of ministry of the Word. As mentioned earlier, whenever a woman is in one, or both of these spheres, she ought to have her head covered.
7) “Define prophesying as referred to in 1st Corinthians 11:3-16.”
Those who would like to set aside the use of head coverings also like to narrow down prophesying to a very specific function of telling forth the mind of God for the moment on some particular issue. While it certainly is that, prophesying is quite opposite to being narrow in its scope; it is a word of broad scope and application as 1st Corinthians 14:3 indicates. “He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” It could take the character of any one of these three things.
• “Edification” is the building up of the saints in their most holy faith (Jude 20). If the saints are deficient in some point of doctrine in the Christian faith, this kind of ministry will meet that need. It is for our understanding.
• “Exhortation” is the stirring up of the saints in some aspect of Christian practice. If the saints are lacking in some practical area of their lives, this kind of prophesying will meet that need (Haggai 1:13-14). It is for our consciences.
• “Comfort” is the cheering up of the saints. This is ministry that encourages the saints to go on in the path of faith. This aspect of prophesying is for our hearts (Ruth 2:13 – JND Trans).
Hence, “edification” builds up the saints, “exhortation” stirs up the saints, and “comfort” cheers up the saints. (See all three illustrated in Acts 14:22)
Even if a sister is not doing the prophesying, she is still in the sphere where ministry is taking place, and should have her head covered.
8) “Should a head covering be worn by a sister in her private reading and study of the Scriptures? She isn’t praying or prophesying.”
When we read the Holy Scriptures, the Spirit of God applies what we are reading to our hearts and consciences, and thus, God speaks to us. Hence, we are being ministered to, whether we are alone with God or in a company of believers. Also, when we read the Scriptures it should be done in a prayerful attitude, and hence, we are in the sphere of priesthood. Therefore, when a sister reads her Bible alone in the presence of God, she is in the realm of spiritual things and should recognize that the first man has no standing in those things. She should be glad to wear a head covering to show that fact, whether others are around or not.
Furthermore, the Apostle says, " ... because of the angels" (1st Corinthians 11:10). The angels are observing her reading and praying: whether privately or in the assembly. God has established a certain order in Christianity, and Christian men and women are not to neglect this order, but to remember that they are a divinely appointed spectacle. The angels are learning “the manifold wisdom of God” in His ways among Christians on earth (1st Corinthians 4:9, Ephesians 3:10).
9) “Is it necessary for a sister to wear a head covering when someone gives thanks for a meal? She is not personally praying out loud: someone else is giving thanks.”
When someone publicly gives thanks for a meal, they are praying as the mouthpiece of those who are in the entire company with them—men and women alike. So when the one praying addresses the Lord, they say: “We,” instead of “I.” Since the prayer is on behalf of all of those at the table, it is godly order for a sister to cover the glory of the first Adam when someone is speaking to the Lord. When a sister adds her silent “Amen” to the prayer of thanksgiving, she is acknowledging that the prayer was offered on her behalf, and that she concurs with its sentiments (1st Corinthians 14:15-16).
Moreover, when a sister is alone and bows her head to give thanks, she ought to cover her head because the angels are observing (1st Corinthians 11:10). This will properly render a faithful testimony to the angels who are learning the manifold wisdom of God through what they observe in the Church (Ephesians 3:10).
10) “Should a sister wear a head covering when reading and praying with her children at bedtime?”
It is not the “letter of the law” that the Spirit of God is communicating to the saints in 1st Corinthians 11, it is the “principle” that He wishes us to understand and to appreciate. A mother’s reading of the Word of God and explaining a passage of Scripture to her children, then praying with them, is a wonderful experience in normal Christianity: it is a marvelous occasion to display the God-appointed order that He intended to exist within the Christian home. She is praying and prophesying. How blessed if young sons and daughters would learn the proper order of authority and headship in Christianity at the bedside with their parents! So much of the confusion in Christianity would be avoided if parents were simply more faithful in this way.
11) “Should a sister wear a head covering at weddings, funerals, or other social functions among Christians?”
The question is often raised as to what is appropriate attire for sisters at weddings, funerals, Sunday School picnics, and hymn-sings—to name but a few of the functions that we attend in the normal course of Christian life.
Is prayer going up to the Lord publicly, or privately, at these events? Is the Word of God being read and used to “edification, and exhortation, and comfort?” (1st Corinthians 14:3) Are spiritual songs being sung? (Colossians 3:16) If so, then a sister ought to have her head covered. If unbelievers are present, it is a testimony to them of God’s appointed order in a disorderly world. If a head covering is worn out of love for the Lord, and in obedience to His Word, there may be reproach by those who do not appreciate God’s order in these matters; however, the Lord will reward a faithful sister abundantly (John 14:21-23; 1st Peter 3:14-17; 1st Peter 4:14).
A Sister should wear a head covering at Christian functions such as hymn-sings, because the Word of God clearly tells us that when we are singing in the company of other believers we are “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16). The spheres of both priesthood and of ministry are involved in spiritual singing. “Hymns” address the divine Persons, which is the exercise of priesthood. “Psalms” and “spiritual songs” should instruct us in various aspects of the truth of God, and they thus prophesy to our hearts and consciences. There is (or at least there should be) a spiritual depth and dimension to our singing so that when we sing we are “teaching and admonishing one another.”
12) “Since praying and prophesying are broad in application, should an exercised Christian woman wear a head covering all the time?”
Scripture says, “Obey in all things ... but in singleness of heart” (Colossians 3:22). Nowhere in the Scriptures do we find the Apostle giving a list of “do’s” and “don’ts” with respect to head coverings, because Christianity is characterized by intelligence as to why we do what we do. This was not always the case in Old Testament times (1st Peter 1:10-11). God has a wonderful purpose in His instructions regarding head coverings, and Christians are privileged and responsible to understand and to put this truth into practice. The Lord is looking for an exercise of soul in each of us as to His instructions, and He is yearning for an obedient response from hearts that love Him.
For each sister, the response of heart will differ. If one is in a continual state of prayer, and is exercised as to what might be the “acceptable, and the perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2), in her case, she may well decide to wear a head covering throughout the day. It is a matter of personal conscience, and we cannot set any rules as to this. Scripture presents the subject to us, and the Lord desires our hearts and consciences to respond.