Delve Into Jesus : Questions : Women Covering Their Head In Prayer

Comments

"But 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.

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

For 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.

For 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.

For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.

Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering." 1 Corinthians 11:3-15

In summary, it is a shame for a man to have long hair. Likewise, it is a shame for a woman to have short hair. A man praying or prophesying with long hair or with a covering on his head dishonors Christ. A woman's long hair is given to her as a covering. A woman praying or prophesying without long hair or a veiling on her head if she does not have long hair dishonors her husband, or her father if unmarried.

4/1/2008 2:43:45 PM - Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Welcome, and thanks for your question. IgnitedFaith is completely right about hair, and I just want to elaborate on that. I will leave the other issues for now and come back to them.

I think it's important to acknowledge that we have to be sensitive of the time and culture to which Paul was addressing his comments. Underneath every custom or culturally accepted practice is some truth of law or principle. Culture, customs and societies change, but God certainly does not, and his commandments and laws do not. Our challenge is to determine the law or principle that is underneath the surface of these customs. In other words, hair is just hair and is no big deal, but what is Paul trying to accomplish in this teaching? Whatever that truth is, it never changes. We have to "get to the bottom of it."

So, with this in mind, all I can do is offer my opinion. Truly, the best thing is to ask God, and hope He reveals to you though prayer what he is asking of you today.

In almost every case, when Paul or another apostle commands us to obey some cultural custom, the goal is to distance ourselves from the pagans. This was a very serious issue in the 1st century. Many new Christians had been gentiles and/or pagans, and Paul wants to ensure that they do not slip back into their old ways. It was also important and that they do not have any kind of external appearance that would make people think that they are still worshiping their old idols. This is the reason for the decree not to get tattoos, not to have body piercings, and many others.

I believe that the decree for women to have long hair and for men to have short hair was given for the same reason, and I believe it is still important today. Rightly or wrongly, people judge by appearances. As Christians, we need to avoid doing anything that would cause others to be uncomfortable with us. This is particularly true when we are witnessing to non-Christians.

As a man, I could deliver the Gospel very well with tatoos, long hair, a nose ring and all the rest. The same is true of a woman with a shaved head and a dozen nose rings. However, if I dress this way, there will be some people who will never be able to get past the image. There would always be some that would see that "look" and think I must be a criminal or a devil-worshiper. They would not listen to a word I had to say.

So, I believe Paul is simply saying that we need to look the part, respect our bodies and respect that others will judge our appearance, and so we need to present a good image. We must not give anyone reason to think that we have slipped into "pagan" ways.

4/4/2008 8:43:46 AM - arsindelve, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

I have been doing a lot of research on a womans hair, as I have very long hair. I wanted to understand about the veiling better. Well, from what I found out is it has to do with the naserene vow. In Acts all the people who got saved, joined the church and all came together selling and putting all they owned in one pot. And every need was met. This was the way the Essenes lived outside of Jeserlem. From the days of Enoch, people dedicated to serving God took the vow and lived sepreate from the world. Even Paul was a nazerene and took the vow. The man wasnt to cut his hair for it was a shame. It was a humbling experiance for a man to have long hair. Well if a womans hair is her glory, she should cover it so she won't be taking away from God's glory.Also the Bible says it gives her authority and the angle's watch her. If my hair has so much meaning, I will be happy to cover it.

8/6/2008 1:04:06 PM - anonymous

If you have an answer or some information to contribute, or you would simply like to say something to the author of this question, please feel free to leave a comment below. Don't forget that our forum is also open if you want to join or start a discussion.