articlesforchristians

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

1. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3. 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.
4. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
9. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14. Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15. But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
16. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
    

Now look at Verses 5-16. These verses have been taught a variety of ways.

• Some say these verses mean that a woman can’t cut her hair
• Some say these verses only applied to the Women at Corinth.
• Some say these verses mean that it is a symbolic covering.
• Some say these verses mean that a woman should wear a head covering,

It is amazing that for years there was no arguments that verse 4 meant that men were to take off
their hats before praying or when in a church service (the whole church service was considered meeting with God), but the verses about women created a problem.

I am not going to tell you which is right. That is the Holy Spirit’s job. John 16:13 says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” I am going to tell you to study, think about some questions, and pray about it.

Questions for consideration:

• Consider verses 6 and 15. Why are you cutting a woman’s hair for not being covered if her hair is the covering referred to in verse 6?
• Why has verse 4 been taken literally for years and the other verses taken many different ways?
• Why is there now an increase in the men wearing hats in church?

For any woman considering head covering please note the following:

• No where in the Bible does it specify color, shape, style, or size.
  • You will need it big enough to be a covering of some kind that can be seen. Think about the size of the top of your head.
• Notice that is says head covering, not hair covering.
• The Bible does command modesty.
  • 1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
• No where in the Bible does it command that a woman’s hair must be on top of her head. (This can and does frequently cause headaches.)
• Yes, obedience to God is evidence of salvation; however, head covering is not salvation. Only a relationship with Jesus can save you. The rest is just walking in obedience.
  • James 2:17-20 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
    • a relationship is required
    • works without faith will not save you
    • The pharisees looked righteous, but Jesus called them vipers. (Matthew 12:34)