Chapter 11 begins four chapters in 1 Corinthians which deal with worship. This specific section will deal with women praying or prophesying with their heads covered or uncovered. The word “head” is used, either literally or metaphorically fourteen times in the section. “Man” is used also fourteen times while “woman” is used seventeen times. The words “disgrace / dishonor” are used four times while the words “uncovered / covered” are used six times.
It seems to have been the general practice in Roman, Greek, and Jewish societies for respectable women to have long hair and to wear some type of head covering when they were in public. It is clear from this text that, in that culture, to have one’s head uncovered for women was shameful. That is not the same situation we have today in most societies around the world.
It is clear there is a hierarchy in the church of the Lord: God, first; then Christ, man, and woman in that order. We’re not talking about value since Jesus does not have less value than God. We’re talking about role. In that context, Paul is arguing that women should continue to wear the veil because it reflects their submissive attitude toward their husbands and / or the men at church.
We have too little evidence from archaeology to make much determination about what they were doing at that time. However, what some women in the church at Corinth were doing is quite evident. They were deliberately not having their heads covered, which was bringing shame on the church of Christ and apparently it was breaking down gender distinctions.
Some women of bad or sinful reputation had their heads shaved, like an adulterous wife, temple prostitutes, or lesbians.
Based on researches I have done, I hence frame instructional management and leadership in terms of “leading learning communities.” In buy generic cialis my view, instructional managers and leaders create a safe environment for staffs, using dialogue rather than debate, with the emphasis on listening, suspending judgment, and seeking common understanding. viagra in france In case of continued fever for more than a day, the propelled apparatus in the conclusion framework has helped medicinal science to distinguish the entire thing quickly. Vaajikarana in Ayurveda promotes sexual health and also helps manage or reduce the viagra professional for sale symptoms of depression and anxiety. This is why Intagra is chosen by many patients viagra properien who need ED cure. Beginning in verse 7, Paul will make arguments based on the order of creation (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:18-24), which illustrates that the order of creation still has relevancy for New Testament Christians (cf. 1 Tim. 2:11-15). We do not really know, although there are a number of good suggestions, what Paul means when he says, “because of the angels” (vs 10). But our understanding of that phrase does not keep us from understanding the thrust of the text.
The fact is, men and women are not independent of each other. We are interdependent. This is Paul’s way of saying the same thing he wrote in Galatians 3:28. While there are role distinctions in God’s church, there is no difference in value.
In the final section, 11:13-16, Paul deals with “custom.” It was the custom or propriety in that society for men to have their heads uncovered while women had their heads covered. But, that was a societal custom. It was not a church or apostolic custom. The word translated “other” in verse 16 does not mean “other.” It means “of such a kind.” Take a look at the other places the word is found in 1 Corinthians: 5:1, 5, 11; 7:15, 28; 15:48; 16:16, 18. Paul clearly says that this veil is not a “church” practice. It was the practice of their society. In fact, there is no other NT passage which mentions the veil which argues for its temporary nature. There is no other Christian practice or belief which is based on one single text. Additionally, there is no OT background for the veil, as there are for every other single Christian practice and belief.
The point of the passage is that in the Corinthian culture, the veil symbolized the woman’s submissiveness to the husband. That is the universal principle to be taken from this text and applied in our modern society. To live “cross-culturally,” our allegiance to biblical principles needs to show in all that we do.
Paul Holland
