A Rescued Mess: Head Coverings and Cultural Issues 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 and 14:26-40

2 I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you. 3 But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. —1 Corinthians 11:2-3

7 A man should not wear anything on his head when worshiping, for man is made in God’s image and reflects God’s glory. And woman reflects man’s glory. 8 For the first man didn’t come from woman, but the first woman came from man. 9 And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man. 10 For this reason, and because the angels are watching, a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority. —1 Corinthians 11:7-10

34 Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. 35 If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings. —1 Corinthians 14:34-35

What this passage does not say…

It’s not about who’s

4 A man dishonors his head if he covers his head while praying or prophesying. 5 But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head. —1 Corinthians 11:4-5

It doesn’t put

Men and women are

7 A man should not wear anything on his head when worshiping, for man is made in God’s image and reflects God’s glory. And woman reflects man’s glory. 8 For the first man didn’t come from woman, but the first woman came from man. 9 And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man. —1 Corinthians 11:7-9

11 But among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women. 12 For although the first woman came from man, every other man was born from a woman, and everything comes from God. —1 Corinthians 11:11-12

Marriages filled with

34 Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. 35 If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings. —1 Corinthians 14:34-35

5 But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head. —1 Corinthians 11:5

33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people. —1 Corinthians 14:33