Covering of the Head — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Issue pertaining to female decor discussed by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. In Paul’s day Jewish women always wore veils in public and Greek women generally went veiled—a practice that showed deference to authority and dignified the wearer.

Disagreement arose in the church at Corinth when women prayed publicly with uncovered heads. Since women had traditionally covered their heads out of respect for men (or “husbands”), it seemed shameful for a woman to pray or prophesy unveiled; it was viewed as if her head were shaven (v 5), a sign of dishonor.

Show passage in OET: CO1 11:5

OET-RV CO1 11:5

5 but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head, because it’s just as if her head had been shaved.

OET-LV CO1 11:5

5 But every woman praying or prophesying uncovered with _her head, is _disgracing the head of _her, because/for one it _is and the same which with _having _been _shaved.

Jump to OET CO1 11:5 section.

Paul responded to that confusion with a brief theological excursus about Creation (v 8). An enigmatic reference to “angels” (v 10) precedes his statement on the interdependence of men and women (vv 11-12). Some interpret the word translated “veil” (v 10) as a symbol of new authority, since in the synagogues women were permitted no part in Jewish worship services. In contrast, a Christian woman could participate in Christian worship provided she wore a veil.

Show passage in OET: CO1 11:8

OET-RV CO1 11:8

8 because man wasn’t made from the woman, but the first woman was made out of man.

OET-LV CO1 11:8

8 For/Because not is man out _of woman, but woman out _of man.

Show passage in OET: CO1 11:10

OET-RV CO1 11:10

10 Because of that, women should have authority on their heads, because of the messengers.

OET-LV CO1 11:10

10 Because _of this ought the woman authority to _be _having on her head, because _of the messengers.

Show passage in OET: CO1 11:11–12

OET-RV CO1 11:11

11 Nevertheless, in Messiah, women are not independent from men, nor are men independent from women,

OET-RV CO1 11:12

12 because just as the first woman came out of the man, so too men are born from women, but everything comes from God.

OET-LV CO1 11:11

11 However nor woman apart _from man, nor man apart _from woman in the_master.

OET-LV CO1 11:12

12 For/Because as the woman is out _of the man, thus also the man is through the woman, and the things all from the god.

Jump to OET CO1 11:8 section.

Jump to OET CO1 11:10 section.

Jump to OET CO1 11:11–12 section.

Paul spoke of “nature” as teaching men and women on the subject. Some scholars think he meant that since a woman’s long hair was her pride (v 15), she should cover her head. Some think that the phrase referred to hairstyle. Others believe Paul was saying that a veil was not needed since a woman’s hair is given to her for a covering (v 15). Paul encouraged freedom but also insisted on order in the churches. He upheld certain customs to avoid offense (see 1 Cor 9:19-23). Yet he challenged other customs for the sake of the gospel’s integrity (see Gal 6:12).

Show passage in OET: CO1 11:15

OET-RV CO1 11:15

15 but if a woman has long hair, it’s part of her beauty because long hair has been given to women as a covering?

OET-LV CO1 11:15

15 on _the _other _hand a_woman if may _be _having _long _hair, glory to _her it _is?
Because the long _hair instead _of a_covering has _been _given to _her.

Show passage in OET: CO1 9:19–23

OET-RV CO1 9:19

19 Although I have no obligation to any person, I made myself a slave of everyone in order to win over as many as possible.

OET-RV CO1 9:20

20 To the Yehudim (Jews), I behave like the Yehudi (Jew) that I am in order to win them. To those under the traditional rules, I behave like one of them (although I myself am not under those rules) in order to win them over.

OET-RV CO1 9:21

21 To those outside our religious rules, I behave like them (although not so far as to disobey God’s law, because I’m under Messiah’s law) in order to win them over.

OET-RV CO1 9:22

22 To the weak, I become weak to win them over. Yes, I’ve become all things to all people so that I might be certain of saving some.

OET-RV CO1 9:23

23 I do all that for the sake of the good message, so that I’ll share in its blessings.

OET-LV CO1 9:19

19 For/Because free being from all, to _all myself I _enslaved, in _order _that the more I _may _gain.

OET-LV CO1 9:20

20 And I _became to _the Youdaiōns, like a_Youdaios, in _order _that Youdaiōns I _may _win, to _the ones under the_law, as one under the_law, not being myself under the_law, in _order _that the ones under the_law I _may _win,

OET-LV CO1 9:21

21 to _the lawless, like the_lawless, not being lawless of_god, but lawful of_chosen _one /messiah, in _order _that I _may _win the lawless.

OET-LV CO1 9:22

22 I _became to _the weak, weak, in _order _that the weak I _may _win.
To _the ones all I _have _become all things, in _order _that certainly some I _may _save.

OET-LV CO1 9:23

23 And all things I _am _doing because _of the good _message, in _order _that a_fellow-partaker with _him I _may _become.

Show passage in OET: GAL 6:12

OET-RV GAL 6:12

12 There’s so many people that want to look good in earthly terms, and they’re the ones trying to persuade you that you have to fulfil all of Mosheh’s (Moses) rules—they don’t want to be persecuted concerning the messiah dying on a post.

OET-LV GAL 6:12

12 As _many _as are _wanting to _appear _good in the_flesh, these are _compelling you _all to _be _being _circumcised, only in _order _that they _may_ not _be _being _persecuted for _the stake of _the chosen _one /messiah Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa).

Jump to OET CO1 11:15 section.

Jump to OET CO1 9:19–23 section.

Jump to OET GAL 6:12 section.

In most church traditions, covering the head is considered necessary only in societies where it is considered proper for women to be veiled. Some groups, however, believe that all women should still wear hats or something on their heads in church services. In a few groups women regularly wear small “coverings” in their hair so they will always be able to pray with their heads “covered.”