My Daily Life and Thoughts while in San Diego |
List of Best Posts
This blog is where I express myself to the world or at least to those who might stop by to read what I post 
. Maybe God will use what I post (I am a Christian and this blog will have a most decidedly Christian bent to it) to good effect in the lives of my readers.
I may turn some of my posts into a book. I may cease blogging here altogether. Who knows. But for now..I am content to post away in this, my own little corner of the world.
Rather than reading through my now lengthy list of posts you may wish to read what I consider to be my very best posts or you can just read the posts that deal with a single subject category that might interest you.
Please know that I am open to any input on any topic I write about. If you have something to say about anything you see written here please....feel free to speak up in the form of leaving a comment or sending me a PM (private message).
And if you are in San Diego and wish to meet the one and only Carlos (that's me)...drop me a private message. I always enjoy meeting one of my readers!
Thanks.
Carlos
PS. If you want to follow my blog such that you will get an email when I write new posts you can subscribe to my blog.
. Maybe God will use what I post (I am a Christian and this blog will have a most decidedly Christian bent to it) to good effect in the lives of my readers. I may turn some of my posts into a book. I may cease blogging here altogether. Who knows. But for now..I am content to post away in this, my own little corner of the world.
Rather than reading through my now lengthy list of posts you may wish to read what I consider to be my very best posts or you can just read the posts that deal with a single subject category that might interest you.
Please know that I am open to any input on any topic I write about. If you have something to say about anything you see written here please....feel free to speak up in the form of leaving a comment or sending me a PM (private message).
And if you are in San Diego and wish to meet the one and only Carlos (that's me
)...drop me a private message. I always enjoy meeting one of my readers!Thanks.
Carlos
PS. If you want to follow my blog such that you will get an email when I write new posts you can subscribe to my blog.
Head Coverings
Posted 03-08-2010 at 01:03 PM by carlos123
Note: this post is mainly aimed at allowing me to more easily discuss this issue with some in real life with whom I have relationship. This blog serves as a convenient place for me to put up my thoughts to allow my friends and others to readily see what I believe the Bible says about various topics.
If you have no interest in this issue you may want to ignore this post though I am always eager to hear anything anyone may want to say about this or anything else I blog about here.
----------------------------------------------
Head Coverings (1 Cor 11)
Main verses (in bold) are from the King James Version (not copyrighted and may be freely quoted). Other versions, when quoted, are indicated as NASB (New American Standard Version), AB (Amplified Bible), NKJV (New King James Version), or NIV (New International Version).
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Paul exhorts the Corinthians to follow him as he in turn follows Christ.
Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
The word ordinances is strong's word 3862. 2 Thess 2:15 also uses this word but translates it as "traditions". In it Paul is exhorting the Thessalonians to "stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us." [NASB]
Paul first praises the Corinthians for keeping the ordinances (or traditions) that he previously gave them (what these were is unclear).
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.
Here he begins to either clarify something related to a previous tradition he gave them or to lay the theological ground work for setting out a new ordinance or tradition of church practice to them.
Paul sets the stage for that he is about to say next by explaining the various authorities (or heads) that are over the individuals mentioned. The authority over every man is Jesus Christ. The authority of the woman is the man. The authority over Jesus is God the Father.
To say that the authority over a man is Jesus Christ is not to say that Jesus Christ is not the ultimate authority over a woman too. Rather Paul highlights that in the case of the relationship between a man and a woman, the authority of Jesus Christ works it's way through the man to the woman.
Just as Jesus Christ is not inferior to the Father simply because God the Father is over Jesus Christ in authority, the woman is not inferior to the man simply because the man has authority over her as her head.
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
The word "head" here is strong's word 2776. It can refer to the physical head on the body or to an authority as a man's head like in 1 Cor 11:3. For a man to have his head (physical) covered while praying or prophesying dishonors his head (Jesus Christ as the head of authority over him).
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.
On the other hand, for the woman to have her head (physical) uncovered (as the man does) while praying or prophesying dishonors her head (the man as the head of authority over her). Having her head uncovered while praying or prophesying is as innapropriate for the woman as it would be for her to have her head shaved bald.
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.
Some Christians believe that the head covering referred to in these passages is the natural hair on a woman's head and not a separate covering of cloth that is placed on top of the head but such an interpretation is not consistent with the way the passage is worded.
If we chose to believe that the head covering is a woman's hair then according to the above verse...if a woman has no hair at all (i.e. is not covered if the covering is her hair) let her also be shaved (of her hair). But if a woman has no covering (of hair) how can she also be shaved (of her hair...which she does not even have)?! She can't.
Paul is saying here that if a woman is not covered (with a covering over the hair on her head) then she should be shaved of her hair or, if she will not want to shave her head entirely bald (understandably so), then she should wear a head covering over the hair of her head when praying or prophesying.
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.
If a woman prays or prophecies without her head covered it is as though she is in the place of the man who must do so with his head uncovered. Having her head uncovered does not acknowledge or reveal (through the symbolism of the head covering) the headship of the man over the woman.
By having her head uncovered the woman dishonors her head (the man), bypasses the man's authority over her, and declares openly to all that God is her direct head (which is not the case). With respect to authority the woman must draw attention to the man as her head (through the symbolism of the head covering) just as the man must draw attention to Jesus Christ being his head (through the symbolism of having his head uncovered).
For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
The NASB translates this verse as "For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man;". This verse refers to God having created the woman out of the man. Out of his rib (Genesis 2:21-22). The word "For" draws attention to this miracle of creation as a supporting argument for why a woman is the glory of her head (the man). Namely because woman came out of the man.
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
Paul now brings up a secondary supporting argument as to why the woman is the glory of her head (the man). Namely because the woman was created for the man and not the other way around.
For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
The NASB translates this verse as "Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels."
The AB words this verse as "Therefore she should [be subject to his authority and should] have a covering on her head [as a token, a symbol, of her submission to authority, that she may show reverence as do] the angels [and not displease them]."
In view of the arguments that Paul has brought up, that the woman was created from the man and for him, a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head as something that is of spiritual significance before the angels.
That Paul appeals to the spiritual significance of the head covering before the angels makes clear that the head covering being described is not something that is purely cultural in significance. The significance of the head covering goes beyond any purely cultural relevance and is of spiritual (non-cultural) significance before the angels.
Since angels have not ceased to be then it stands to reason that the spiritual significance of the head covering remains relevant even to this day.
For an excellent explanation of what the significance before the angels might be see What does 'because of the angels' mean in 1 Corinthians 11:10?
Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
The NASB says "However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman."
The fact that a woman should have a covering on her head as a symbol of the man's headship over her does not mean that the man does not need the woman or the woman the man.
For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
The word "For..." introduces an argument that Paul uses to support his previous statement. The argument being that men and woman are both in need of each other and that both were created by God. So what Paul is saying has nothing to do with one being superior or inferior to the other. It has to do with presenting the order of authority as God intends for it to be.
Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
Here Paul appeals to the natural reason of the Corinthians in addition to the spiritual arguments he has laid out above.
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
At the time Paul wrote this...there was evidently some obvious and reasonable argument supporting the idea that a man's head was not meant to be covered from nature itself. The long hair being synonomous with a head covering with the implication being that since it was a shame for a man to have long hair from a natural perspective that it was likewise a shame for a man to put on a head covering with spiritual significance.
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
The hair is again referred to as the head covering. Just as the man's natural tendency to have short hair is said to support the argument that men should not wear a head covering so a woman's long hair, which contributes to her natural beauty, is used as a support for the idea that she should wear a head covering when praying or prophesying.
Although Paul uses the actual hair on the head and what is naturally considered appropriate for a man and a woman with respect to the length of their physical hair as supporting the idea of a head covering for the woman and none for the man...the idea of a head covering as being the actual hair and nothing more is not the point being made.
The point being made is that nature, or what is deemed appropriate from a natural perspective, supports the argument Paul is making that a man should not pray or prophesy with head covered while a woman should wear a head covering. The appeal to the way the natural hair on a man and a woman supports Paul's argument for a head covering or not does not make the physical hair the head covering. The hair as a type of head covering is something that lines up with Paul's argument for an additional head covering and supports it. Paul is not saying that the hair on a man or woman is the head covering being spoken about in the rest of these verses.
If hair is given to a man and woman as a natural covering and if that hair is also the covering Paul has been speaking about then every man who prays or prophecies should have his head shaved bald since Paul makes it clear that a man should not do such things while having his head covered. In reality, Paul is not advocating that men should shave their heads or that the hair on a woman is sufficient to be the covering he refers to. If it were there would be no need to specifically say that a woman should have a covering on her head while praying and prophecying given that her covering, if her hair, would be on her head at all times such that there would be no need to mention a further covering of what a woman always has...her hair.
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
The NASB translates this verse as "But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God."
The AB says "Now if anyone is disposed to be argumentative and contentious about this, we hold to and recognize no other custom [in worship] than this, nor do the churches of God generally."
The NIV says "If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God."
With the exception of the King James which English translation of this particular verse may not be entirely consistent with the sense of how the Greek reads...it is clear that Paul is cutting the ground out from under anyone who wants to dispute what he has been saying about head coverings by pointing to the universality of the use of head coverings throughout the churches of God and that such a practice is not just something that he is advocating the Corinthians alone do.
In other words the practice of head coverings as Paul has explained rests on apostolic authority and tradition, and is not open to debate (or contention). It is a settled practice throughout the churches which affords no room for such a thing being in dispute.
Additional References:
Headcovering Customs of the Ancient World - Head Coverings of the Ancient World
If you have no interest in this issue you may want to ignore this post though I am always eager to hear anything anyone may want to say about this or anything else I blog about here.
----------------------------------------------
Head Coverings (1 Cor 11)
Main verses (in bold) are from the King James Version (not copyrighted and may be freely quoted). Other versions, when quoted, are indicated as NASB (New American Standard Version), AB (Amplified Bible), NKJV (New King James Version), or NIV (New International Version).
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Paul exhorts the Corinthians to follow him as he in turn follows Christ.
Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
The word ordinances is strong's word 3862. 2 Thess 2:15 also uses this word but translates it as "traditions". In it Paul is exhorting the Thessalonians to "stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us." [NASB]
Paul first praises the Corinthians for keeping the ordinances (or traditions) that he previously gave them (what these were is unclear).
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.
Here he begins to either clarify something related to a previous tradition he gave them or to lay the theological ground work for setting out a new ordinance or tradition of church practice to them.
Paul sets the stage for that he is about to say next by explaining the various authorities (or heads) that are over the individuals mentioned. The authority over every man is Jesus Christ. The authority of the woman is the man. The authority over Jesus is God the Father.
To say that the authority over a man is Jesus Christ is not to say that Jesus Christ is not the ultimate authority over a woman too. Rather Paul highlights that in the case of the relationship between a man and a woman, the authority of Jesus Christ works it's way through the man to the woman.
Just as Jesus Christ is not inferior to the Father simply because God the Father is over Jesus Christ in authority, the woman is not inferior to the man simply because the man has authority over her as her head.
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
The word "head" here is strong's word 2776. It can refer to the physical head on the body or to an authority as a man's head like in 1 Cor 11:3. For a man to have his head (physical) covered while praying or prophesying dishonors his head (Jesus Christ as the head of authority over him).
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.
On the other hand, for the woman to have her head (physical) uncovered (as the man does) while praying or prophesying dishonors her head (the man as the head of authority over her). Having her head uncovered while praying or prophesying is as innapropriate for the woman as it would be for her to have her head shaved bald.
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.
Some Christians believe that the head covering referred to in these passages is the natural hair on a woman's head and not a separate covering of cloth that is placed on top of the head but such an interpretation is not consistent with the way the passage is worded.
If we chose to believe that the head covering is a woman's hair then according to the above verse...if a woman has no hair at all (i.e. is not covered if the covering is her hair) let her also be shaved (of her hair). But if a woman has no covering (of hair) how can she also be shaved (of her hair...which she does not even have)?! She can't.
Paul is saying here that if a woman is not covered (with a covering over the hair on her head) then she should be shaved of her hair or, if she will not want to shave her head entirely bald (understandably so), then she should wear a head covering over the hair of her head when praying or prophesying.
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.
If a woman prays or prophecies without her head covered it is as though she is in the place of the man who must do so with his head uncovered. Having her head uncovered does not acknowledge or reveal (through the symbolism of the head covering) the headship of the man over the woman.
By having her head uncovered the woman dishonors her head (the man), bypasses the man's authority over her, and declares openly to all that God is her direct head (which is not the case). With respect to authority the woman must draw attention to the man as her head (through the symbolism of the head covering) just as the man must draw attention to Jesus Christ being his head (through the symbolism of having his head uncovered).
For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
The NASB translates this verse as "For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man;". This verse refers to God having created the woman out of the man. Out of his rib (Genesis 2:21-22). The word "For" draws attention to this miracle of creation as a supporting argument for why a woman is the glory of her head (the man). Namely because woman came out of the man.
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
Paul now brings up a secondary supporting argument as to why the woman is the glory of her head (the man). Namely because the woman was created for the man and not the other way around.
For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
The NASB translates this verse as "Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels."
The AB words this verse as "Therefore she should [be subject to his authority and should] have a covering on her head [as a token, a symbol, of her submission to authority, that she may show reverence as do] the angels [and not displease them]."
In view of the arguments that Paul has brought up, that the woman was created from the man and for him, a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head as something that is of spiritual significance before the angels.
That Paul appeals to the spiritual significance of the head covering before the angels makes clear that the head covering being described is not something that is purely cultural in significance. The significance of the head covering goes beyond any purely cultural relevance and is of spiritual (non-cultural) significance before the angels.
Since angels have not ceased to be then it stands to reason that the spiritual significance of the head covering remains relevant even to this day.
For an excellent explanation of what the significance before the angels might be see What does 'because of the angels' mean in 1 Corinthians 11:10?
Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
The NASB says "However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman."
The fact that a woman should have a covering on her head as a symbol of the man's headship over her does not mean that the man does not need the woman or the woman the man.
For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
The word "For..." introduces an argument that Paul uses to support his previous statement. The argument being that men and woman are both in need of each other and that both were created by God. So what Paul is saying has nothing to do with one being superior or inferior to the other. It has to do with presenting the order of authority as God intends for it to be.
Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
Here Paul appeals to the natural reason of the Corinthians in addition to the spiritual arguments he has laid out above.
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
At the time Paul wrote this...there was evidently some obvious and reasonable argument supporting the idea that a man's head was not meant to be covered from nature itself. The long hair being synonomous with a head covering with the implication being that since it was a shame for a man to have long hair from a natural perspective that it was likewise a shame for a man to put on a head covering with spiritual significance.
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
The hair is again referred to as the head covering. Just as the man's natural tendency to have short hair is said to support the argument that men should not wear a head covering so a woman's long hair, which contributes to her natural beauty, is used as a support for the idea that she should wear a head covering when praying or prophesying.
Although Paul uses the actual hair on the head and what is naturally considered appropriate for a man and a woman with respect to the length of their physical hair as supporting the idea of a head covering for the woman and none for the man...the idea of a head covering as being the actual hair and nothing more is not the point being made.
The point being made is that nature, or what is deemed appropriate from a natural perspective, supports the argument Paul is making that a man should not pray or prophesy with head covered while a woman should wear a head covering. The appeal to the way the natural hair on a man and a woman supports Paul's argument for a head covering or not does not make the physical hair the head covering. The hair as a type of head covering is something that lines up with Paul's argument for an additional head covering and supports it. Paul is not saying that the hair on a man or woman is the head covering being spoken about in the rest of these verses.
If hair is given to a man and woman as a natural covering and if that hair is also the covering Paul has been speaking about then every man who prays or prophecies should have his head shaved bald since Paul makes it clear that a man should not do such things while having his head covered. In reality, Paul is not advocating that men should shave their heads or that the hair on a woman is sufficient to be the covering he refers to. If it were there would be no need to specifically say that a woman should have a covering on her head while praying and prophecying given that her covering, if her hair, would be on her head at all times such that there would be no need to mention a further covering of what a woman always has...her hair.
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
The NASB translates this verse as "But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God."
The AB says "Now if anyone is disposed to be argumentative and contentious about this, we hold to and recognize no other custom [in worship] than this, nor do the churches of God generally."
The NIV says "If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God."
With the exception of the King James which English translation of this particular verse may not be entirely consistent with the sense of how the Greek reads...it is clear that Paul is cutting the ground out from under anyone who wants to dispute what he has been saying about head coverings by pointing to the universality of the use of head coverings throughout the churches of God and that such a practice is not just something that he is advocating the Corinthians alone do.
In other words the practice of head coverings as Paul has explained rests on apostolic authority and tradition, and is not open to debate (or contention). It is a settled practice throughout the churches which affords no room for such a thing being in dispute.
Additional References:
Headcovering Customs of the Ancient World - Head Coverings of the Ancient World
Total Comments 0
