1 Corinthians 11:13-16

Scripture: 1 Cor. 11:13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?

1 Cor. 11:14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him,

1 Cor. 11:15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.

1 Cor. 11:16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

Teaching: In teaching on how to live life both in Christian liberty and with respect and honor for God, Paul now turns to an example that has caused some disagreements and confusion in the church, especially in the modern era. Paul calls the Corinthians to “judge for themselves” the propriety of a woman praying with her head uncovered. In today’s world, we read this and think, “Well obviously there is no issue there; women don’t need to wear head coverings.” But then, Paul seems to say the answer is, apparently, obvious — yes, women should wear head coverings. Further, he says that it is disgraceful for a man to have long hair, but right that a woman have long hair because it serves as a covering (“given” to her, by God, for a covering). What is going on here?

The issue at hand is what a head covering meant in Paul’s time — not covering her head in public meant that she was defying her husband’s authority in the household. And a man with long hair was dishonored as it connoted his own submission. These are based on the created order of man and wife, which Paul has been speaking about in this chapter. So the question for us is this—Do we observe the tradition itself, or do we observe the meaning? 

The answer, I would say, is to observe the meaning, and translate that into our own culture. In the modern West, a woman having short hair and/or no head covering, and a man with long hair, mean nothing when it comes to showing created order. If one were to observe these traditions, it’s feasible to say most people would not understand the specific meaning of it. There is no meaning or truth being communicated by head coverings and/or long or short hair. Thus, this tradition can be set aside, but the meaning, or the idea, behind it — that God created man and wife distinctly and with different purposes and roles— still remains, and we should observe that reality. 

Takeaway: How we choose to demonstrate Biblical truth in the days God gives us can vary, but the beauty of the our God, and the Bible, is that He and it do not change. What a concept for our day and age — timeless truths. Not long ago, that was not so revolutionary; but in this world where the concept of truth is under so much attack and obfuscation by what is called “post modern philosophy,” timeless truths feel like a cold drink on a hot day. It’s refreshing, steadying, and uplifting. It’s firm ground to stand upon. That firm foundation is Christ, and that’s what standing on him in faith feels like. From that belief, comes understanding and living by the truth of what He says. So, whether we choose to wear certain things or not, what is important is understanding the meaning of God’s Word, accepting it as truth, and living life in that truth. Seeing the world as how God tells us it is. As Christ said in John 8:31-2, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”