It Starts Small

We continue our walk through 1 Corinthians. Paul opens this chapter by reconfirming his apostolic authority in verses 1 and 2. He commends the Corinthians believers for remembering him. He also appreciates their adherence to his previous instructions. He reminds them they need to follow everything he teaches them. They are to hold firmly to the traditions. These are not man-made traditions, but biblical traditions handed down from God.

 ³ But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and God is the head of Christ. 

1 Corinthians 11:3

Verse three is the key of the whole chapter and the most important principle we can get from it. It tells us three things.

First, Christ is the head of every man. What does that mean? The head is the symbol of authority. Christ is the direct authority over every man. We are under him. That means we must submit to Him and His will. That means we have to follow Him in everything from the heart.

Second, Man is the head of a woman. This is true in the church (1 Timothy 2), in the home (Ephesians 5), and just in God’s general order for the world (Genesis 2). God has given man the authority as exercising dominion on the earth and this includes over woman. This means that women must subject themselves to men, but notice that it says “a woman”. Man is the head of his own wife. Also, Ephesians 5 says that women are to submit to their own husbands. Their own husbands are their direct authority (also the men leadership in the church). Scripture cannot be more clear. Note that God gives men specific guidelines. They must use this authority properly. Men must not abuse it.

Third, God is the head of Christ. For those who think that being under authority of someone else means that you are inferior to them, think again. Christ submitted Himself to the authority of the Father. Was He inferior to Him? No! Different roles does not mean different value.

 ⁴ Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head. ⁵ Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved. ⁶ For if a woman doesn’t cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. But if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her head be covered.

⁷ A man should not cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God. So too, woman is the glory of man. 

1 Corinthians 11:4-7

To properly understand this chapter we definitely need to understand the cultural background to it. At that time women were to have a head covering in these kinds of situations. If men did, it was a reversal of proper roles.

Verse 4 says it was a disgrace for men to wear a covering as it is a reversal of roles. Some have also suggested that men should take off their hat in front of superiors. However, to me, this doesn’t seem like a cultural practice at that time.

Verses 5 and 6 is suggesting that women can pray or prophesy is not an endorsement for women to teach men in church as some suggest. That is already clearly forbidden. Rather it is an acknowledgment that leading men is not the only place to practice these things. Women can pray at home or perhaps fellowships. They can pray and lead women or children. This verse shoots down the idea that the covering is the hair. That statement is like saying, “If a woman does not have hair, let her cut it off.” Or even, “Shave her head.” It doesn’t make sense. Rather it is saying that a woman without a head covering is just as disgraceful as a woman who has shaved her head. Shaving her head was a symbol of rebellion against man’s authority and proper God-given roles.

Uncovering a head can be a sign of respect for men in the presence of a superior.

Now watch in the Corinthian society. The women were supposed to be submissive. They had a symbol, a sign, or a token of submission. The token they had was a veil. In that time and region, women in a Corinthian or a Gentile society wore a veil as a symbol of submission and modesty. It also symbolized their humility.

Now only two kinds of women took their veil off. One was a harlot. You want to know what you are getting into, so you want to see what she looked like. So harlots were unveiled. So women took their veil off for the purpose of prostituting. Second, were feminists. They took their veil off as a symbol of protesting. They were going to demand equal rights with men. It was off with the veil, and so forth! In those days it wasn’t “Burn the bra!” it was “Burn the veil!” It was the same idea: the idea that women are going to “demand rights” equal to men.

So you had the feminists and the harlots: the protesting and the prostituting. So Paul writes to these dear Corinthians and he says, “Ladies, keep your veils on.” Now let me tell you something folks: that isn’t for today. He is saying that in your society and in your time, people recognize that as submission. Now you respond to that symbol so that the world doesn’t see the church rebelling against a God-ordained principle.

You see?

That’s what he is saying. “And, by the way,” he says, “It’s not a bad principle that women should have covering, because God even did that naturally!”

Look down in verse 14.

 ¹⁴ Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair it is a disgrace to him,

1 Corinthians 11:14

“Does not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man has long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given to her for a covering.”

Verse 7 is a repeat of the previous principle. Man is God’s delegate on earth to exercise dominion over it and rule it. Woman is man’s helper to do this. The roles of men and women in Scripture are abundantly clear. To deny them is to deny the authority of God. It is also to deny the authority of Christ. Moreover, it is to declare yourself the head of the universe.

In verse 8, why is the “for” there? How does this connect to the principle on head covering. These verses delve into the second foundation principle from verse 3. They explain that man is the head of a woman. It explains two basic reasons why women are under the authority of man. Notice that both of these reasons go back to creation. The first reason is that man came before the woman. Man was created first and then woman came from the man. That is what the word “woman” actually means. The second is that woman was created for man and not the other way around. Woman was created as a helper for man, a helper to bring glory to God and exercise dominion over the earth. This helper is to submit herself to man’s authority.

Verse 10 is interesting. If a woman didn’t wear the symbol of authority on her head the angels would be offended. Angels observe the world and the goings on of humans. Sometimes I wished I had a birds eye view of what they see. I wonder what they think of humans. As spectators, they cheer for us to do what is right. They are happy when we serve God and are grieved when we don’t. Already the fallen angels rebelled against God and didn’t submit themselves as they should. If angels see that women are doing the same thing against man it will offend them.

¹¹ In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, and man is not independent of woman. ¹² For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman, and all things come from God.

1 Corinthians 11:11-12

These verses are reminding man not to be prideful and trod on women. Men are not superior to women. They are actually born of women. Before you spurn women, think about who your mother was. Consider her pregnancy, her giving birth to you, and raising you. In the end God is over everything and man has to submit to God.

We continue to verse 13. Paul told them that it is self-evident. For women to pray to God with their head uncovered was improper and shameful. To me, this is another evidence that this is a cultural custom. At that time it was a symbol of rejecting authority. It WAS self-evident that it was wrong at that time. Just like taking off your shoe and throwing it at a dignitary (like someone did to Bush) is a very negative thing in the Middle East. Spitting in someone’s path is negative in the US. Wearing pants in the Middle East can be controversial. Kissing a guy as a greeting in the US or not kissing a guy as a greeting in the Middle East also illustrates cultural differences. The list goes on and on.

In some cultures it is rude to slurp your soup. In others it is rude not to. But the underlying principle for Christians is to BE POLITE IN THE CULTURE YOU ARE IN. The root principle of the head coverings is to outwardly demonstrate your inward submission and respect to your husband. This principle should be practiced in all cultures. But frankly, wearing a head covering just doesn’t accomplish that in the Western world.

In what ways can a woman today show her submission to her husband? Not interrupting when he is talking. Allow him to lead and make decisions. Ask his opinion, etc.

In verses 14 and 15, we see sometimes things are self-evident. Women generally grow longer hair than men. Men lose hair earlier and find it difficult to grow it as quickly or as long. Women’s long hair shows a certain tenderness and gentleness. These two verses teach us another thing that is self-evident to most people. Although not all cultures require a head covering for submission, it is important for women. They should dress in a feminine way and wear their hair accordingly. This is proper according to nature. God designed it to reflect the differences between man and women. It establishes a certain order. Men should be masculine. Women should be feminine.

In verse 16, although some would be likely to contend and not listen. Paul says there is no other practice or option. The principle is for women to act like women, wear proper clothes and proper hairdos. Women are to submit to men. They should specifically submit to their husband. Women have the subordinate role God designed for them. Where culture dictates it women are to wear head coverings to show their submission to their husband.

I have seen a lot of nasty debate go on within social media groups about these scriptures. Some take it literal and others get deeply offended. I believe Paul’s message is clear. As women, we are to be covered by the blood of Christ. This should be shown in our words, actions, and lives. Our character is our “head covering.” There should be no doubt to those around us who we serve and who we are submitted to.

© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.