1. Head Coverings
1 Corinthians 11:1-16

2. Opening Remarks Thank you for being here! Thanks for having me.
A controversial subject, but important one (We can’t disregard any Scripture)
Paul urged Corinthians to speak the same thing (1 Corinthians 1:10)
Let’s all be open to learning (Acts 17:11)
We could all be wrong, but we can’t all be right

3. Opening Remarks Some unanswered questions with any position
We’re still obligated to accept & apply the teaching
Preachers must teach about this subject
God’s Word is inspired, external evidence is not

4. What is the best understanding can we gain from Scripture alone?

5. Translation Considerations
Preserve Paul’s distinction of “δέ” and “ἀλλά” (suggest δέ=and, ἀλλά=but)
Consistently use “ἀνήρ“ and“γυνὴ” (suggest ἀνήρ=man, γυνὴ=woman)
Consistent use of “διὰ” and “ἐκ” (suggest “διὰ”=on account of, “ἐκ” = out
Preserve as much information as possible through translation process and let the reader interpret

6. Important Questions What? (Veil or Hair) Why? (Custom or Command)
Who? (Inspired or Everyone)
Where? (Assembly or Anywhere)
How? (Spoken Prayer or Silent)
When? (Praying or Prophesying Only, Worship Only, All The Time)

7. United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament 4th Edition
I Corinthians 11:1-16
United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament 4th Edition
English Translation by Joe Hamm
1 You be imitators of me just as I also (am) of Christ. 2 And I praise you because everything of me you have remembered and, just as I delivered to you, you keep the traditions. 3 And I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, and the man is the head of woman and God is head of Christ. 4 Every man praying, or (who) prophesies with having (something) on (his) head dishonors his head. 5 And every woman praying or prophesying with the head uncovered dishonors her head; for (she) is one and the same (as if) she were shaven (by someone). 6 For if woman does not cover her head, she should also have herself shorn. And if (it is) shameful for woman to shear herself or to shave herself, let her be covered. 7 For truly man ought not cover his head. He is the likeness and splendor of God; and the woman is (the) splendor of man. 8 For man is not out of woman, but woman out of man. 9 For man was not created on account of the woman, but woman on account of the man. 10 On account of this, the woman ought to have authority on the head on account of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor man independent of woman. 12 For just as the woman (is) out of the man, in this manner the man through the woman. And all things are out of God. 13 You judge for yourselves; Is (it) proper (for) woman to pray to God uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if man has long hair, truly (it is) (a) dishonor to him. 15 and if woman has long hair (it is) (an) honor to her? Because the long hair for veil has been given. 16 And if anyone thinks to be contentious, we do not have a practice such as this nor (do) the churches of God.

8. Outline The Veil Required Position Local Custom Position
Long Hair Only Position
Spiritual Gifts Position

9. Outline The Veil Required Position Local Custom Position
Long Hair Only Position
Spiritual Gifts Position

10. Veil Required Position
Paul’s teaching on headship (11:3) is both universal and timeless
Paul’s instructions on head covering (11:4-5) are based on instructions of headship (11:3)
Primary reasons given: nature of man, creation order, angels (each explains “ought” statements 11:7-10)
Paul gives secondary arguments to backup his primary arguments
All reasons transcend culture and custom

11. Primary Reasons Given Nature of Man (11:7)
Man is made in God’s likeness and splendor
Woman is the splendid appearance of man
Creation Order (11:8-9)
Woman was created from man (Gen. 2:21-23)
Woman was created for man (Gen. 2:18)
The Angels (11:10)

12. Questions Is man still made in God’s image?
Is woman still the glory of man?
Has the creation order changed?
Have the angels changed?

13. If The reasons for the teaching are still true, then the teaching is still true

14. Secondary Arguments Appeal To Propriety (11:6)
Appeal To Corinthians’ Judgment (11:13)
Comparison To Nature’s Teaching (11:14-15)
Comparison To Apostolic and Church Practice (11:16)

15. Appeal To Propriety
5 And every woman praying or prophesying with the head uncovered dishonors her head. For (she) is one and the same (as if) she were shaven (by someone) For if woman does not cover her head, she should also have herself shorn. And if (it is) shameful for woman to shear herself or to shave herself, let her be covered.
-1 Corinthians 11:5-6
A woman praying or prophesying uncovered is just like having a shaved head.
Since it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

16. Appeal To Judgment The Corinthians should already know what is proper
13 You judge for yourselves; Is (it) proper (for) woman to pray to God uncovered?
-1 Corinthians 11:13
The Corinthians should already know what is proper
Paul is not granting authority for them to set doctrine
Similar question posed in 1 Corinthians 10:15
15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
--1 Corinthians 10:15-16 (NKJV)

17. Compared To Nature’s Teaching
14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if man has long hair, truly (it is) (a) dishonor to him. 15 and if woman has long hair (it is) (an) honor to her? Because the long hair for veil has been given.
-1 Corinthians 11:14-15
Nature has always illustrated Paul’s teaching
A woman’s long hair is a figure comparable to the veil
“ἀντὶ”=for, in place of, for this reason, in view of, because of (a marker, figurative contrast)
The words “type” and “antitype” illustrate this idea of figurative contrast

18. Paul’s use of ἀντὶ in his letters
(it is unclear if Paul wrote Hebrews, but included)
“κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ” = evil for evil (Rom. 12:17, 1 Thess. 5:15)
“ἀντὶ τούτου καταλείψει” = “for this reason a man shall leave” (Eph. 5:31)
“ἀντὶ τῆς προκειμένης αὐτῷ χαρᾶς” = “in view of the joy set before Him” (Heb. 12:2)
“Ἠσαῦ ὃς ἀντὶ βρώσεως μιᾶς” = “Esau, who because of one meal” (Heb. 12:16) (Note: could also translate “for one meal”)
“ἡ κόμη ἀντὶ περιβολαίου δέδοται” = “the long hair __?__ veil has been given” (1 Cor. 11:15)

19. Compared To Apostolic & Church Practice
16 And if anyone thinks to be contentious, we do not have a practice such as this nor (do) the churches of God.
-1 Corinthians 11:16
Paul is not saying “Don’t argue and forget what I just said.”
Apostles and churches were all consistent in their practice
Those who thought contrary to this teaching were to look at what other churches were doing (1 Corinthians 1:10, 4:17, 7:17, 14:33, 16:1)
Paul’s use of “if anyone thinks” always implies they’re wrong (see also 1 Corinthians 3:18, 8:2, 14:37)

20. “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” -1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV)
“For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.” -1 Corinthians 4:17 (NKJV)
“But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.”
-1 Corinthians 7:17 (NKJV)
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” -1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV)
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:” Corinthians 16:1 (NKJV)

21. Εἰ τις δοκεῖ = “if anyone thinks” = they’re wrong!
“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.” Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)
“And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.” - 1 Corinthians 8:2 (NKJV)
“But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. -1 Corinthians 11:16 (NKJV)
“If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 14:37 (NKJV)
Εἰ τις δοκεῖ = “if anyone thinks” = they’re wrong!

22. Primary Reasons Given Nature of Man (11:7)
Man is made in God’s likeness and splendor
Woman is the splendid appearance of man
Creation Order (11:8-9)
Woman was created from man (Gen. 2:21-23)
Woman was created for man (Gen. 2:18)
The Angels (11:10)

23. Secondary Arguments Appeal To Propriety (11:6)
Appeal To Corinthians’ Judgment (11:13)
Comparison To Nature’s Teaching (11:14-15)
Comparison To Apostolic and Church Practice (11:16)

24. Common Objections “A doily is not a covering”
Why cover only in the assembly?
Why require the covering while not praying?

25. “Doily not a covering”
This argument doesn’t disprove Paul’s teaching (red herring)
At best, it can only shows others aren’t following Paul’s instruction
The passage does not give specifications for a covering (ie size, shape, color, material)
However, the covering should cover the head
What kind of covering would long hair symbolize?

26. Limiting To Assembly No textual indication to limit to the assembly
“I praise you” (11:2), “Now I do not praise” (11:17) (1 Corinthians 11:17-18, 20, 33-34; 14:23, 26, 34-35)
Women could not prophesy in the assembly (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)
Women must have prophesied outside the assembly (Luke 2:36; Acts 2:17, 21:9)
Therefore, Paul’s teaching not limited to assembly

27. Covering While Not Praying
Paul’s teaching only requires covering when “praying or prophesying”
Singing is not prophesying (no biblical support)
Therefore, not required throughout worship (but not wrong either, could be sin of conscience)
“pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17) doesn’t mean 24/7 prayer (Acts 5:42)
Therefore, covering not required all the time...but have it nearby for praying

28. Outline The Veil Required View Local Custom View Long Hair Only View
Spiritual Gifts View

29. Local Custom View View requires reliance on external evidence
You can’t conclude local custom by listening to all the scholars (they don’t agree, pick your favorites)
Views the covering as an antiquated custom (compares to holy kiss and foot washing)
Note: holy kisses and foot washing still apply, just not as part of public worship
If covering was just custom, what else is custom? (unleavened bread, fruit of the vine, traditional marriage, male elders and preachers)

30. Problems With Custom Position
1 Timothy 2:11-13
(NASB)
11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.
1 Corinthians 11:8-9 (NASB)
8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.
Creation argument also used for women preacher’s
These passages stand or fall together
Is the prohibition of women preachers cultural?

31. The Custom View “cherry picks” Doctrines Our customs find tolerable

32. Outline The Veil Required View Local Custom View Long Hair Only View
Spiritual Gifts View

33. Long Hair Only View
Views “long hair” as the only covering required (11:15)
IF long hair was given “in place of” a veil, it seems to admit the existence of an artificial veil.
1 Corinthians 11:6 would mean “if short, cut short”
Two greek words for covering used in the passage: (κατακαλύπτῳ, περιβολαίου)

34. Long Hair Only View
Being covered while “praying or prophesying” implies the possibility of not being covered otherwise
Haman covered his head while mourning (Esther 6:12)
Context describes a removable covering worn for an occasion
If women are always covered with long hair, men are always uncovered with short hair (i.e. men can pray with hats on)
If a veil can substitute long hair, it validates that an artificial veil is being discussed (pick one)

35. Long Hair Only View
4 Every man praying, or (who) prophesies with having (something) on (his) head dishonors his head. 5 And every woman praying or prophesying with the head uncovered dishonors her head; for (she) is one and the same (as if) she were shaven (by someone). 6 For if woman does not cover her head, she should also have herself shorn. And if (it is) shameful for woman to shear herself or to shave herself, let her be covered.
-1 Corinthians 11:1-6

36. Outline The Veil Required View Local Custom View Long Hair Only View
Spiritual Gifts View

37. Spiritual Gifts View Views “praying or prophesying” as both miraculous
“Paul’s teaching only applies to those with miraculous gifts. No miracles today, so covering doesn’t apply”
Inspired prophesy doesn’t prove inspired prayer (praying OR prophesying, praying AND prophesying)
“Now concerning spiritual gifts” is later in 12:1
Prayer is not mentioned among the spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-10)

38. Spiritual Gifts View Romans 12:6-8 lists both miraculous & other gifts
Prayer is normally uninspired (Romans 8:26-27)
Can’t prove Paul’s teaching is only for “inspired prayer” or “leading prayer”, so it still applies
We still apply other spiritual gift teachings today

39. “How is it then, brethren
“How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.”
-1 Corinthians 14:26 (NKJV)
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” -1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV)
“Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.” Corinthians 14:34-35 (NKJV)
“Let all things be done decently and in order.”
-1 Corinthians 14:40 (NKJV)

40. Outline The Veil Required Position Local Custom Position
Long Hair Only Position
Spiritual Gifts Position

41. In Closing Headship: God->Christ->Man->Woman
This passage is about honoring headship
Man is to pray uncovered, women to pray covered
Primary reasons: nature of man (11:7), creation order (11:8-9), the angels (11:10)
Secondary reasons: propriety (11:6), good judgment (11:13), nature teaches it (11:14-15), the practice of the apostles & churches (11:16)

42. Resources
United Bible Society Greek New Testament 4th Ed.
A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament And Other Early Christian Literature 3rd Ed. (BDAG)
Bible Hub
Greek Word Study Tool
New Testament Greek Online Courses
StudyLight.org
“The Head Coverings of 1 Corinthians 11” by Paul K. Williams
Good audio debates/charts on this and other topics
Kevin Kay:The Covering ( Archives-> Corinthians->Kevin Kay:The Covering)