Weekly Newsletter 04/06/23

Peace to you!

Perhaps you’ve wondered before about the covering of heads for women, so today, we’ll briefly look at this topic. The main text addressing this issue is 1 Corinthians 11:3-16. Our goal is to quickly look at the main elements of this text. Right away, I want to note that this text is difficult to interpret because it necessitates knowing particular cultural details of the people who lived in Corinth. Unfortunately, this knowledge is limited so the interpretation will be less dogmatic and more generalized.

“But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Cor. 11:3)

(v. 3) – This is the main thesis of the whole paragraph, talking about who has the responsibility and headship. It’s talking about submission and the acceptance of headship here. Submission becomes the most important. This is the main idea of the paragraph. It is the submission and the recognition of the authority of the husband by the wife that becomes most important. Why? A wife can reject her husband’s headship even with a covered head. How many wives who adorn a head covering completely disregard their husbands? If a head covering solved the problem of submission, then this verse would not have been written at the top! But here we see very important theological truths that stand as the foundation of submission: God the Father is the head of Christ, the Son of God is the head of the husband, and the husband is the head of the wife.

One important thing to note is that a head covering is not a handkerchief or light bandana sort of thing. In the context of the time, it was a fabric much akin to how Muslim women cover themselves today.

“For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.” (1 Cor. 11:7-9)

(vv. 7-9) – Paul turns his attention to creation and its effects. But notice, he doesn’t see a direct link in the text between creation and the covering of the head. All he’s saying is that during creation concrete, measurable differences were established between the ROLE of a man and a woman. God created them with different roles. The covering of the head in Corinth supported this establishment.

“That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.” (1 Cor. 11:10)

(v. 10) – In this text there are more questions than answers. What does a symbol of authority mean for the angels? Who are these angels? Are these good or evil angels? Are these elders in the church? That seems like an implausible conclusion from this context. If these are angels, then why is the head covering necessary only during a gathering (vv. 4-5)? In the original, there isn’t even the word, “symbol.” If a woman is meant to have authority on her head, then what does this mean? Very smart minds have been struggling with these questions for many years…

“Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.” (1 Cor. 11:14-15)

(vv. 14-15) – We see an example from nature itself. What is happening here? Paul is directing our attention to look at nature. God created men and women with different external features; and men and women should seek to preserve these distinctions. How these differences are expressed can vary across cultures. Nevertheless, there is always a cultural context where people recognize how a woman looks or vice versa.

Thus, we can conclude that the main idea of this paragraph has to do with accepting authority. Even though a husband and wife are created with equal value, they have different roles and, thus, different authority. In the church, this sequence must be followed and proclaimed. The main thing is submission; but how it is expressed in our context can differ.

Let’s look at a clearer text (1 Pet. 3:1-6). Peter talks about how wives ought to focus not on external adornment but on inner peace and submission. This is the main thing! In verse 3 we can notice that the braiding of hair was visible, meaning that hair was not covered so it was important to see it. If all hair were always covered then instructions to cover the hair would be irrelevant.

First Tim. 2:9-15 talks about submission during a gathering. Once again, if the covering of the head was so important, then we could expect specific instructions, but none are written.

A couple of conclusions:

1. This is the expression of submission and acceptance of the authority of the husband. If this is culturally expressed by a head covering, then do that. If the culture where you are does not demand this, then be free from it.
2.  This is an opportunity to serve and love your neighbor. Unfortunately, people in the church can judge those who do not wear a head covering, while others can look at those who wear a head covering with contempt.

Right before bringing up the topic of submission, Paul writes the following:

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offence to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.” (1 Cor. 10:31-33).

Friends, starting next month, we will be holding an extra Communion service for those who cannot attend Sunday morning services. On the Thursday following Communion Sunday, part of the prayer service will be dedicated to Communion.

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⁸ I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure.
¹⁰ For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
    or let your holy one see corruption.

Psalm 16:8-10