Biblical Teaching of Headship and the Christian Woman's Headcovering

The subject of headship, is perhaps the most controversial issue of our modern Christian society. The idea of equality of the sexes has so permeated the thought processes of our age that to speak of any differences between male and female is to be considered politically incorrect. Therefore the topic of this treatise is perhaps the most disputed one of our age. Since the Lordʼs Church has concerned itself with being a reflection of the society in which it finds itself, our present topic is then controversial even in the congregations of the Lordʼs church. This should not be the case. The Church should not be a thermometer that simply reflects the temperature of its surroundings; but, the Church should concern herself with being our societyʼs thermostat that sets a standard which will bring societyʼs norms up to the presetting of Holy Scripture. Having said that, we will embark on a study of 1 Corinthians 11:1-16.

It should be stated at the very beginning of our study that this author is dedicated to bringing you the first century gospel in and for the twenty-first century world. We believe that the Lordʼs Church, of any century, should be preaching and practicing what the Bible teaches.

In 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 we find, perhaps, the single most controversial subject in the New Testament. It was controversial in Paulʼs day and it remains so today. I am very aware that most of the people who call themselves Christians, especially in the western world, do not practice the injunction that the apostle Paul sets down for the Lordʼs Church in this portion of Godʼs Word. However, it is our hope that those of you who read this study are mature enough to appreciate an in-depth look into the logic and reasoning behind Paulʼs teaching of the Christian womanʼs headcovering. This teaching enjoins upon the Lordʼs Church that a Christian woman should have her head covered when in the public place of meeting. We realize, however, that many Christians of the twenty-first century do not practice this portion of the New Testament. I must say that I am surprised, even appalled, that so many of Godʼs people have ignored this teaching, since such a large portion of the New Testament scripture is dedicated to it. The teaching of the Christian womanʼs headcovering in public worship has its basis in the principle of headship which is taught in the Christian Scriptures.

I suppose that we should not be surprised that the practice of headcovering has fallen by the wayside since so much of Godʼs church has forsaken His order of headship altogether. It is important to understand that the headcovering is only the “wineskin” which contains the “wine;” namely, the principle of headship. The wineskin is the object lesson which teaches the principle - which is the wine. I must hasten to say that it is this teacherʼs observation that when the object lesson of any principle is ignored the tenet is soon forgotten altogether. That is to say: “If the wineskin is neglected the wine will spoil.”

In 1 Corinthians 11:3 we read: “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.” This is the very basis for the teaching of headcovering. Paul goes on to instruct the Christian Church that women, when in public worship, where they may participate in praying and prophesying, should have their heads covered; the men, on the other hand, are to be uncovered. The apostle Paul begins his teaching on headship by admonishing the Corinthian church to be followers of him just as he was of Christ (see verse 1).

The Corinthian Christians were not the best behaved. They presented their Apostle many occasions for scolding them. Some feel, however, that this was not one of those. As we see in verse 2, Paul seems to praise them for keeping “the ordinances as” he “delivered them.” If this is the proper interpretation, it does appear that Paul is not correcting belligerent Christian women who were coming to the assembly with their heads uncovered.

However, others see in Paulʼs praise an attempt at reverse psychology; for in this chapter he introduces two ordinances: Headcovering and the Lordʼs Supper. Concerning their observance of the latter he clearly states: “I praise you not” (verse 22). So obviously, the Corinthians were not remembering Paul “in all things,” and were not keeping the ordinances as he “delivered them.” At any rate, Paul is writing to address certain abuses that had arisen in Corinth - the matter of headcovering being one.

Therefore, Paulʼs opening remark: “I praise you, brethren...” may best be taken as “I praise you, brethren (in advance)... that you would remember me and keep the ordinances as I delivered them unto you.” In which case the idea would be, “I pray you brethren...” I personally would take this tack, because of Paulʼs statement “that you remember me in all things.” For obviously the Corinthians had not remembered all of Paulʼs teachings (see verses 22, 23).

The Apostleʼs discourse to the Corinthians on the subject of headcovering takes a definite course. First, in verses 3 through 6 the Apostle identifies, and takes great pains, to enjoin the ordinance of headcovering upon the Church at Corinth. Second, in verses 7 through 10 Paul sets down the Spiritual and Scriptural Arguments for the ordinance of headcovering, of which he lists four. Third, in verses 13 through 16 Paul reasons with the Corinthians in behalf of the headcovering from three areas of life: conscience, nature, and society.

I. Headcovering Identified and Enjoined (1 Corinthians 11:3-6).

"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. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 5 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. 6 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."

II. Headcovering Established By Four Spiritual and Scriptural Arguments (1Corinthians 11: 7-10).

"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. 8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels."

A. The woman is the glory of man;

B. The woman was created from the man;

C. The woman was created for the man;

D. Because of the angles.

III. Headcovering Is Reasoned From Three Areas of Life (1 Corinthians 11:11-16).

"Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. 13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. 17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse."

A. Conscience

B. Nature

C. Society

Having introduced the study of Christian headship and the Christian woman's headcovering, and having shown the outline of the Apostle's discourse we will enter into that discourse in our next episode.

Apostolically Speaking

☩ Jerry L Hayes