Bible Studies

INTRODUCTION

Many believers feel that it is totally unnecessary for Christian women to have their heads covered at gatherings of the Lord's people. What does the Bible say? Read the relevant verses in 1 Corinthians 11.2-16, and then refer to the passage as each point is made in the notes.

• 1 Corinthians 11 is a chapter of symbols. In the first half the human head is seen as a symbol: in the latter part a loaf and a cup are symbolic of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus.
• In our passage, the man's head is seen as a symbol of his spiritual head, Christ. The woman's head is seen as a symbol of her spiritual head, the man.
• Verse 3 explains that there are various levels of headship, i.e. various levels of authority. Christ is the head of the man. The man is the head of the woman. God is the head of Christ. (In His incarnation, the Lord Jesus voluntarily took a position of subjection to His Father. This does not affect the truth of His deity or equality with the Father: these facts are taught elsewhere in Scripture.)
• For a man to be in the gathering with a covered head is dishonouring to his spiritual head, Christ. Christ must be supreme - this must be true literally, and is expressed symbolically in the uncovered heads of the males. In symbol, Christ must be visible and obvious (v.4).
• For a woman to be in the gathering with an uncovered head is dishonouring to the man, for she is assuming the appearance that he ought to have. The only alternative to having her head covered is to be "shorn or shaven" which is seen as so repulsive that it is no alternative at all (vv.5-6).
• Because the man is the image and glory of God, his head should be uncovered: because the woman is the glory of the man her head should be covered. When we gather, God's authority must be acknowledged supremely, with any authority the man has being derived from Him. Thus the woman by covering her head is saying symbolically that man's glory should never be on show in the things of God (v.7).
• Another factor is that angels are spectators. The women should have covered heads, acknowledging the authority of the men, because of the angels (v.10). Paul had been speaking of the first man and the first woman. The first woman had acted independently of the man with disastrous results (Gen 3). Angels had witnessed that. They had also seen some of their own number being carried away by Lucifer's rebellion against God's authority. The New Testament church should be a place where angels can observe God's order of authority being acknowledged both literally and symbolically, in that the males have uncovered heads, and the females covered heads.
• The final argument is that our own natural instincts should help us to appreciate that what has been taught about the head covering is right (vv.13-16). An added factor is that God has further distinguished between the appearances of the sexes in that long hair is a natural glory for a woman but dishonouring to a man.

OBJECTIONS

• Some believers are unhappy about applying the teaching of 1 Corinthians 11 in the modern world. It has been suggested that the wedding ring is the modern equivalent for the covered head. However, 1 Corinthians 11 is not dealing with husbands and wives in a domestic situation, but men and women in general in the context of a New Testament church.
• Another objection that has been raised is that the problem addressed was local to Corinth and should be interpreted within the culture of that district. Chapter 1.2 shows that the epistle has to be applied universally: as an inspired letter it should have acceptance with every believer in every place.
• If the head covering is seen as irrelevant, it seems inconsistent to accept the symbolism relating to the Lord's Supper at the end of 1Corinthians 11, and to reject the symbolism of the early verses.

PASSAGES TO STUDY AND QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

1. In v.2 Paul praised the Corinthians. Find the verse in the chapter where he says, "I praise you not", and find out why.
2. The word translated "ordinances" in v.2 of the AV, means traditions. Just note that traditions are binding if based on the Word of God. Beware of anyone who tries to tell you that what you are practising according to Scripture is just "the traditions of your church".
3. Read Genesis 3.16 to see the occasion when God gave authority to the man.
4. In the passage, mention is made of prophesying. This does not only mean foretelling the future. In the days before the Bible was completed, a New Testament prophet received a message from God and passed it on to the people (1 Cor 14.29-33). The gift of prophecy ended with the completion of the Word of God (1 Cor 13.8-13). We now have Bible teachers.
5. The words "covered" and "cover" are used in vv.6 and 7, and the word "covering" in v.15, where the reference is to the woman's long hair. Use your Strong's concordance to confirm that the word in v.15 is the translation of a different Greek word from the earlier verses, so that there is no suggestion that the long hair is the only covering necessary.
6. It is "a shame" for a woman to be shorn or shaven (v.6). What is it a shame for her to do in ch.14?
7. Read Genesis 2.21-22, to discover the meaning of v.8, and Genesis 2.18, which explains the meaning of v.9.
8. Angels are interested in the local church (v.10). They are also interested in the larger aspect of the church, that is, the body of Christ (Eph 3.10). In that passage what do they learn about through the church? (The verse describes them as "principalities and powers"). They are also interested in individual believers (1 Cor 4.9). How does Paul describe himself and his fellow apostles in that verse?
9. While Paul has taught the headship of the man, notice that in vv.10-11 he shows that "in the Lord", men and women are dependent on each other. They fulfil complementary roles, and the whole structure of things is according to God's wise sovereign plan: "all things of God" (v.12).
10. Read the story in 2 Samuel 18 of a man whose long hair was the cause of his death.

Finally, read Romans 6.1-11

1. List the references to the verb "to know".
2. How does Paul refer to our relationship to sin in v.2?
3. Which phrase in v.4 indicates that the Christian's life should be completely different from what it was before conversion?
4. What happened to our "old man" (v.6)?
5. Note that the whole concept of death, burial, and resurrection throughout this passage is symbolised in baptism, and the symbol is adequate only if the baptised person is put under the water (briefly).