1Cor 11:3 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Cor 11:3-16: 11:3-16 Paul now addresses a woman’s use of a head covering. Paul argues that women publicly praying or prophesying should wear a veil as an element of dressing modestly and appropriately in public worship (cp. 1 Tim 2:9 ; 1 Pet 3:3 ). Apparently some in Corinth were rejecting head coverings based on freedom in Christ. Paul’s argument in favor of the custom is based on traditional social conventions, the Genesis account of creation, and the watchful eye of angels . 11:3 The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God: The NLT gives the literal reading head, which is a metaphor for either source or authority . The immediate context and Paul’s overall teaching both favor understanding head in this context as meaning authority (see Gen 3:16 ; Eph 5:21-23 ; Col 3:18 ; 1 Pet 3:1 ).

a11:3-16►

b1 Tim 2:9►

c1 Pet 3:3►

d11:3►

eGen 3:16►

fEph 5:21-23►

gCol 3:18►

h1 Pet 3:1►

‏ 1 Corinthians 11:3

Summary for 1Cor 11:3-16: 11:3-16 ^a Paul now addresses a woman’s use of a head covering. Paul argues that women publicly praying or prophesying should wear a veil as an element of dressing modestly and appropriately in public worship (cp. 1 Tim 2:9 ^b; 1 Pet 3:3 ^c). Apparently some in Corinth were rejecting head coverings based on freedom in Christ. Paul’s argument in favor of the custom is based on traditional social conventions, the Genesis account of creation, and the watchful eye of angels. 11:3 ^d The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God: The NLT gives the literal reading head, which is a metaphor for either source or authority. The immediate context and Paul’s overall teaching both favor understanding head in this context as meaning authority (see Gen 3:16 ^e; Eph 5:21-23 ^f; Col 3:18 ^g; 1 Pet 3:1 ^h).