1Cor 11:3-16 | 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 ).

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).
Summary for 1Cor 11:4-6: 11:4-6 ⁱ In this passage, head is used in both a literal and a figurative sense. A man who covers his (physical) head when he prays dishonors his (spiritual) head, Christ. A woman who prays or prophesies without a covering on her (physical) head thereby dishonors her (spiritual) head, her husband.

• The spiritual gift of prophesying is the God-given ability to speak a specific word from God, not merely to predict the future (cp. 12:10 ^j; 14:1-5 ^k; 1 Thes 5:20 ^l).

• if she prays or prophesies: Women were allowed to engage in public praying and prophesying in the church (cp. Acts 21:9 ^m).
11:7 ⁿ man is made in God’s image: See Gen 1:26-27 ^o.
11:10 ^p because the angels are watching: Angels are guardians of the created order, appointed to ensure that everything is done according to God’s plan (see Gen 19:1-21 ^q; 22:11-12 ^r; Exod 23:20 ^s; Num 22:22-23 ^t; Pss 34:7 ^u; 91:11 ^v; 103:20-21 ^w; Heb 1:7 ^x, 14 ^y). Believers are to do what is appropriate in the sight of fellow humans and God’s observing angels (cp. 1 Tim 5:21 ^z).

• should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority: Or should have authority over her own head.
Summary for 1Cor 11:11-12: 11:11-12 ^aa These verses qualify the preceding verses. Believers recognize that God has made men and women mutually dependent on one another.

• Everything comes from God (cp. 8:6 ^ab): Both men and women must ultimately submit to God, the head of all.
11:13 ^ac Is it right? This rhetorical question expects the answer “no.”
11:14 ^ad Isn’t it obvious? (literally Doesn’t nature itself teach you?): In Paul’s culture, men would never wear long hair.
11:15 ^ae Paul argues that social conventions regarding hair length express fundamental differences between men and women.

• it has been given to her as a covering: Paul suggests that women’s long hair, covering their head, shows that God intends women to have some type of “covering.”
11:16 ^af if anyone wants to argue about this: Some in the cosmopolitan Corinthian church did not agree with Paul.

• Paul’s final argument is that the use of a head covering was an established custom of the church. Most contemporary interpreters take this verse to mean that the custom was culturally based.