Jim McDonald

In 1 Corinthians 11:3-7, Paul gave instructions regarding the necessity for women in Corinth to wear a veil when they prayed or prophesied. Some have concluded from these instructions that all women must wear a hat in worship. While such a conclusion may be sincere, it is not the necessary conclusion drawn from the apostle’s teaching.

First, the apostle identified the “headship” of those involved. He wrote, “The head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God” (1 Corinthians 11:3). Thus, when he stated that a man who prayed or prophesied with his head covered dishonored his head, he referred to Christ. Likewise, when a woman prayed or prophesied with her head uncovered, she dishonored her head, that is, man.

There are two common but incorrect conclusions drawn from this passage. The first is the idea that, because Paul wrote in verse 15, “If a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering,” there is only one covering under discussion in the chapter — namely, the hair. This is not correct. Two coverings are mentioned: one is the natural covering of hair and the other is a physical covering worn over the head. If hair were the only covering intended, then a man’s hair would be his only covering, and if he must be uncovered when praying or prophesying, it would follow that he must shave his head. This is clearly not Paul’s meaning.

The second error concerns the nature of the covering itself, which many assume to be a hat. However, a hat does not fulfill the requirement described in the passage. The term used carries the idea of something “hanging down,” which better corresponds to a veil. Some translations reflect this by using the word “veil” rather than “covering.” The apostle’s instruction was that women wear a veil in cultures where appearing without one while praying or prophesying would be understood as dishonoring their head.

In ancient Corinth and other eastern regions, specific meanings were attached to the wearing of veils. One such understanding was that a woman wore a veil to acknowledge the headship of man and to demonstrate submission to that order. To pray or prophesy without such a covering was viewed as dishonoring her head. Woman is described as the glory of man, being both from man and created for him (1 Corinthians 11:8). Conversely, since man is the image and glory of God, covering his head while praying or prophesying would dishonor his head, Christ (1 Corinthians 11:7).

Do Americans or those outside the Middle East hold the same cultural understanding regarding the meaning of a veil? Not generally. Do people in these cultures conclude that a woman who prays or prophesies without a veil has rejected male headship and dishonored her head? No. Do they interpret an uncovered head or short hair as a sign of immorality? Certainly not. Such perceptions are not commonly held in our society.

Paul concluded by saying that the churches of God had no such custom — that is, a woman who prayed or prophesied with her head uncovered. He thereby identified a woman who wore a veil when she prayed or prophesied as “custom,” just as those who did not wear a veil as “custom.” There are countries and people today, like Corinth in Paul’s day, who conclude that when a woman wears a veil, she shows respect and honor to the headship of man, and to fail to wear that covering in those nations is regarded as dishonoring her head. Therefore, when a woman is in such a country, she should respect that custom; she should wear a veil. But in countries which have no such perception of a woman without the veil, the woman is free either to wear a veil or go without one.

Paul also wrote that he became “as a Jew” to the Jews and “as without law” to those without the law, saying, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:20-22). He further instructed, “Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). We do well to honor his inspired teaching.