Should women wear head coverings in church?

The Primary Passage: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

The Apostle Paul's most direct teaching on head coverings is found in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. In this passage, Paul commends the Corinthians for remembering his teachings and then proceeds to discuss the roles of men and women in worship, specifically mentioning head coverings. He states, "Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven" (1 Corinthians 11:4-5). He explains that a man is the "image and glory of God," but "woman is the glory of man" (1 Corinthians 11:7). He also refers to the creation order, noting that "man was not made from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man" (1 Corinthians 11:8-9).

Paul seems to connect the head covering to a sign of authority, saying, "That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels" (1 Corinthians 11:10). He further appeals to nature, asking, "Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering" (1 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Interpretations of the Passage

There are several main interpretations of 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, leading to different practices among Christians:

1. Literal and Enduring Command: Some Christians understand Paul's instructions to be a direct and enduring command for women to wear physical head coverings during prayer and prophecy in corporate worship. They argue that the theological reasons Paul provides—such as creation order (1 Corinthians 11:8-9), the glory of man and woman (1 Corinthians 11:7), and the sign of authority (1 Corinthians 11:10)—are timeless principles, not bound by culture. Therefore, the practice of a physical head covering remains relevant today. Denominations and traditions holding this view often include some Anabaptist groups (e.g., Amish, Mennonites) and some conservative Reformed churches.

2. Culturally Specific Practice with Timeless Principles: Many evangelicals and mainline Protestants view the head covering as a cultural practice specific to the Corinthian context, while recognizing underlying timeless principles. In first-century Corinth, an uncovered head for a woman could have carried connotations of promiscuity or rebellion, dishonoring her husband and the church. The principle, in this view, is about demonstrating humility, recognizing God-given order in creation, and avoiding actions that would cause scandal or dishonor within a specific cultural setting. They might argue that long hair for a woman is considered her natural covering (1 Corinthians 11:15) and that the modern equivalent of a visible sign of respectful submission and order is no longer a physical head covering in most Western cultures. Instead, the focus shifts to attitudes of humility, mutual respect, and honoring God's design for men and women in various roles within the church and home.

3. Symbolic Interpretation: Another interpretation suggests that Paul's discussion of head coverings is primarily symbolic, emphasizing the spiritual authority and glory of Christ over both men and women. Some argue that "head" (kephalē in Greek) could refer to source or authority. In this view, the passage is less about a physical covering and more about spiritual submission and order within the church, with the covering being a cultural expression of that deeper reality. The "glory" references (1 Corinthians 11:7) might be seen as pointing to how men and women reflect God's glory in distinct yet complementary ways.

Discerning Application Today

When attempting to apply 1 Corinthians 11 today, believers must wrestle with several factors:

* Cultural Context: How much of Paul's instruction was a concession to, or direct engagement with, specific Corinthian cultural norms? The shame associated with an uncovered or shaven head (1 Corinthians 11:5-6) clearly had cultural roots.
* Theological Principles: What are the enduring theological truths embedded in this passage, regardless of cultural practices? Principles like honoring God, maintaining order in worship, and understanding complementary gender roles are often highlighted.
* Consistency: If the head covering is a literal command, should all the details, such as women prophesying in church (1 Corinthians 11:5), also be universally applied, which challenges some contemporary church practices?

Conclusion

The Bible does not provide explicit counsel on every specific practice for every culture across all time. In the case of head coverings, the church has historically held diverse views. While some Christian traditions continue the practice of women wearing head coverings in church as an act of obedience to what they understand as an enduring biblical command, many other traditions understand the passage to address cultural sensitivities of the time while conveying timeless principles about reverence, order, and the complementary design of men and women. Ultimately, believers are called to study Scripture diligently (2 Timothy 2:15), pray for discernment, and live in accordance with their convictions, always seeking to honor God and build up the Body of Christ in love (Ephesians 4:1-3). No matter the external practice, the heart's attitude of humility and reverence before God remains paramount.