Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:4

What does 1 Corinthians 11:4 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 11:4 means

Because a man’s head is Christ, Paul says a man should not cover his head when praying or prophesying. To do so would dishonor his head—ultimately, Christ—by confusing the sign of authority and glory. In Corinth’s setting, a covered male head in worship could blur the distinction God has set, implying a posture not fitting his role. Paul is careful to link outward practice with inward realities. Symbols are not empty; they teach. When men worship, they should do so in a way that visibly acknowledges Christ’s headship without importing cultural signals that contradict the order God has established.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Every man who takes part in prayer, or gives teaching as a prophet, with his head covered, puts shame on his head.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Every man praying or prophesying, having the head covered, doth dishonour his head,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered disgraceth his head.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Every man praying or prophesying, having [anything] on his head, puts his head to shame.

Context

The principle of headship in verse 3 now receives its first concrete application to men. Paul speaks specifically about conduct during prayer and prophecy, public acts in the assembly. The instruction for men is brief, setting up a longer discussion concerning women (verses 5–6). The flow keeps tying outward signs to theological meaning. Soon Paul will explain why these signs matter, rooting them in glory, creation, and the presence of angels (verses 7–10), before adding pastoral balance in verses 11–12.

v.3But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

v.4This passage

v.5But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoreth her head; for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Samuel 15:30

    And David went up by the ascent of themount ofOlives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot: and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

  • 2 Samuel 19:4

    And the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!

  • 1 Corinthians 12:10

    and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues:

  • 1 Corinthians 11:14

    Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a dishonor to him?

  • 1 Corinthians 12:28

    And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.

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