Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:5

What does 1 Corinthians 11:5 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 11:5 means

Paul affirms that women do pray and prophesy in the assembly, but he insists they should do so with a head covering. To appear unveiled, in that culture, signaled disregard for her head—her husband or male head—and was akin to being shaven, a mark of disgrace. The point is not to silence women but to uphold God’s order while honoring their Spirit-given participation. The covering functioned as a public sign of modesty and respect for headship. Paul’s concern is that worship should display the gospel’s beauty, not feed confusion about roles. The community’s witness and the honor of one’s head are both at stake when visible symbols are disregarded.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But every woman who does so with her head unveiled, puts shame on her head: for it is the same as if her hair was cut off.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and every woman praying or prophesying with the head uncovered, doth dishonour her own head, for it is one and the same thing with her being shaven,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But every woman praying or prophesying with her head not covered disgraceth her head: for it is all one as if she were shaven.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered puts her own head to shame; for it is one and the same as a shaved [woman].

Context

After addressing men, Paul turns to women’s practice in the same context of prayer and prophecy. He frames the uncovered head as dishonor and shame by appealing to local social meaning. Verses 6–7 will reinforce this by showing the logic of consistency and the theological rationale grounded in “glory.” The passage continues to intertwine cultural sign and creation principle, all under the umbrella of honoring God’s ordered design in worship.

v.4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head.

v.5This passage

v.6For if a woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn: but if it is a shame to a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 2:36

    And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,

  • Acts 21:9

    Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:34

    let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law.

  • Acts 2:17

    And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams:

  • Deuteronomy 21:12

    then thou shalt bring her home to thy house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;

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