Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:7

What does 1 Corinthians 11:7 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 11:7 means

Paul gives a theological reason: a man, as the image and glory of God, should not veil his head. The woman is the glory of the man. Paul is not denying that women bear God’s image (Scripture elsewhere affirms humanity male and female in God’s image), but he focuses here on representative glory in public worship. Man’s uncovered head honors God directly; woman’s covered head honors her relation to man within God’s order. “Glory” speaks of reflected honor. Worship should display God’s design, not mute it. Therefore, the different signs for men and women reflect complementary roles, ensuring that the assembly’s posture communicates God-centered glory rather than cultural confusion.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For a man indeed ought not to have his head veiled, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For a man indeed ought not to have his head veiled, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For it is not right for a man to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for a man, indeed, ought not to cover the head, being the image and glory of God, and a woman is the glory of a man,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The man indeed ought not to cover his head: because he is the image and glory of God. But the woman is the glory of the man.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For man indeed ought not to have his head covered, beingGod's image and glory; but woman is man's glory.

Context

Having argued from social shame and consistency, Paul now roots the practice in theological categories of image and glory. This step deepens the case beyond mere custom. The next two verses (8–9) anchor this further in creation order: woman’s origin from man and purpose as a helper. Together, these reasons support the head covering as a meaningful sign. Paul will then add an intriguing motive—“because of the angels” (verse 10)—before balancing the teaching with mutuality in verses 11–12.

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.

v.7This passage

v.8For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man:

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 5:1

    This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

  • James 3:9

    Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:

  • Genesis 3:16

    Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy pain and thy conception; in pain thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

  • Genesis 9:6

    Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

  • Psalms 8:6

    Thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet:

  • 1 Corinthians 11:3

    But 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.

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