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*Bold in the verses are my emphasis
1 Corinthians 11:3-7 "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. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head (Christ) covered, dishonoureth his head (Christ). But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head (man) uncovered dishonoureth her head (man): for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head (Christ), forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man."
While this text can be confusing at first, when looked at in context, it isn't. To define the head of the man and the head of the woman, look at verse 3. While there are comparisons to a woman with a shaved head, that appears to be a metaphor for something greater.
1 Corinthians 11:14-16 "Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."
Why would Paul say such things regarding the length of hair? Given the context of the chapter, it appears that something more important is being taught. Here man should have his head uncovered while praying/prophesying, and should not have long hair. A woman should have her head covered while praying/prophesying, and should have long hair. It appears that the length of hair is a representation of the the position of man/woman in relation to God.
1. God
2. Christ
3. Man
4. Woman
Interesting subject when looked at in-depth.
God Bless
1 Corinthians 11:3-7 "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. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head (Christ) covered, dishonoureth his head (Christ). But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head (man) uncovered dishonoureth her head (man): for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head (Christ), forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man."
While this text can be confusing at first, when looked at in context, it isn't. To define the head of the man and the head of the woman, look at verse 3. While there are comparisons to a woman with a shaved head, that appears to be a metaphor for something greater.
1 Corinthians 11:14-16 "Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."
Why would Paul say such things regarding the length of hair? Given the context of the chapter, it appears that something more important is being taught. Here man should have his head uncovered while praying/prophesying, and should not have long hair. A woman should have her head covered while praying/prophesying, and should have long hair. It appears that the length of hair is a representation of the the position of man/woman in relation to God.
1. God
2. Christ
3. Man
4. Woman
Interesting subject when looked at in-depth.
God Bless
Aha! This came like a light to me just now as I read through the verses.
If Christ is the head of man, then when a man prays or prophesies, Christ should be uncovered.
If a man is the head of a woman, then she should cover the man, and not "uncover" his shame as it would be her shame since he is her head, when she prays or prophesies.
She should not "expose", or dishonor, her husband and expect her prayer to be heard or to receive any prophecy.
If Christ is the head of man, then when a man prays or prophesies, Christ should be uncovered.
If a man is the head of a woman, then she should cover the man, and not "uncover" his shame as it would be her shame since he is her head, when she prays or prophesies.
She should not "expose", or dishonor, her husband and expect her prayer to be heard or to receive any prophecy.
We know that God does not look at what we do only, but what is our hearts that causes us to act. So God sees our actions only as they are connected to our hearts. We act in certain ways only to express what is in us, so there is a connection between our actions and our hearts.
Today, we have young people wearing pants way to large so they are hanging low on the hips. I wondered why they do this, and when I looked into it I found it was a statement of a feeling of rebellion shown by how the pants were worn.
When I studied the culture of the people the scripture was spoken to about the hair, I found that in that culture the hair was a statement of how their heart was. If a woman or man is making a statement about their position in regard to God, I think God sees that intent of their heart.
In my culture, long hair in a woman is an expression of pride in hair and in the older woman, lack of pride in grooming and making the most of what God gives her. I know of one Godly man, a popular singer, who wears long hair to say that he doesn't want to be judged by his hair but by his love of the Lord, and to all to please not judge only by hair length.
Today, we have young people wearing pants way to large so they are hanging low on the hips. I wondered why they do this, and when I looked into it I found it was a statement of a feeling of rebellion shown by how the pants were worn.
When I studied the culture of the people the scripture was spoken to about the hair, I found that in that culture the hair was a statement of how their heart was. If a woman or man is making a statement about their position in regard to God, I think God sees that intent of their heart.
In my culture, long hair in a woman is an expression of pride in hair and in the older woman, lack of pride in grooming and making the most of what God gives her. I know of one Godly man, a popular singer, who wears long hair to say that he doesn't want to be judged by his hair but by his love of the Lord, and to all to please not judge only by hair length.
I know, right? I'm not very good at this.
Corinthians 11:15 speaks of rules of worship and mentions long hair is given to a woman for a covering, and asks I think rhetorically isn't it her glory? If she exposes him, like a lot of women do by griping air out all his issues, then she might as well be shorn (looking ridiculous? or not have that covering?)
"but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering."
Christ is the head of man, He is your glory, so you should not "cover" Him. Rather, reveal all His perfection, in worship.
Man is the head of woman, and that is her shame (as much as that might hurt, but, he is no more perfect than she is), so she should cover him, in worship (of God! btw).
I don't know if that clarifies my thought, but it is my best attempt.
Corinthians 11:15 speaks of rules of worship and mentions long hair is given to a woman for a covering, and asks I think rhetorically isn't it her glory? If she exposes him, like a lot of women do by griping air out all his issues, then she might as well be shorn (looking ridiculous? or not have that covering?)
"but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering."
Christ is the head of man, He is your glory, so you should not "cover" Him. Rather, reveal all His perfection, in worship.
Man is the head of woman, and that is her shame (as much as that might hurt, but, he is no more perfect than she is), so she should cover him, in worship (of God! btw).
I don't know if that clarifies my thought, but it is my best attempt.
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T
I wrote two books on this subject, the first, "Sunset of the Western Church," had three editions and five printings, plus one in Spanish. The second book, "Demons in the Church, " was published by Fish House in 1993. It has now been out of print for several years so last year it was made available as a FREE download from www.ellisskolfield.com/pdf/DITC.pdf. It just might answer your questions.
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E
The book of 1 Corinthians was written for all Christians:
1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (emphasis mine)
This passage clearly shows that God intended the book for those outside the Corinthian church.
1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (emphasis mine)
This passage clearly shows that God intended the book for those outside the Corinthian church.
E
Suppose we change the passage to talk about hair instead of a covering:
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having hair on his head, dishonoreth his head. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth without hair on her head dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven [had no hair]. 6 For if the woman have not hair, let her hair be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her have hair. 7 For a man indeed ought not to have hair on his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
How ridiculous! How do you shear the hair off a woman who has none?
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having hair on his head, dishonoreth his head. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth without hair on her head dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven [had no hair]. 6 For if the woman have not hair, let her hair be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her have hair. 7 For a man indeed ought not to have hair on his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
How ridiculous! How do you shear the hair off a woman who has none?