Why does the bible say that a woman should wear a head covering?

[Marcelo]

This has nothing to do with the local church. Church keeps you in infancy. They should have taught you about the spiritual coverings. 1 Corinthians 11:10 10It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. It's for her protection.

Paul talks about this "spiritual covering" in Ephesians:

Ephesians 5:22-33 New International Version (NIV)
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washingwith water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wivesas their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.


In I Corinthians 11 he is talking about a piece of cloth.

 

[pjharrison]

Paul talks about this "spiritual covering" in Ephesians:

Ephesians 5:22-33 New International Version (NIV)
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washingwith water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wivesas their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.


In I Corinthians 11 he is talking about a piece of cloth.

No. He is speaking about the same thing. The same covering. The hair is an example of an earthly Glory of a woman.

 

[LPT]

What's your point LPT?

Maybe I don't have one, I'll just leave it at that...

 

[Adstar]

The length of the hair is not the issue or subject matter. Longer hair for a woman is normally or naturally accepted in most societies

Except in a temporal vow called Nazarene, one that Paul and possibly other disciples applied .It could apply even today.

If a woman a represented glory of man her head does not cover her head/ hair then she should shave it off to show shame. Man a representative glory of Christ not seen is not to cover his head hair it would dishonor Christ, not seen .

God did not leave woman without a representative glory as a sign to the angels .Both men and woman are both required to follow the new ordnance as one representative glory .

Shaving the head of the woman and trimming the nails of a woman who was converted and desired to be identified as a believer (new creature) was necessary when entering fellowship with other believers as an act of humility to God .

And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;
Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house, and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife. Deuteronomy 21:11-13

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head (of hair) uncovered dishonoureth her headhusband) 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 let her be covered.1 Corithians 11:5-6

And interesting parable is given in Revelation 9 using many different metaphors to describe the father of lies, Satan coming in full glory .

And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon Revelation 9:7-11

Today it would appear as a sign the end is near. The separation of men and woman has become un-popular, just as marriage between men and woman, no longer has any value in defining the word marriage .(no gender difference)

The counterfeiter (Satan) would have us to believe the kingdom of God does come by observation and we have already received our new incorruptible bodies, as the bride of Christ (neither male nor female Jew nor Gentile )

Do not add to scriptures or take away from scriptures.. The Book of Revelation gives clear warning about doing so..

""""But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head (of hair) uncovered dishonoureth her headhusband) 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 let her be covered.1 Corithians 11:5-6""""

 

[Adstar]

Didn't you get were it said," doth not even nature itself teach you" which means in the natural world. So that should tell you that it is talking about the spiritual world. A spiritual covering which comes from the husband. He is suppose to help her keep from being deceived, and making decision she will regret. If he is not a Godly man he will be in no condition to help anyone, because he will be deceived as well.

The question was should woman wear head coverings or not.. That is what my reply was responding to.. You seem to have gone off into another completely different issue.. I did not even make any comment on the issue which you bring up here..

 

[Adstar]

Did you even stop to think that if this was indeed true, then there would be ABSOLUTELY NO NEED for sixteen verses of Scripture to teach THE EXACT OPPOSITE?


What is this verse teaching?

That a woman's long hair are a NATURAL covering for natural women, THEREFORE a woman's head covering during worship (while hiding her natural glory before God) will be a SPIRITUAL covering for a spiritual woman, who is in submission to husband, God, and Christ.

It is truly amazing that even though the Holy Spirit informs Christians at the very start that this is all about headship and authority within God's order in the home and in the local church, Christians are prepared to ignore everything that God says through Paul in this passage, and concoct their own theories. The heart of this Bible doctrine about the woman's covered head during worship is found here (1 Cor 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.

By slightly rearranging these words, Christians can grasp what is being said:

1. the head of Christ is God

2. the head of every man is Christ

3. the head of the woman is the man

4. The woman's head covering is symbolic of these relationships.

Once again my reply was not dealing with this issue. I made no comment on the issue of woman being in submisson to her husband. It was dealing whih woman needing or not needing to have a physical cloth covering over her head when she prays.. That was my point.. A woman does not need to have a physical cloth covering over her head when she prays and a woman should have long hair

 

[Miri]

Just a couple of thoughts the Nazarites weren’t allowed to cut
their hair. See story of Samson.

Jewish men traditionally wear a little cap when at the synagogue.
If you read this it also explains that Jewish women traditionally wore
a scarf or head covering once married.

I think it’s one of those things (to wear or not to wear, cut or not cut hair), that
was a tradition and to make them stand out as being different at the time.
Same as circumcision, funny how we get a lot of threads about women’s hair
but not a lot suggesting the men all go and get themselves done. Lol

https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/what-is-the-significance-of-jewish-head-coverings

 

[trofimus]

Just a couple of thoughts the Nazarites weren’t allowed to cut
their hair. See story of Samson.

Jewish men traditionally wear a little cap when at the synagogue.
If you read this it also explains that Jewish women traditionally wore
a scarf or head covering once married.

I think it’s one of those things (to wear or not to wear, cut or not cut hair), that
was a tradition and to make them stand out as being different at the time.
Same as circumcision, funny how we get a lot of threads about women’s hair
but not a lot suggesting the men all go and get themselves done. Lol

https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/what-is-the-significance-of-jewish-head-coverings

Circumcision was not just a tradition, it was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham... So its in a different category.

Women not wearing scarfs in the church is in the same category as men having long hair like women have.

 

[Besor600]

The real issue here is the heart attitude of obedience to God's authority and submission to His established order “as to the LORD” (Ephesians 5:22). God is far more concerned with an attitude of submission than an outward display of submission via a head covering. First Timothy 2:9-10.
However, it is a personal choice and not something that should be used to judge spirituality.

 

[pjharrison]

The hair is an example of an earthly Glory of a woman. The husband is a womans covering.

 

[Dino246]

The hair is an example of an earthly Glory of a woman. The husband is a womans covering.

This interpretation overlooks unmarried, divorced, and widowed women. Therefore I submit that it is incorrect.

 

[pjharrison]

This interpretation overlooks unmarried, divorced, and widowed women. Therefore I submit that it is incorrect.

Unmarried.... A godly Father or Grown Godly son. Divorced... Godly father or Grown Godly son and so on. It can be any Godly male in the family. The men wear the covering. They can be deceived too, but the demons target the women, because they know that they are the weaker vessel.
Covering the woman is not trying to control her, it is just looking out for her best interest. Adam didn't cover Eve. If Adam would have insisted that they did not be disobedient, then we would be still living by the spirit and not the soul. The soul is enmity with god. God communicate with us spirit to spirit.

 

[Avalon1]

This interpretation overlooks unmarried, divorced, and widowed women. Therefore I submit that it is incorrect.

You got me there, but I still maintain that the scripture is the opinion of the author and head coverings for women were a custom at that time period. It's not a part of the Ten Commandments, and God and Jesus didn't say anything about it.

And they say that 2 verses is needed in order to establish a theology, one main verse then a supporting verse.

 

[selfdissolving]

The covering for the woman is to protect the woman from the angels(fallen angels). The Holy angels have no interest in the woman except for what God send them to do for the woman. The Holy angel are not a treat. Why would God want the woman to cover her head because the angels are Holy angels are watching.?

because God tells us to do this in Scripture. If the woman symbolizes the Church, and the man symbolizes Christ, then for a woman to pray or prophesy with her head covered symbolizes the Church submitting to the headship of Christ. Likewise, for a woman to pray or prophesy with her head uncovered symbolizes the Church rebelling.

A head covering is a symbol of submission and lack of one is a symbol of rebellion because God said for us to do these things in his word.

Likewise, the man does not wear a head covering during prayer or prophecy because he symbolizes Christ, who is the head of all things for the Church. For a man to pray or prophesy with a head covering on dishonors Christ who is above all.

As far as why do the angels care, let me ask you this: when you hear of another Christian who is walking in the Spirit and doing wonderful things in the Lord, does it energize your faith? What about if you hear of a Christian who has backslid or fallen away, do you grieve?

 

[garee]

1 Corinthians 11:3 3But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
Man is the covering of a woman. Paul actually said, "You should at least know that on earth long hair is for a woman's glory". Because what he was talking about is spiritual. The bible is a spiritual book. When you can only understand it as earthy, then you miss the mark.

Longer hair for a woman is natural in most societies, her hair is usually longer. The subject matter is really not the length of hair so much as it is hair given as a glory to a woman . Woman is given to man as his glory. and the man unconverted head represents the glory of Christ not seen . The new ceremonial law which included the breaking of the bread as one new ceremonial ordinance is all about representative glories used to represent the glory of God not seen.

In Revelation we can see the father of lies coming in full counterfeit glory, stealing the glory of God . The face of a man and the hair of a woman( a false glory)

Revelation 9:6-8 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

 

[Dino246]

Unmarried.... A godly Father or Grown Godly son. Divorced... Godly father or Grown Godly son and so on. It can be any Godly male in the family. The men wear the covering.

It's a nice thought, but one can still find plenty of women who remain "uncovered". What of the woman whose husband is an unbeliever? Or of one who is alone without family?

The reality is that any view that has loopholes cannot be the true interpretation. For the passage to be applicable to everyone, it must account for people in every situation.

 

[Dino246]

You got me there, but I still maintain that the scripture is the opinion of the author and head coverings for women were a custom at that time period. It's not a part of the Ten Commandments, and God and Jesus didn't say anything about it.

And they say that 2 verses is needed in order to establish a theology, one main verse then a supporting verse.

You might be interested in Michael Heiser's lecture on the subject (look it up on YouTube). It is quite a radical view, but because he is a deep-thinking scholar and I respect his view on other passages, I find his view on this worthy at least of a hearing. Even then he's not pushing it, but only submitting the possibility.

 

[tourist]

BTW:

In the 7th Chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul reveals his two styles of writing/teaching clearly.

He writes "Thus Sayeth the Lord" meaning that these are commandments from God and there is no room for argument or debate. It is thus sayeth the Lord........PERIOD.

He also writes "It would be better that/I would rather that" meaning he is giving HIS OPINION(s) on matters AND these opinions ARE NOT Commandments from God.

This too causes much confusion with some, and leads to disputations and false teachings in my opinion.

I absolutely agree with you in that there is a tremendous difference from a command from God or an opinion of Paul. I stated this same position many times and it was not well received. That's OK as I'm not trying to win a popularity contest. Paul's opinions were inspired by the Holy Spirit as is each and every word but it is still an opinion, something to consider but perhaps not necessarily strictly follow.

 

[tourist]

Unmarried.... A godly Father or Grown Godly son. Divorced... Godly father or Grown Godly son and so on. It can be any Godly male in the family. The men wear the covering. They can be deceived too, but the demons target the women, because they know that they are the weaker vessel.
Covering the woman is not trying to control her, it is just looking out for her best interest. Adam didn't cover Eve. If Adam would have insisted that they did not be disobedient, then we would be still living by the spirit and not the soul. The soul is enmity with god. God communicate with us spirit to spirit.

What if there is no Godly man at all in the woman's life? The bible does state however that the woman should ask her husband questions at home. It does not state what the woman should do if she has no husband. I believe that most women can look after their own best interests quite well without any help from a man.

 

[pjharrison]

because God tells us to do this in Scripture. If the woman symbolizes the Church, and the man symbolizes Christ, then for a woman to pray or prophesy with her head covered symbolizes the Church submitting to the headship of Christ. Likewise, for a woman to pray or prophesy with her head uncovered symbolizes the Church rebelling.

A head covering is a symbol of submission and lack of one is a symbol of rebellion because God said for us to do these things in his word.

Likewise, the man does not wear a head covering during prayer or prophecy because he symbolizes Christ, who is the head of all things for the Church. For a man to pray or prophesy with a head covering on dishonors Christ who is above all.

As far as why do the angels care, let me ask you this: when you hear of another Christian who is walking in the Spirit and doing wonderful things in the Lord, does it energize your faith? What about if you hear of a Christian who has backslid or fallen away, do you grieve?

No I won't grieve because if they are a true child of God, they have to deal with God. God won't tolerate that