Women in Worship – 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Bruce W. Winter, in his amazing study, Roman Wives, Roman Widows: The Appearance of New Women and the Pauline Communities, writes of the veil that Roman wives were expected to wear: “it can be confidently concluded that the veiled head was the symbol of the modesty and chastity expected of a married woman” and that “As the veil symbolised the husband’s authority over his wife, the omission of the veil by a married woman was a sign of her ‘withdrawing’ herself from the marriage.”  He further notes:

It is clear that part of the punishment meant for adultery was cutting off the offender’s hair. In fact, 1 Corinthians 11:6 indicates that if a wife will not wear her marriage veil, then she should cut off or crop her hair. If it was a matter of shame to be shorn or shaven, then the only alternative for her was to wear the marriage veil as the text indicates.

The Corinthian women have been prophesying with their heads unveiled, most likely as a sign of their newfound sense of freedom from cultural expectations of modesty.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.  (1 Corinthians 11:1-16 ESV)

Verse one really goes with the end of chapter 10.  Paul urges the Corinthians to imitate his willingness to give up his rights in order to serve others and further the gospel.  But then he begins dealing with another issue they have written him about, conduct in the public worship.  The first matter is how women must conduct themselves.

Paul approves of women prophesying and praying in the meeting of the church, but reminds all that such conduct must demonstrate the authority of a wife’s husband over her at the same time.  Just as there is a line of authority in the Trinity, Jesus being subject to the Father, so in human relationships Jesus is head of the man and the man is the head of his wife.  Paul urges that the woman wear a veil on her head as a sign of her submission to her husband.

In our culture the veil does not signify such submission.  In fact, we have few symbols at all for such a relationship, other than perhaps a wedding ring.  But husband and wife should be in harmony about their public worship, the husband being accountable to lead his family in a godly manner.  In that way all may benefit and the creation order may be kept intact.

Notice that Paul does not restrict women from prophesying in the public service, something that seems contradictory to 1 Timothy 2:12.  Prophesying is the highest form of teaching.  So 1 Timothy 2:12 must not be properly understood in the traditional interpretation (see The Role of Women in Leadership).