Should women cover their heads during worship?

[Work in Progress]

History shows us that people have long understood this passage to mean that a man takes off his hat when he prays.

[peaches]

If i were to look at this chapter in a literal sense.....then i would tackle the question this way....

The question is what does it mean to have one's head covered? 

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well...to answer that lets look at what the scripture says.... 1 Corinthians 11:15.....For long hair is given to her as a covering. very clear!

And if i were to tackle the scripture as talking symbolically i would tackle the question this way....

I disagree with the person who said this does not mean hair as it clearly does.  The entire passage from verse 4 through 15 covers this subject. 

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um...why start from verse 4? why not read the whole chapter so as to not lose the context. i will gladly fill in the scripture u left out first there are greetings by paul and then he starts by saying 1Corinthians 11:3Now 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. also very clear!

looking also at 1Corinthians 11:10For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.

so those of u who think this is talking of an actual cloth, are u suggesting that the cloth is a sign of authority? wouldn't it be so to say that since this covering is the man/husband as scripture clearly says Ephesians 5:23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

i am totally in agreement with what the scripture says, as explained by this madamoiselle .....

The covering symbolizes the woman as being under the headship of her husband.  This means that we are held responsible to our husbands for taking care of house and home and children etc.  The vieling is an outward symbol and is worn over the hair which has been neatly gathered in a bun. 

There is nothing about being under complete dominion by our husbands because the husband comes under the headship of Christ.  That means our husband is held accountable to the care of the women and children in his home to Christ.  It is his role to protect and care for his wife and children and if he dosen't he will be judged by Christ for NOT doing his duty.

Christ is under the headship of God who is our loving Father in Heaven.  Christ paid for our sins when he died on the cross at calvery.  His act of contrition (to borrow a word from our catholic friends) was to die for sins in which we had committed in our lives.  Because of this wonderful gift those of us who are saved and call upon his name can stand sinless before the throne of judgement.

In our faith the mennonite faith (and there are others who wear a covering too) the women wear the covering all the time so we can be reminded of the Love that God has given us throught His Son Christ.  Sadly there are those in all faiths who do not "honor" the Father in this fashion.  In my case it also reminds me that we are here but a short time and we must do what we can through the grace of God to show nonbelievers Gods Love and Mercy.  After all we are not of this world just in it.

May the Peace and Blessings of Christ be with you all.  -  Papasangel

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question though, why because of the angels? 1Corinthians 11:10For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.

[Guest Zayit]

"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 G-d. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 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. 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. .... Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto G-d uncovered? 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 G-d- 1 Corinthians 11:3-6; 13-16

This verse seems so misunderstood by so many, so let's address various aspects of the passage which may be confusing.

We begin by noticing that the purpose of the headcovering is because of a woman's place in the natural order: G-d, man, woman:

"For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of G-d: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels." 1 Corinthians 11:7-10

We can also deduce from this 'headship' that it can only apply to married women, since single women are directly under G-d, without a husband between her and G-d (unless we assume every man is over every woman, and that is a Scripturally indefensible position). And both single and married women have hair.

There are several passages indicating headcovering was a common practice among married/betrothed women:

"And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a veil, and covered herself." Genesis 24:64,65

Another verse showing the practice of wifely headcovering was an established practice is in the case of a woman before the priest when her husband suspects infidelity:

And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse." Numbers 5:18

The point being, in order to uncover, she must have been previously covered. The passage makes the assumption that any wife brought before a priest *will* be covered. From Sha'ul's comment in 1 Corinthians 11:16 "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of G-d" it seems clear he is referring to the custom that wives *do* cover their heads.

Now, what kind of covering is deemed appropriate? Is a woman's hair sufficient? No. This is because Sha'ul used different Greek words for the natural hair covering and the headship covering. Let's look at the Greek words in the passage:

Sha'ul said that men should not cover/katakalupto (Strong's 2619) their heads. And in verse 11 Sha'ul contrasts that with: "Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered/akatakaluptos/?" (Strong's 177) Note that 'uncovered'/akatakaluptos is the opposite of 'to cover'/katakalupto. Katakaluptos basically means to UNcover or UNveil. So far, we have a 'men uncover, women cover' command. Now for where the confusion comes in: When Sha'ul refers to a woman's natural hair covering, he uses an altogether different word: "But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering/peribolaion." (Strong's 4018). Peribolaion means something thrown around (loose items like a veil, a mantle, a vesture). Hair is more like a glorious decoration given to woman. Now if Sha'ul had meant the naturally occuring hair covering and the headship-type covering to be one and the same, he would have used the same word for each. Instead, a woman's natural hair covering (peribolaion) is being contrasted to this other covering (katakalupto) that women wear. In fact, the katakalupto actually *covers* the peribolaion.

Sha'ul has begun this passage showing the contrasts between men and women in this passage: men are uncovered, women are covered. Then Sha'ul supports his case for headcovering by pointing out that even in nature a women is given a covering -- by her long hair. But Sha'ul never makes the leap that hair itself *is* a suitable headcover alone. If such a natural covering sufficed, then Sha'ul is wasting his time teaching this since the women already had a natural hair covering. Sha'ul deliberately used different words for the two coverings so we would understand they were complementary to each other but not identical. So there is *no* choice offered in this passage that one may choose to either shave one's head and cover it, or to leave one's hair long and remain uncovered. The natural order is to either wear a covering over the hair or to fully exploit the shame of being uncovered by also shaving off one's hair too. Better: if you resist submitting to the customary female headcovering, you may as well reject your natural hair as well.

Now among those who agree a married woman should wear some sort of covering, there is always the one who argues this headcovering is due to modesty. That somehow hair is too much of a sexual turn on to men and therefore must be covered to keep a man's libido under control. While long hair can be attractive, I'd argue the command has little to do with attractiveness, but instead only represents a husband's headship over his wife. Let me demonstrate why:

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Yochanan/John 12:3

If hair is so sexy that it must be kept covered, then the above verse reads tackily -- as if Mary was trying to arouse Yeshua. Clearly hair did not have any such deep sexual connotations attached to it. Furthermore (assuming hair's sexiness was the reason for the covering) the command to cover is given only to married women (again, notice single Mary wore no such covering). Yet wouldn't many single teenage girls be the ones more likely to entice with their appearance? In fact wouldn't they be the ones most needing this modest head covering? While certainly a woman's hair is attractive and a delight for her husband, I cannot agree that the command to cover a woman's head is strictly because of its attractiveness. The headcovering Sha'ul refers to is less about looks and modesty, and more about showing a woman's 1) marital status and 2) her submission to her husband's headship over her and finally, 3) as evidence for the angels to witness this submissive act (possibly also as a positive example for fallen angels to see -- those who had rejected G-d's headship and refused to submit to Him).

I'd like to address the issue of *when* to cover one's head. There are many who feel headcoverings only need to be worn during congregational services (i.e. 'praying and prophesying'). Sha'ul says we are to 'Pray without ceasing' (1 Thessalonians 5:17) -- so apparently, there is no time when a woman should not be praying, therefore, no time when a woman should be uncovered.

In conclusion, nothing in 1 Corinthians indicates hair (or lack of hair) replaces a proper headcovering on married women. It is my own personal opinion that most any headcovering will be adequate; from a wide headband, to a scarf, to a hat, to a full veil. The exception to *most any covering* would be a wig, since a wig defeats the whole purpose of the command by giving the illusion of being uncovered. Other than a wig, most any covering will adequately fulfill this command, since katakalupto simply means 'to cover' and doesn't specify a particular accessory. The purpose of the covering is show submission to G-d's natural order.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

So do I have a volunteer to make a covering for me............?????

HEHEHEHEHE

I can be dumb in sewing!

[ColleenLovesMischief]

Kidding kidding.

stupid flood guard!

[Guest Zayit]

Here is another article that may help those who are truely trying to understand this issue.

Some time ago, I had been prompted by the spirit of the Lord to ask why the relationship between men and women was such a mess, particularly within the church. The answer that became inescapably apparent is that men and women in the church have rebelled against the Lord by disobeying commands governing their gender roles. Myself included! One example of this rebellion concerns headcovering. You too may have been deceived regarding this practice by those you have trusted to teach and model proper God fearing behavior. May the Lord in His kindness, mercy and grace grant us eyes to see and the wisdom and courage to obey. Glory to God!

My first real indication that headcoverings was personally relevant came when I was praying in my office one day a few years ago. A relative had recently given me a beautiful tallit. She had purchased this traditional prayer shawl during a recent trip to Jerusalem and I was very pleased to receive it as a gift. Jewish men typically wear a tallit on their head while praying and you will find men in Messianic congregations wearing them as well.

While I was praying in my office that day I unwrapped the tallit and placed it over my head. What I had expected to find was a more intimate and powerful experience but what I found instead was that I was extremely uncomfortable praying with it on. While I didn't understand the reason why, I took it off immediately and never put it over my head again. Some time later, the Lord began to open my eyes as to why I had that experience. I had dismissed headcovering as not applicable and unimportant, but the Lord showed me that it really did matter to Him and that it affected our relationship.

Here is the focal passage about headcovering from the NASB.

Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.

3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

4 Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head.

5 But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.

6 For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head.

7 For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.

8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man;

9 for indeed man was not created for the woman

[Guest Zayit]

For those who don't sew here are some online sources

http://headcoverings-by-devorah.com/home.html

She maketh herself coverings

Modest world

Headcovers unlimited

Many wonderful styles here

[Atalyah]

For those who don't sew here are some online sources

http://headcoverings-by-devorah.com/home.html

She maketh herself coverings

Modest world

Headcovers unlimited

Many wonderful styles here

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Those sites are wonderful! Thanks Zayit!

I'm just wondering, I usually use scarves, but am EXTREMELY untalented in tying them so they don't fall off. Also, by baby is constantly tugging on them and creating headcovering-havoc for me. Do you have any suggestions that might simplify life on this point?

Also, those snoods look so simple to use! I've never seen them before, and am curious if anyone here has used them. Are they comfortable? Do they stay on well?

[Guest Zayit]

Snoods are about the easiest to use, especially for the busy woman. All you do is gather your hair up and pull in on, adjusting it around your head and allowing your hair to be gathered up in it. There are simple everyday ones and some that are very fancy for special occasions. they are comfortable to wear all day and you don't have to worry about loose ends to attrack babys eyes.

Another style too is one that resembles a turban, useing a long rectangle scarf or large square one, tie it around your head like you would a towel after shampooing, if you like you can even but an nice decorative pin on the tucked in flap to secure it and add a little something.

The tznius site does offer many ways to tie, you just have to look around at the different links. Under the link many wonderful styles here. Here's the direct link to the tying stlyes http://www.tznius.com/cgi-bin/tying.pl

[ColleenLovesMischief]

Thanks so much for the info............it is sure a lot to look at and to absorb!