notes

Disclaimer

This page was automatically converted from a module that was shared prior to the release of Published Pages. Additionally, the arc below was auto-converted from the arc created by the author (which used the old module), and so it is possible there are misplaced logical relationships.

notes 1452680588047 Disclaimer This page was automatically converted from a module that was shared prior to the release of Published Pages. Additionally, the arc below was auto-converted from the arc created by the author (which used the old module), and so it is possible there are misplaced logical relationships.

Notes

2011-03-25 18:02:25

2011-03-27 16:50:04

5 Reasons Why Women Should Wear A Head Covering This passage of Scripture (1 Cor. 11:2-16) has long baffled me. I have read it over and over trying to understand Paul's intended meaning, and always left scratching my head. This happened chiefly because of vs. 15 which says "her hair is given to her for a covering." This first 14 verses seem to be saying that she should wear a cloth covering over her head, but then vs. 15 says her hair is a covering. I finally received a flash of insight (at least I hope so!) that vs. 15 is not overturning everything Paul had already said in 11:2-14; but rather illustrating it! He is saying that nature itself teaches us that God has given a woman her long hair (in comparison to a man) as a kind of covering, to teach us in the natural realm that she should have a cloth covering to demonstrate her submission in the spiritual realm. In other words she naturally has been given a covering (her long hair) to illustrate the truth that she should have another covering which points to her submission to male headship. After I saw the relationship of 11:13-15 to 11:2-14, everything fell into place. This is what I see now in the passage: Introduction to chapters 11-14 (11:2) 1. The Woman Should Cover Her Head Because of the Divine Order: 11:3-6. Because God is the head of Christ, and Christ is the head of the man, and the man is the head of the woman, this has implications how we should adorn ourselves. Since Christ is the head of the man, he should not cover his head because that would confuse him with the woman who is under his headship. Since the man is the head of the woman, she should cover her head because if she didn't it would confuse her with the man who is her head. Further, if she will not cover her head, she ought to go ahead and shave her head, for in refusing to cover her head she is wanting to take the role of her man. But since it would be a disgrace for her to shave her head, she ought to be willing to cover her head. 2. The Woman Should Cover Her Head Because of Creation: 11:7-9. The Creation Account (Vs.8-9) tell us that man was created first, and the woman was then created for his sake. I believe this functions as a Bilateral supporting the proposition in vs. 7 that the man should not cover his head, and the proposition in vs. 10 that the woman ought to cover her head. Since God created man and gave him the role of head, he should not cover his head, and the woman should cover hers. 3. The Woman Should Cover Her Head Because of the Angels: 11:10. Unfortunately Paul does not explain this so we are left to some amount of conjecture. Since he mentions this directly after the Creation Account in vs.8-9, apparently the angels were present at Creation and saw God create the man first, and then the woman for the man. Then they saw the woman usurp her place by making the decision that her husband should have made (what they would eat). The angels are sensitive to insubordination, having seen Lucifer rebel against God, and the ensuing judgment and ultimate destruction of so many of their fellow angels. We also know that the angels are very inquisitive about the Church and the things of redemption (Eph.3:10; 1Pet.1:12). Apparently women should wear a covering on their heads because God wants the angels to see the woman acting in subjection to the man, and indicating this by the outward sign upon her head. 4. The Woman Should Cover Her Head Because of Nature: 11:13-15. Nature teaches us that a man will normally have shorter hair than a woman, and his hair will fall out or go bald sooner than a woman. Thus, it is a dishonor to the man to have long hair because he will look like a woman (this is similar to it being a disgrace to the woman to have her head shaved so that she looks like a man - vs.6). Further, Nature teaches us that if a woman has long hair it is a glory to her. Nature reveals that God has already given woman a covering - her long hair (in comparison to a man's shorter hair). Thus, because Nature has taught that a woman's hair has been given to her for a covering, this illustrates the truth that a woman should have a covering for her head. 5. The Woman Should Cover Her Head Because of the Universal Practice of all the Churches: 11:16. Evidently Paul anticipated that some of the Corinthian women either already had become contentious about the head covering and were not wearing it in the public assemblies, or would become contentious after this letter was read in their hearing. Thus, he simply says that if they become contentious about this they must realize that they are the ones that are bucking the system. All the other churches conform to this practice. Questions About Head Coverings In Our Day: 1. Is this passage still something that women should follow in our own day? Scholars are divided at this point. Some believe that in Paul's day everyone in that culture understood that for a woman to cover her head meant she had voluntarily placed herself in submission to her husband or father, whereas today that would not be understood by this symbol. It must be admitted, however, that all of the reasons Paul gives for the woman wearing the head covering are non-cultural (Divine Order - Creation - Angels - Nature - Universal Practice of the Churches). The only one of those 5 reasons which has changed in 2,000 years is the Universal Practice of the Churches. The other 4 reasons remain intact. Thus, it seems a little risky to ignore this practice based on culture alone. It seems to me that the reality behind the symbolism of the head covering would be easily understood in any culture (as it is with the Amish, Muslims, Old Brethren, etc.). 2. If women today should obey Paul's teaching on head coverings, when would it apply? Well, vs. 5 mentions it being a disgrace for her to pray or prophesy with her head uncovered. Thus, it seems Paul's concern is for the public assemblies where women might pray or prophesy as being chiefly in view. Chapters 11-14 all deal with what takes place in the public assemblies of the saints (Head Coverings - Lord's Supper - Spiritual Gifts). Since, this passage is stressing the importance of headship and submission in arenas where prayer or prophecy would be offered, the head covering would not need to be worn unless believers had come together for spiritual purposes. Things To Consider: 1. Paul is not as vehement about this issue as he is with others: Notice the difference between this issue and the Lord's Supper to follow. In his address on the Lord's Supper, Paul is vehement (vs.22), and gives imperatives that must be obeyed (vs.33). This shows that the head covering issue was not as important issue in Paul's mind as the issue of the right observance of the Lord's Supper. 2. This is the only place in Scripture which mentions women wearing head coverings: Thus, we must not be dogmatic on this subject. The conclusions we arrive at, we must hold graciously, allowing for difference of convictions on this point. If we had more than one section of Scripture to compare on this subject, we could be more certain of our final interpretations.

10000000072831 72831 Notes 2011-03-25 18:02:25 2011-03-27 16:50:04 5 Reasons Why Women Should Wear A Head Covering This passage of Scripture (1 Cor. 11:2-16) has long baffled me. I have read it over and over trying to understand Paul's intended meaning, and always left scratching my head. This happened chiefly because of vs. 15 which says "her hair is given to her for a covering." This first 14 verses seem to be saying that she should wear a cloth covering over her head, but then vs. 15 says her hair is a covering. I finally received a flash of insight (at least I hope so!) that vs. 15 is not overturning everything Paul had already said in 11:2-14; but rather illustrating it! He is saying that nature itself teaches us that God has given a woman her long hair (in comparison to a man) as a kind of covering, to teach us in the natural realm that she should have a cloth covering to demonstrate her submission in the spiritual realm. In other words she naturally has been given a covering (her long hair) to illustrate the truth that she should have another covering which points to her submission to male headship. After I saw the relationship of 11:13-15 to 11:2-14, everything fell into place. This is what I see now in the passage: Introduction to chapters 11-14 (11:2) 1. The Woman Should Cover Her Head Because of the Divine Order: 11:3-6. Because God is the head of Christ, and Christ is the head of the man, and the man is the head of the woman, this has implications how we should adorn ourselves. Since Christ is the head of the man, he should not cover his head because that would confuse him with the woman who is under his headship. Since the man is the head of the woman, she should cover her head because if she didn't it would confuse her with the man who is her head. Further, if she will not cover her head, she ought to go ahead and shave her head, for in refusing to cover her head she is wanting to take the role of her man. But since it would be a disgrace for her to shave her head, she ought to be willing to cover her head. 2. The Woman Should Cover Her Head Because of Creation: 11:7-9. The Creation Account (Vs.8-9) tell us that man was created first, and the woman was then created for his sake. I believe this functions as a Bilateral supporting the proposition in vs. 7 that the man should not cover his head, and the proposition in vs. 10 that the woman ought to cover her head. Since God created man and gave him the role of head, he should not cover his head, and the woman should cover hers. 3. The Woman Should Cover Her Head Because of the Angels: 11:10. Unfortunately Paul does not explain this so we are left to some amount of conjecture. Since he mentions this directly after the Creation Account in vs.8-9, apparently the angels were present at Creation and saw God create the man first, and then the woman for the man. Then they saw the woman usurp her place by making the decision that her husband should have made (what they would eat). The angels are sensitive to insubordination, having seen Lucifer rebel against God, and the ensuing judgment and ultimate destruction of so many of their fellow angels. We also know that the angels are very inquisitive about the Church and the things of redemption (Eph.3:10; 1Pet.1:12). Apparently women should wear a covering on their heads because God wants the angels to see the woman acting in subjection to the man, and indicating this by the outward sign upon her head. 4. The Woman Should Cover Her Head Because of Nature: 11:13-15. Nature teaches us that a man will normally have shorter hair than a woman, and his hair will fall out or go bald sooner than a woman. Thus, it is a dishonor to the man to have long hair because he will look like a woman (this is similar to it being a disgrace to the woman to have her head shaved so that she looks like a man - vs.6). Further, Nature teaches us that if a woman has long hair it is a glory to her. Nature reveals that God has already given woman a covering - her long hair (in comparison to a man's shorter hair). Thus, because Nature has taught that a woman's hair has been given to her for a covering, this illustrates the truth that a woman should have a covering for her head. 5. The Woman Should Cover Her Head Because of the Universal Practice of all the Churches: 11:16. Evidently Paul anticipated that some of the Corinthian women either already had become contentious about the head covering and were not wearing it in the public assemblies, or would become contentious after this letter was read in their hearing. Thus, he simply says that if they become contentious about this they must realize that they are the ones that are bucking the system. All the other churches conform to this practice. Questions About Head Coverings In Our Day: 1. Is this passage still something that women should follow in our own day? Scholars are divided at this point. Some believe that in Paul's day everyone in that culture understood that for a woman to cover her head meant she had voluntarily placed herself in submission to her husband or father, whereas today that would not be understood by this symbol. It must be admitted, however, that all of the reasons Paul gives for the woman wearing the head covering are non-cultural (Divine Order - Creation - Angels - Nature - Universal Practice of the Churches). The only one of those 5 reasons which has changed in 2,000 years is the Universal Practice of the Churches. The other 4 reasons remain intact. Thus, it seems a little risky to ignore this practice based on culture alone. It seems to me that the reality behind the symbolism of the head covering would be easily understood in any culture (as it is with the Amish, Muslims, Old Brethren, etc.). 2. If women today should obey Paul's teaching on head coverings, when would it apply? Well, vs. 5 mentions it being a disgrace for her to pray or prophesy with her head uncovered. Thus, it seems Paul's concern is for the public assemblies where women might pray or prophesy as being chiefly in view. Chapters 11-14 all deal with what takes place in the public assemblies of the saints (Head Coverings - Lord's Supper - Spiritual Gifts). Since, this passage is stressing the importance of headship and submission in arenas where prayer or prophecy would be offered, the head covering would not need to be worn unless believers had come together for spiritual purposes. Things To Consider: 1. Paul is not as vehement about this issue as he is with others: Notice the difference between this issue and the Lord's Supper to follow. In his address on the Lord's Supper, Paul is vehement (vs.22), and gives imperatives that must be obeyed (vs.33). This shows that the head covering issue was not as important issue in Paul's mind as the issue of the right observance of the Lord's Supper. 2. This is the only place in Scripture which mentions women wearing head coverings: Thus, we must not be dogmatic on this subject. The conclusions we arrive at, we must hold graciously, allowing for difference of convictions on this point. If we had more than one section of Scripture to compare on this subject, we could be more certain of our final interpretations. notes

Arc

2011-03-25 18:02:25

2011-03-27 16:50:04

editing

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

NT

nasb

Now I praise you

because you remember me in everything

and hold firmly to the traditions,

just as I delivered them to you.

comparison

alternative

ideaexplanation

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.

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

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.

ground

For if a woman does not cover her head,

[then] let her also have her hair cut off;

conditional

but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off

or her head shaved,

[then] let her cover her head.

actionresult

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.

For man does not originate from woman,

but woman [does originate] from man;

negativepositive

for indeed man was not created for the woman's sake,

but woman [was created] for the man's sake.

Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

inference

However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man,

nor is man independent of woman.

concessive

For as the woman originates from the man,

so also the man has his birth through the woman;

and all things originate from God.

series

Judge for yourselves:

is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?

Does not even nature itself teach you

that if a man has long hair,

it is a dishonor to him,

but if a woman has long hair,

it is a glory to her?

For her hair is given to her for a covering.

But if one is inclined to be contentious,

[then] we have no other practice,

nor have the churches of God.

questionanswer

bilateral

discourse

10000000072831 72831 Arc 2011-03-25 18:02:25 2011-03-27 16:50:04 editing 1 Corinthians 11 2 11 16 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 46 NT nasb i651480 i651481 i651439 Now I praise you i651482 i651440 because you remember me in everything i651483 i651441 and hold firmly to the traditions, i651442 just as I delivered them to you. comparison 1 alternative ideaexplanation 1 i651484 i651485 i651486 i651443 But I want you to understand i651487 i651444 that Christ is the head of every man, i651445 and the man is the head of a woman, i651446 and God is the head of Christ. ideaexplanation 1 i651488 i651489 i651490 i651447 Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. i651448 But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, alternative i651491 i651449 for she is one and the same i651450 as the woman whose head is shaved. comparison 1 ground 1 i651492 i651493 i651451 For if a woman does not cover her head, i651452 [then] let her also have her hair cut off; conditional 2 i651494 i651495 i651453 but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off i651454 or her head shaved, alternative i651455 [then] let her cover her head. conditional 2 alternative ideaexplanation 1 actionresult 2 i651496 i651497 i651498 i651499 i651456 For a man ought not to have his head covered, i651500 i651457 since he is the image and glory of God; i651458 but the woman is the glory of man. alternative ideaexplanation 1 i651501 i651502 i651459 For man does not originate from woman, i651460 but woman [does originate] from man; negativepositive 2 i651503 i651461 for indeed man was not created for the woman's sake, i651462 but woman [was created] for the man's sake. negativepositive 2 ground 1 i651463 Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. inference 2 i651504 i651505 i651464 However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, i651465 nor is man independent of woman. concessive 2 i651506 i651466 For as the woman originates from the man, i651507 i651467 so also the man has his birth through the woman; i651468 and all things originate from God. series comparison 1 ideaexplanation 1 ground 1 i651508 i651509 i651510 i651469 Judge for yourselves: i651470 is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? i651511 i651512 i651513 i651514 i651471 Does not even nature itself teach you i651472 that if a man has long hair, alternative i651473 it is a dishonor to him, conditional 2 i651515 i651474 but if a woman has long hair, i651475 it is a glory to her? conditional 2 alternative i651476 For her hair is given to her for a covering. ground 1 i651516 i651477 But if one is inclined to be contentious, i651517 i651478 [then] we have no other practice, i651479 nor have the churches of God. alternative conditional 2 questionanswer 2 bilateral 1 ground 1 1 1 1 1 nasb 25 a 50 discourse