( 1 Corinthians 11:2-16)…..Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having hishead covered, dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. 6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man. 9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. 10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, neither isman independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. 12 For as woman camefrom man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God. 13 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.
Often what we find happening, especially in today’s society, is that the church is adopting many of the attitudes that are found in the world around us. Some would go as far as to not only adopting the worlds attitudes, but even altering them to the extent that they try to make biblical truth accommodate societies thinking, instead of the other way around. In doing so, some think that Paul, Peter, and all the rest of the apostles, and other New Testament writers to some extent added their own opinions to God’s revealed truth
But is God’s Word true? (2 Peter 1:20-21). Is God’s The roles of men/women has become a battleground in our society, and that has filtered into the church of Jesus Christ. Because Scripture is often looked at as man’s ideas, many modern day women feel that Paul the apostle was one of the greatest chauvinist that ever walked upon the face of God’s earth. But I want us to remember that this epistle is written in reply to another letter where the Corinthians asked several questions of the apostle Paul (7:1). Paul response seems to stem from a question concerning the submission of women to their husbands.
The word traditions is used negatively in the New Testament on occasions when speaking of man-made tradition or man-made practices (Colossians 2:8). But here the word for traditions (paradosis’) is used for divinely revealed teaching which God has put His divine seal of authority on – therefore this is not just man’s opinion it is God’s Word. Let me show you one other passage where it’s used (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Every stable society it’s built on two pillars “the pillar of authority” and the pillar of subjection to that authority. Submission is vital for anything to work in its proper way, churches, families, mmarriages – etc. Notice – (11:3) – the order of headship described by God’s Word.
Christ is head over every man (Ephesians 1:22-23) (Ephesians 4:14) (Colossians 1:18). The head of woman is man (11:8-9) (Ephesians 5:22-23) (1 Timothy 2:8-15) (1 Peter 3:1-6). The head of Christ is God. But Jesus Himself has never ceased from being God (John 1:1) (John 10:30) (John 17:20-24).
Head coverings played an important role in the Church of Corinth, of which Paul writes to correct their thinking in the matter. For the man to wear such a covering when he prays or prophecies would dishonor his head (Christ) – for man is the image and glory of God (11:7). His uncovered head was a symbol of his authority over women to cover his head would be likened to taking her role. But for woman to have her head uncovered when she prays or prophecies was a disgrace dishonor to her head (man – her husband). Her covered head was a symbol of submission (subordinate). If she was to rebel against such a covering, she might as well shave her head the same as a prostitute, who was in rebellion against God. Her symbol of authority was to be worn because of the angles, who watch the church (Ephesians 3:8-12)
It is true, God created both genders to be equal in value (Genesis 1:26-28). The woman is the glory of man created from him, created for him (11:8-9) (Genesis 2:18-23). Now, this passage is not seen as being negative toward woman, Paul immediately affirms her worth and mutual dependence with man (11:10-12). Notice, (11:11-12), In God’s kingdom neither man or woman is more important than the other (Galatians 3:28). We only differ in our roles that are designed to bring glory to Christ.