Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 7/25/2007

Question
Hello,
  I am confused about something after visiting a synagogue.  There all men had to cover their heads to worship.
  I remember a time when at worship every woman was required to cover her head to get into church but men were not allowed to wear hats in church as it was disrespectful.  But many say the bible says that the covering for woman is their hair and that men should cover their heads to worship.
What do you think?

Answer
Hi Don,

Thanks for this great question.  There are many differing opinions and cultures regarding this issue.  I believe that the Bible is clear on this issue.  Head covering has to do with an outward sign that if a woman is praying or prophecying, that she is not trying to preach, that she is under male authority.  Men do not wear a covering because they are the authority and are not to be under that authority.  Before we look at the passage about coverings, note the very strong prohabition against women becoming teachers and leaders of men:

1 Timothy 2:11-15
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Now, as you read the following passage about head covering, notice that Paul is speaking of two kinds of head covering.  He speaks of the kind that you wear while praying in public (removable) and he is speaking of natures covering that women wear all the time (hair).  He says that if she prays without her head covered ( a removable covering) then she may as well have her head shaved removing her natural covering also.  Here is the passage, read it for yourself.

1 Corinthians 11:1-16


Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.  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. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 5 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. 6 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. 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.  11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. 13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.  16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this clarifies things for you.  I am sorry for my late response.

In Christ
Pastor Don