Expert: Paul Walker - 7/2/2007

Question
Does the scripture address the requirement for women's head coverings in church, and if so, does it apply today?

Answer
Dear Cleatus,

Most of the questions concerning the head coverings come form the following.

1 Corinthians 11:13-15  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.

As you can see it concerns the length of the hair. Men ought not to have long hair and women ought to have long hair, it is her covering.

I have heard questions concerning veils and the like. I believe if we follow the admonition to be modest we would have no problem. We ought to be modest, covered in a modest fashion, not showing our stuff. However, since hair is given a women for a covering there seems little need to cover the covering.

1 Timothy 2:9-10  In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in MODEST APPAREL, WITH SHAMEFACEDNESS AND SOBRIETY; NOT WITH BROIDED HAIR, OR GOLD, OR PEARLS, OR COSTLY ARRAY;  10But (WHICH BECOMETH WOMEN PROFESSING GODLINESS) with good works.

Hope this helps.

Paul Walker
www.aficj.org