Scripture

But if anyone wants to argue about this, I simply say that we have no other custom than this and neither do God’s other churches.

Observation

The head of every man is Christ, and the head of every woman is man. A man dishonours God if he prays with his head covered, but a woman dishonours God if she prays or prophesies without her head being covered.

Among God’s people neither men nor women are independent of each other.

Paul concludes by saying that they have no other custom in any of the churches, that is that men worship without head coverings, but women must have their heads covered.

Application

Here we have an extended argument by Paul about men and women worshipping, and what they should or should not wear on their heads.

It is strange that, even though the arguments and the directions are clear, churches generally do not insist on women wearing hats or veils in worship, not even when they are praying and prophesying.

A few generations ago, this was not the case. Over that time hats have generally gone out of fashion, except for their sun protection function.

Equally, our understanding of scripture has also changed in that time. We now recognise that Paul was talking about culture and customs in this passage, rather than about abiding principles.

In Corinth, as in many parts of the ancient world, a woman’s hair carried culturally imposed sexual connotation. Prostitutes would often emphasise their long hair, while respectable women tended to cover their hair in public places.

Paul is saying that while women might be free to come to church with their heads uncovered, it is wise to encourage them to conform to cultural expectations.

The lesson for us is that while Christians are free to do anything we want to, sometimes wisdom comes in following the dress codes of the culture in which we live.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for the freedom you have given us. Please help me and your church to be wise in how now we use this freedom. Amen