1 Corinthians 11:10-16 (WEL) For this reason, the woman must have a symbol of authority on her head because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, neither is man without woman, nor woman without the man—in the Lord. 12 For as the woman was formed from the man, even so the man is also by the woman, but all things are from God. 13 Judge in yourselves, is it proper for a woman to pray to God unveiled? 14 Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a shame 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 is contentious, we have no other custom, nor the congregations of God.
V10 For this reason, the woman must have a symbol of authority on her head because of the angels.
In Paul’s day, this was the cloth cover over a woman’s head, her veiling. Angels recognize authority and order.
(Ryrie Study Bible Notes) “The covering is the sign of man’s authority over the woman, because of the angels. The insubordination of an uncovered woman (signifying her refusal to recognize the authority of her husband) would offend the angels who observe the conduct of believers in their church gatherings (Ephesians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:12).”
V11 Nevertheless, neither is man without woman, nor woman without the man—in the Lord.
Everything was good in original creation, except regarding Adam. It was not good for him to be alone. Adam needed Eve and her gifts to be successful in accomplishing what God wanted him to do, solve problems, and fellowship.
V12 For as the woman was formed from the man, even so the man is also by the woman, but all things are from God.
Eve came from Adam’s rib and all men since have come forth from women.
Preacher’s Homiletical: “God’s glory is His creature, man; man’s glory is his companion, woman; woman’s glory is her covering, her hair and its symbolized modesty of subordination.”
V13 Judge in yourselves, is it proper for a woman to pray to God unveiled?
(Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible) “It was the common usage of the churches, for women to appear in public assemblies, and join in public worship, veiled; and it was right that they should do so. The Christian religion sanctions national customs wherever these are not against the great principles of truth and holiness; affected singularities receive no countenance from anything in the Bible.”
V14 Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a shame to him?
The Bible teaches a distinction between the appearance of a man and a woman. It should be distinct enough that the average person can easily tell the biological gender at a distance of 50-100 feet/15.25 – 30.5 meters.
V15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering.
It is God’s plan. God created women to have long hair. But how long is long enough? It’s long enough to appear as a woman’s hair.
V16 But if anyone is contentious, we have no other custom, nor the congregations of God.
It was all the other congregations believed and followed. The Corinthians took their freedom beyond the Law of Christ. Paul is teaching about order, attitude, and witness to the world. He mentions that these instructions are not just for the Corinthians but for all the churches.
Let us remember: 1 Peter 3:3-4 (AFV) Whose adorning, let it not be the external adornment of braiding the hair, or wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in costly clothing; 4 But let your adornment be the inward person of the heart, manifested in the incorruptible jewel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is of great value in God’s sight.
Even though this is addressed to women; it is to be applied to men, too.
We learn:
• About standards.
• About God’s design for men and women’s appearance.
Questions:
• How is your appearance?
• Will you obey the Law of Christ?