The Head Covering
Over the past several generations many churches have abandoned the teaching on the head covering. At Northwest we believe the teaching of the head covering as taught in 1st Corinthians 11 is relevant for believers today.
Some say that Paul’s teaching on the head covering was cultural, meaning that the teaching was directed specifically to the situation in the Corinthian church during the first century and does not necessarily apply to us today. We do not take that position because of what Paul wrote elsewhere. 1st Corinthians 1:2 tells us that what he wrote was for, “All who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ…” That includes all the churches. In chapter 14 verse 37 Paul says, “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.” The head covering instruction was not Paul’s opinion but the Lord’s command. If we begin to say some of Paul’s teaching does not apply to us today that opens the door to the setting aside of other passages of scripture in like manner.
Others say that long hair is the covering that Paul was referring to because of what verse 15 says, “If a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.” We believe long hair on a woman is indeed a covering but not the covering the previous verses in the passage refer to. The covering of the earlier verses is a veil that a woman places over her long hair. When we interpret Scripture or any writing we need to use the intended definition of words. We do not redefine the word “head” to exclude the hair on the head. Thus we interpret verse 5, “But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head (including the hair on her head) uncovered (no veil) dishonors her head (the man), for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.”
This passage has often been illustrated from the viewpoint of angels observing a church meeting. Verse 10 says, “The woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.” When angels look down and see a veiled woman (a woman with the symbol of authority on her head) her glory (that is her long hair) is covered so that only one glory is seen, the glory of God represented by the uncovered head of the man, verse 7.
In the local assembly men have the responsibility to publicly lead in prayer and the women should pray in silence with covered heads.