Head Coverings
By Elizabeth White
Head covering
When we hear the word “tradition” we usually think of it as the inventions of man, which are not found in Scripture. The traditions may be beneficial (or at least not harmful), but because GOD doesn’t command them, neither should we. When it comes to understanding head coverings we need to ask, is this a tradition or a command? Let’s look at our first verse:
1 Co 11:12 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.” (ESV)
1Co 11:2 But I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and you keep the doctrines as I delivered them to you. (MKJV)
1Co 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. (KJV)
Though the “traditions/ordinances/doctrines” are not explicitly defined, we can safely conclude that head covering was one of them. [The teaching on head covering, (1 Cor. 11:3-16) is sandwiched between two contrasting statements. In verse 2, Paul says “I praise you” followed by teaching on head covering. Then in verse 17 he says “l do not praise you,” followed by teaching on the Lord’s Supper and spiritual gifts (which they were misusing). The sentence structure of 1 Cor. 11 uses verses 2 and 17 as topic headings.
What immediately follows each of those verses is a teaching on the practices that fit the heading: the first to inform (praise) and the latter to correct (praise not). So it wasn’t that the Corinthians were not practicing head covering. We know they were because Paul said they “held firmly” to it. What they were lacking was “understanding,” meaning they needed more teaching on this topic.
Now before you dismiss head covering as an invention of man (because of the word tradition), let’s allow the Bible to give us our definition of tradition. The Greek word used is paradosis, which is used in the New Testament thirteen times.]
G3862. paradosis - transmission, that is (concretely) a precept;
-- ordinance, tradition. ...
Transmission is the act of transferring something from one spot to another.
And this is what we were commanded to do...
Mat 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
2Ti 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
What is a precept in the Bible? The definition of a precept is a guiding principle or rule that is used to control, influence or regulate conduct. An example of a precept is a commandment found in the Ten Commandments.
Let’s look at two other instances where paradosis is used:
2 Thes. 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions [paradosis] which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (KJV)
2 Thes. 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Yahshua Messiah, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition [paradosis] that you received from us. (ESV)
[When Paul uses paradosis to refer to apostolic teaching, he says it came “from us.” So how do we know if head covering is the tradition of men or of the apostles? Paul doesn’t leave us guessing. In 1 Cor. 11:2 he says, “I delivered [the traditions] to you.” This means that the practice of head covering is authoritative apostolic teaching.
Paul’s final word regarding head covering, provides one of the strongest arguments in favor of it: the uniform practice of all churches. Here is what he says:
“If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.” (1 Cor. 11:16” ESV)
While most people in the Corinthian church held to the practice of head covering, there were obviously a few who had problems with it. Paul tells these people that, if they are going to be contentious, they stand alone. All the apostles and every local church held to the practice of head covering.
No Such Practice?
You may wonder, why I say they held to the practice of head covering when what he actually says is they have “no such practice”? In order to solve this apparent discrepancy, we must define “practice” by looking to its closest antecedent. We understand that if I said, “He doesn’t want to go there,” you can only know who “he” is and where “there” is by looking to the previous sentence(s) to find the antecedents of those words. Likewise, we can only know what the “practice” is by looking to the previous verses. That is the key to rightly interpreting this passage. Let’s start at verse 13 so you can see this for yourself.
“Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.” (1 Cor. 11:13-16 ESV)
The start of this verse where he says “judge for yourselves” is the start of a new thought. He is giving a new argument from nature, and he does this by asking the rhetorical question, “Is it proper for a woman to pray uncovered?” This is the question under discussion. He then proceeds to make his argument by pointing to hair lengths before we arrive at the verse we’ve been talking about. So it should be noted that the closest antecedent for “practice” is not head covering, which hasn’t been mentioned since verse 10, but rather it is practice of women praying uncovered (1 Cor. 11:13). So Paul is saying that if someone is being contentious, the churches have “no such practice” as that which the contentious person is advocating for. Paul is not saying that there is not official position on head covering – he just finished giving that defense.
Beyond Corinth
Some argue that Paul commanded women to wear a head covering because of a local situation in Corinth. However, in this verse (1 Cor. 11:16) Paul shows that this goes beyond Corinth and is the practice of all churches everywhere.
... we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.”
What Style of Head Covering Should Be Worn?
A head covering in the context of 1 Cor. 11 is a Christian symbol to be worn by women. Paul says this coverage is a symbol of authority (1 Cor. 11:10) and it’s to be worn on her head (1 Cor. 11:5-6), but he does not specify what is to go on the head. It is the result he commands, of having a head covered, not that women need to have a specific type of covering for their heads. We know this is the case because Paul provides us only with a verb, not a noun. So he gives us the action to perform (cover your head), not a specific object to wear(like put on a scarf).
He commands women to take the action of covering their heads without specifying any particular garment that should be used. So where Scripture ends Christian liberty begins, that means the type of covering you use is your decision as an individual, family, or church.
Modesty and Discreetness
While there are no instructions regarding the type of covering one can use, there are a few principles we do need to take into consideration. Both the apostles Paul and Peter instructed women to dress modestly and discreetly, letting their internal adornment (not external) be what’s on display. Here’s what they said:
In the same way also, I desire that women adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and sensibleness, not adorned with braiding, or gold, or pearls, or costly clothing, but with good works, which becomes women professing godliness. (1 Tim2:9-10)
Of whom let not be the adorning of garments, or outward braiding of hair and wearing of gold, or of putting on clothing, but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, the meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price in the sight of God. (1 Pet. 3:3-4)
So how should women apply these principles to the coverings they choose to wear? They should cover their head with something that is not overtly ostentatious. Once again, head covering is supposed to veil human glory, not accentuate it. Modesty and discreetness does not mean frumpy or devoid of beauty, but it also does not call attention to itself. Although the application of these principles will look different in each believer’s life, the important thing is we actually take them seriously by asking ourselves if what we wear is in keeping with the spirit of these commands.
Must all hair be covered?
Another issue regards how much hair can by exposed outside the covering. Must all her hair be hidden, or can some still show? The most common type of head covering used in Corinth was where the woman would pull the mantle she wore around her body up over her head. Since it rest on the top of the head the front or sides may remain visible.
So in conclusion the choice of covering you use for your head is yours to make. It should be modest, and it should fulfill its purpose of actually covering your head. Whether it covers all your hair or some of it, the type doesn't matter, only that the head is covered.]
[]teaching is from “Head Coverings – a forgotten Christian practice for modern times” by Jeremy Gardiner.
When we hear the word “tradition” we usually think of it as the inventions of man, which are not found in Scripture. The traditions may be beneficial (or at least not harmful), but because GOD doesn’t command them, neither should we. When it comes to understanding head coverings we need to ask, is this a tradition or a command? Let’s look at our first verse:
1 Co 11:12 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.” (ESV)
1Co 11:2 But I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and you keep the doctrines as I delivered them to you. (MKJV)
1Co 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. (KJV)
Though the “traditions/ordinances/doctrines” are not explicitly defined, we can safely conclude that head covering was one of them. [The teaching on head covering, (1 Cor. 11:3-16) is sandwiched between two contrasting statements. In verse 2, Paul says “I praise you” followed by teaching on head covering. Then in verse 17 he says “l do not praise you,” followed by teaching on the Lord’s Supper and spiritual gifts (which they were misusing). The sentence structure of 1 Cor. 11 uses verses 2 and 17 as topic headings.
What immediately follows each of those verses is a teaching on the practices that fit the heading: the first to inform (praise) and the latter to correct (praise not). So it wasn’t that the Corinthians were not practicing head covering. We know they were because Paul said they “held firmly” to it. What they were lacking was “understanding,” meaning they needed more teaching on this topic.
Now before you dismiss head covering as an invention of man (because of the word tradition), let’s allow the Bible to give us our definition of tradition. The Greek word used is paradosis, which is used in the New Testament thirteen times.]
G3862. paradosis - transmission, that is (concretely) a precept;
-- ordinance, tradition. ...
Transmission is the act of transferring something from one spot to another.
And this is what we were commanded to do...
Mat 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
2Ti 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
What is a precept in the Bible? The definition of a precept is a guiding principle or rule that is used to control, influence or regulate conduct. An example of a precept is a commandment found in the Ten Commandments.
Let’s look at two other instances where paradosis is used:
2 Thes. 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions [paradosis] which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (KJV)
2 Thes. 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Yahshua Messiah, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition [paradosis] that you received from us. (ESV)
[When Paul uses paradosis to refer to apostolic teaching, he says it came “from us.” So how do we know if head covering is the tradition of men or of the apostles? Paul doesn’t leave us guessing. In 1 Cor. 11:2 he says, “I delivered [the traditions] to you.” This means that the practice of head covering is authoritative apostolic teaching.
Paul’s final word regarding head covering, provides one of the strongest arguments in favor of it: the uniform practice of all churches. Here is what he says:
“If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.” (1 Cor. 11:16” ESV)
While most people in the Corinthian church held to the practice of head covering, there were obviously a few who had problems with it. Paul tells these people that, if they are going to be contentious, they stand alone. All the apostles and every local church held to the practice of head covering.
No Such Practice?
You may wonder, why I say they held to the practice of head covering when what he actually says is they have “no such practice”? In order to solve this apparent discrepancy, we must define “practice” by looking to its closest antecedent. We understand that if I said, “He doesn’t want to go there,” you can only know who “he” is and where “there” is by looking to the previous sentence(s) to find the antecedents of those words. Likewise, we can only know what the “practice” is by looking to the previous verses. That is the key to rightly interpreting this passage. Let’s start at verse 13 so you can see this for yourself.
“Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.” (1 Cor. 11:13-16 ESV)
The start of this verse where he says “judge for yourselves” is the start of a new thought. He is giving a new argument from nature, and he does this by asking the rhetorical question, “Is it proper for a woman to pray uncovered?” This is the question under discussion. He then proceeds to make his argument by pointing to hair lengths before we arrive at the verse we’ve been talking about. So it should be noted that the closest antecedent for “practice” is not head covering, which hasn’t been mentioned since verse 10, but rather it is practice of women praying uncovered (1 Cor. 11:13). So Paul is saying that if someone is being contentious, the churches have “no such practice” as that which the contentious person is advocating for. Paul is not saying that there is not official position on head covering – he just finished giving that defense.
Beyond Corinth
Some argue that Paul commanded women to wear a head covering because of a local situation in Corinth. However, in this verse (1 Cor. 11:16) Paul shows that this goes beyond Corinth and is the practice of all churches everywhere.
... we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.”
What Style of Head Covering Should Be Worn?
A head covering in the context of 1 Cor. 11 is a Christian symbol to be worn by women. Paul says this coverage is a symbol of authority (1 Cor. 11:10) and it’s to be worn on her head (1 Cor. 11:5-6), but he does not specify what is to go on the head. It is the result he commands, of having a head covered, not that women need to have a specific type of covering for their heads. We know this is the case because Paul provides us only with a verb, not a noun. So he gives us the action to perform (cover your head), not a specific object to wear(like put on a scarf).
He commands women to take the action of covering their heads without specifying any particular garment that should be used. So where Scripture ends Christian liberty begins, that means the type of covering you use is your decision as an individual, family, or church.
Modesty and Discreetness
While there are no instructions regarding the type of covering one can use, there are a few principles we do need to take into consideration. Both the apostles Paul and Peter instructed women to dress modestly and discreetly, letting their internal adornment (not external) be what’s on display. Here’s what they said:
In the same way also, I desire that women adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and sensibleness, not adorned with braiding, or gold, or pearls, or costly clothing, but with good works, which becomes women professing godliness. (1 Tim2:9-10)
Of whom let not be the adorning of garments, or outward braiding of hair and wearing of gold, or of putting on clothing, but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, the meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price in the sight of God. (1 Pet. 3:3-4)
So how should women apply these principles to the coverings they choose to wear? They should cover their head with something that is not overtly ostentatious. Once again, head covering is supposed to veil human glory, not accentuate it. Modesty and discreetness does not mean frumpy or devoid of beauty, but it also does not call attention to itself. Although the application of these principles will look different in each believer’s life, the important thing is we actually take them seriously by asking ourselves if what we wear is in keeping with the spirit of these commands.
Must all hair be covered?
Another issue regards how much hair can by exposed outside the covering. Must all her hair be hidden, or can some still show? The most common type of head covering used in Corinth was where the woman would pull the mantle she wore around her body up over her head. Since it rest on the top of the head the front or sides may remain visible.
So in conclusion the choice of covering you use for your head is yours to make. It should be modest, and it should fulfill its purpose of actually covering your head. Whether it covers all your hair or some of it, the type doesn't matter, only that the head is covered.]
[]teaching is from “Head Coverings – a forgotten Christian practice for modern times” by Jeremy Gardiner.