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NASB | 1 Corinthians 11:5 But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 11:5 And every woman who prays or prophesies when she has her head uncovered disgraces her head; for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved [in disgrace]. |
Bible Question: Is the headcovering in 1 Corinthians 11 (1-about verse 16) literal? Should I be wearing a headcovering? What is it? |
Bible Answer: The headcovering is literal, and involves no more than wearing a hat or a scarf, but whether or not you should wear one is another matter. Until recently, it was common for women to wear hats when attending church, and thus the Christian custom was the opposite of the Jewish one in which it is the men whose heads must be covered during services. I haven't seen any women's hats lately; some Eastern Orthodox women still wear scarves to church. Some understand Paul's instructions to refer to a woman who is doing something in church which a man would normally do such as leading in public prayer or prophesying - which may refer to preaching and instructing the congregation. This subject really involves matters which have become controversial in the modern church - questions as to whether men and women perform different functions within the church and how much emphasis, if any, should be placed upon male headship. I think in your personal case you should consider the practices within your own fellowship. Paul concluded his remarks on this theme by saying: "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God." (1 Cor. 11:16) In others words, 'What I've told you is what the custom of the churches is.' But in our day, most churches no longer have this custom, and it is not within our ability to change the customs which are followed. So, you can't be expected to be the only woman to wear a head covering in your church. If you want to, that's fine. But I would say you, personally, are not required to do so because the church is not following the custom. |