Lexical Summary akatakaluptos: Uncovered, unveiled, bare Original Word: ἀκατακάλυπτος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance uncovered. From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of a compound of kata and kalupto; unveiled -- uncovered. see GREEK a see GREEK kata see GREEK kalupto NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and katakaluptó Definition uncovered NASB Translation uncovered (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 177: ἀκατακάλυπτοςἀκατακάλυπτος, (κατακαλύπτω), not covered, unveiled: 1 Corinthians 11:5, 13. (Polybius 15, 27, 2; (the Sept., Philo).) Topical Lexicon Definition within Scriptureἀκατακάλυπτος (akatakalyptos) appears twice, both in Paul’s pastoral instructions regarding public worship in Corinth (1 Corinthians 11:5, 13). In each verse the adjective describes a woman whose head is “uncovered,” a state Paul treats as incongruous with orderly, God-honoring assembly. Biblical Context 1 Corinthians 11:2–16 addresses decorum in prayer and prophecy. Paul anchors his counsel in: Within that framework ἀκατακάλυπτος marks a visible breach of propriety. “Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head” (1 Corinthians 11:5). The same term reappears in Paul’s rhetorical question: “Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?” (1 Corinthians 11:13). First-Century Cultural Background In Greco-Roman society, head coverings for women signified modesty, marital fidelity, and respectability. Literary and artistic evidence shows that married women normally veiled themselves in public venues, especially religious gatherings. Corinth, a cosmopolitan port city, combined Jewish synagogue expectations, Roman social customs, and Greek civic cults. Paul’s guidance therefore regulated Christian worship so that believers neither scandalized local conscience nor obscured gospel witness. Symbolism of Covering and Authority Paul treats the head covering as a sign (11:10) that: 1. Honors the God-ordained headship pattern (Christ → man → woman, 11:3). To appear ἀκατακάλυπτος is thus more than a fashion choice; it represents a symbolic negation of headship and a potential distraction within congregational prayer and prophecy. Relationship to Prayer and Prophecy The verses assume that women participate vocally in gathered worship (“prays or prophesies”), demonstrating the Spirit’s gifting irrespective of gender (cf. Acts 2:17–18). However, spiritual liberty operates inside creation’s structure. The covering guards against confusing egalitarian gifting with interchangeability of roles. Historical Interpretation • Early church fathers such as Tertullian and Chrysostom cited the passage as normative, urging veils for married and often unmarried women. Throughout these debates, ἀκατακάλυπτος remains the textual pivot around which interpretations turn. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Worship leaders should cultivate settings where outward appearance reinforces, rather than distracts from, reverence and biblical order. Key Passages for Further Study Genesis 24:65; Numbers 5:18; Isaiah 47:2 (Old Testament precedents) 1 Corinthians 11:2–16 (immediate context) 1 Timothy 2:9–10; 1 Peter 3:3–4 (parallel teachings on modesty) Summary Ἀκατακάλυπτος encapsulates the uncovered-head condition that Paul deems improper for women engaged in corporate prayer or prophecy. While the specific cultural expression of covering may vary, the underlying call to honor divine headship in visible, respectful ways persists, urging every generation to integrate doctrine, worship, and public testimony. Forms and Transliterations ακατακαλυπτον ακατακάλυπτον ἀκατακάλυπτον ακατακάλυπτος ακατακαλυπτω ακατακαλύπτω ἀκατακαλύπτῳ akatakalupto akatakaluptō akatakalupton akatakalypto akatakalyptō akatakalýptoi akatakalýptōi akatakalypton akatakályptonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 11:5 Adj-DFSGRK: ἢ προφητεύουσα ἀκατακαλύπτῳ τῇ κεφαλῇ NAS: who has her head uncovered while praying KJV: with [her] head uncovered dishonoureth INT: or prophesying revealed with the head 1 Corinthians 11:13 Adj-AFS Strong's Greek 177 |