What does "long hair is given to her as a covering" imply? The flow of Paul’s argument (1 Corinthians 11:2-16) - Verses 3-6: A woman is to have a head covering when praying or prophesying, reflecting the divine order of headship—God → Christ → man → woman. - Verses 7-10: A man’s uncovered head honors Christ; a woman’s covered head honors her husband and, ultimately, the Lord. - Verses 11-12: Mutual dependence of male and female is affirmed. - Verses 13-15: Paul appeals to “nature,” noting that “long hair is given to her as a covering.” Key phrase—“long hair is given to her as a covering” (v. 15) - “Long hair” (Gk. koma) refers to hair allowed to grow, not trimmed to a typically masculine length. - “Is given” points to God’s provision—He Himself endowed women with this natural veil. - “As a covering” ties back to the fabric covering in vv. 4-6, showing parallel symbolism: the cloth is a voluntary, situational sign; the hair is a permanent, natural sign. What the natural covering implies 1. God-designed distinction - Genesis 1:27: “male and female He created them.” - Deuteronomy 22:5 forbids cross-dressing, underscoring gender markers. - Long female hair reflects God’s intent that men and women look and function differently. 2. Female glory and honor - 1 Corinthians 11:15a: “If a woman has long hair, it is her glory.” - Glory here speaks of dignity—her God-given beauty, not vanity (cf. Psalm 45:11). 3. Symbol of submission in worship - Paul links head covering with authority (v. 10). - The hair, always present, reinforces the same principle even outside gathered worship. 4. Support, not replacement, for the cloth veil - v. 6 shows the external covering can be removed; hair cannot. - Paul’s logic: if a woman refuses the cloth, she might as well shear her hair—an obvious disgrace. - Therefore, the natural covering validates the practice of an additional covering, rather than abolishing it. How this speaks to today - Maintain clear gender distinction: men should avoid effeminate styles; women should avoid masculinizing theirs. - In corporate worship, Paul’s instruction on head coverings remains meaningful where the local body embraces apostolic practice. - A woman’s long hair continues to testify—weekdays as well as Sundays—to joyful acceptance of God’s created order. Heart posture behind the symbol - External signs are empty without inward humility (1 Peter 3:3-4). - True submission springs from honoring Christ, who “humbled Himself … to death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). - When the heart is right, the outward testimony—whether hair length or a worship veil—becomes a graceful act of worship rather than cold ritual. |
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