HEAD COVERING1 CORINTHIANS 11:1-16

TYPES OF HEAD COVERING

• Hair as covering

• Veils or hats as covering

KEY WORDS

• Uncovered

• Covered

• Covering

MEANING

• The head covering is a symbol of submission to authority which is a spiritual reality

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUBMISSION (1 CORINTHIANS 11:3)

• The head of every man is Christ. (Genesis 2:7)

Symbol- The man not covering his head or have long hair.

• The head of every woman is the man. (Genesis 2:18-21)

Symbol- The woman covering her head and have long hair

• The head of Christ is God. (Matthew 26:39, John 5:19)

Symbol-Jesus humanity is submitting to his deity.

DETAILS ABOUT LONG HAIR

• The Greek word for long hair is “koma” .

• This word “koma” means to literally have long hair/uncut hair.

• It was used in verse fifteen and fourteen concerning both men and women.

• By any cutting of the hair breaks the symbol.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE VEIL

Two cultural backgrounds

• Jewish

• Greeks/Gentiles

JEWISH

• Jewish women always cover their heads in worship

• Covering their heads meant the respect for one’s spouse

• Reverence and appropriateness in worship and focusing all of life on God.

• It means you are a virgin in public. (Matthew 5:31-32)

GREEKS

• The head covering wasn’t significant in worship so it was optional.

THE CULTURE IN CORINTH ABOUT HEAD COVERING

• The culture in Corinth was a mixed culture.

• For ancient communities a woman that appeared in public with hair uncovered was against the national custom.

• If a woman was without veil in public, she was considered to be immodest.

• It was suggested that public prostitutes who appeared unveiled advertise their availability.

CONCLUSION (1 CORINTHIANS 11:15-16)

• The relationship between authority and submission is a spiritual reality and the symbol to support this spiritual reality is shown physically by head covering (hair covering).

• The veil was a cultural and custom practice and since the Jew’s culture was based on GOD’s command therefore it is the ideal appearance in worship.

• Paul was promoting unity in the church.

QUESTIONS