I Corinthians 11:2-16 – Head coverings

First view – The covering is long hair and it does apply today.

• The passage starts by talking about God’s arrangement.
  • Notice that this goes all the way back to the beginning.
• What is the covering under discussion?
  • This seems to be referring to long hair – not some sort of clothing or artificial covering. I Corinthians 11:15 specifically says the woman’s long hair was given to her for a covering.
• Was Paul stating a universal truth or just referring to a Corinthian custom that doesn’t pertain to us today?
• When is this passage binding?
• What does nature mean in I Corinthians 11:14-15?
• What is meant in I Corinthians 11:16?
• How long should our hair be?

Alternate view – This covering is something placed on the head, and this passage applies today.

• I Corinthians 11:6 – This implies that two coverings exist – a symbolic covering and hair.
• This was not simply a Corinthian custom.
  • Universal truths are stated throughout the passage (I Corinthians 11:7-12).
  • I Corinthians 11:10 – Angels are not unique to Corinth.
  • I Corinthians 11:14 – “Nature” is not Corinthian custom, but human nature, which exists outside of Corinth.

Third alternative view – Whatever the covering was, Paul is talking about a Corinthian custom and this does not apply today.

• This is the only place in the whole Bible that talks about this, although the concept of woman’s subjection is found in numerous places.
• A man being covered or a woman being uncovered is a disgrace (I Corinthians 11:4-6). But why? Paul is not appealing to an established scriptural principle. Perhaps he is referring to it being a disgrace in their culture.
• “Nature” (I Corinthians 11:14-15) is not referring to a universally recognized principle (example: Samson).
• I Corinthians 11:16 – We have no such custom (of women being covered – this is what the context has been talking about).
• There is a difference between God’s law and a custom that is one way to fulfill that law.