| Does the Bible Say that Women
Should Cover Their Heads?
YES! The Bible says in I Corinthians 11:1-9
that women should cover their heads to show submission to God's
creation order!
Although men and women are equal spiritually and in
value, God created men and women different, with different roles
and functions. This is what the Apostle Paul was talking about when
he said, "The head of the woman is the man" [I
Corinthians 11:3]. God has ordained that man's role be one of headship
and leadership over the woman. He created the woman to be man's
"helpmeet" [Genesis 2:18]; and to be in submission
unto man. To display this beautiful truth, God commands men to be
uncovered and women to wear a headcovering. By wearing a covering
on her head, a woman is displaying her submission to God, His creation
order of authority, and is preaching to everyone that she gladly
accepts her role the Creator has made her to assume. Therefore,
"let her be covered" [I Corinthians 11:6] for
His glory!
Yes! The Bible says in I Corinthians 11:10
that women should cover their heads as a testimony to the angels!
The Scripture says, "For this cause ought
the woman to have power on her head because of the angels."
[I Corinthians 11:10]. Women, by wearing a headcovering, demonstrate
their place of authority in submission to God and his order. The
spirit of submission and the symbol it represents is no doubt power
before God's throne and all the angels take note! What a rebuke
a faithful sister gives to all the fallen angels and Lucifer who
would not assume their created place but rebelled!
Yes! The Bible says in I Corinthians 11:13-15
that women should cover their heads because nature itself teaches
that it is proper!
Paul said, "...is it comely that a woman
pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you..."
[I Corinthians 11:13-14]. Paul appealed to nature as proof that
a woman should wear a headcovering on her head. Nature teaches that
it is a "shame" for men to have long hair, but
it is "a glory" to the woman. Paul is saying
that a woman's covering given her by nature [her long hair] is proof
that God has ordained a distinction between men and women in role
and function. Therefore, Paul argues, women should take their position
in submission to God by wearing a material covering on their heads.
This is the instruction nature has given us!
Yes! The Bible says in I Corinthians 11:16
that women should cover their heads because that was part of the
Apostles' teaching and what all the churches practiced!
According to the Apostle Paul, all the churches
of God practiced the headcovering, and it was not just a "local
Corinthians custom" as many would suppose. Paul said,
"they have no such custom" as women going uncovered.
[I Corinthians 11:13, 16]. Paul answers the question of verse thirteen
in verse sixteen. It was not the practice of the churches of God
for women to go uncovered! What would Paul think of most churches
today regarding his teaching? Beyond that...what does God think
of churches today that throw out this plain teaching? It is a dangerous
thing to put oneself in the place of God and assume that some parts
of the New Testament are for us and others not. Where would one
draw the line if that were the case? What Paul taught here he taught
"every where in every church" [I Corinthians
4:17]. History also clearly proves this fact. Let us entertain for
a moment just a few quotes from some famous church leaders in church
history.
Tertullian (160 - 215 A.D.) said,
"It behooves our virgins to be veiled from the time that
they have passed the turning point of their age."
Hippolytus (170 - 236 A.D.) said,
"And let all the women have their heads covered with an opaque
cloth."
Augustine (354 - 430 A.D.) said,
"It is not becoming, even in married women, to uncover their
hair, since the apostle commands women to keep their heads covered."
Martin Luther (1483 - 1546 A.D.) said,
"The headcovering is a protection from being out of relationship
with God. By fulfilling the commands, the women have a sense of
peace and love in their relationships with God."
John Wesley (1703 - 1791 A.D.) said,
"...if a woman is not covered -- if she will throw off the
badge of subjection, let her appear with her hair cut like a man's.
But if it be shameful for a woman to appear thus in public...let
her, for the same reason, keep on her veil."
Did all of the churches practice what Paul taught.
You'd better believe it...and many are still faithful to what the
Lord said here!
Yes! The Bible says in Isaiah 47:1-3
that women should cover their heads because of modesty!
To "uncover thy locks" is called
"nakedness" and a "shame"
before God. [Isaiah 47:2-3]. This may seem strange to the average
reader! However, right and wrong are not dictated by our culture,
but by the words of Almighty God. God says plainly here for women
to cover their heads for modesty's sake. Dear sister, your hair
is your glory [I Corinthians 11:15]. The glory of women is not for
every man's gaze!
Does the Bible say women should cover
their heads? Absolutely! Will you obey?
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