Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.
Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head,
but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as if her head were shaven.
For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head.
For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.
For man was not made from woman, but woman from man.
Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.
That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman;
for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.
Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?
Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him,
but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.
If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.
1 Cor
11:2-16 Symbols of Authority
Some of the
troubles in Corinth were worship related. Things happened in worship that had
implications in the life of the church. In this section the question is hair,
hats, and authority. I have heard various ways of trying to make sense this
whole passage, yet they all fall short in some way.
We could
spend time trying to decide what constitutes a head covering, or how long is
long hair? What do the Angels have to do with this question? But the real
question is not one of hats and hair it’s authority. Hats and hair are just
symbols of being under authority. Do we follow what God says even when it does
not make sense to us?
These
symbols were and are part of the middle east culture. They were part of Jewish
culture. They became part of Christian Culture as well. Should we practice them
today? The strict Biblical answer is yes. Though vs 16 is hard to understand.
Does vs 16
indicate that the church does not have a rule or practice about this? Or is vs
16 saying that disagreement on this issue is not allowed?
1. Authority
a. The man is under the authority to
God.
b. The woman is under authority to her
husband
c. We live in a world that rejects
authority
d. Men and women, even in the church
reject the authority of God
e. Men and women, even in the church
reject the authority of their spouse.
2. Are we subject to authority or are we
contentious?
a. Do we listen to those God has put in
service over us?
b. Will men fulfill God’s requirements
in the home and the church?
c. Will women fulfill God’s requirements
in the home and the church?
3. Giving up your right to self
determination
a. This is not forced subjection but the
giving up of power from strength
b. The following of Jesus is not as easy
as it seems
c. Luke 9:23 – 25 And he said to all, “If anyone
would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and
follow me. 24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for my sake will save it. 25For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and
loses or forfeits himself?
So, do not
worry about questions of hats and hair. Ask the more important question. “Do
you live your life under the authority of Jesus. Does God get the first and
last word in what you do. Do you show respect for those who are put in positions
of authority? If you say yes, then how is it shown? Can people see it? This is
not a question of hair and hats, it is a question of respect for God’s
authority in our lives.
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