Answering the Most Common Objection to Headcovering, Culture

 Objection of Culture:

Paulʼs teaching on headcovering is cultural, and was required of the Corinthians’ because it was part of their culture. In western society where headcovering is not part of our culture, 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 has no practical application.

Our response to this objection would be to simply ask: “Do the imperatives of Godʼs Word change from culture to culture?” Of course the answer to this is, “Certainly not.”

The Bible is a legal document which makes legal demands upon those who would adopt it as the rule of faith. These demands cross cultures, civilizations, and creeds. Its precepts are binding upon all who would accept the Christian faith, regardless of the norms of any culture. Christians are citizens of the New Jerusalem, and by virtue of that citizenship are obliged to live out their lives according to the rules and laws of their heavenly kingdom, no matter what earthly country or culture of man they may find themselves. We are citizens of the heavenly kingdom that has its own culture, which culture we must adapt with alacrity. Having said that, we would ask: “What part of Paulʼs injunction can be said to be culturally bound to the first century Greek speaking people of Corinth?”

Paul's injunction from 1 Corinthians 1:7-10,

 v7, For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

v8, For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.

v9, Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

v10, For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

The apostle gave four spiritual and scriptural arguments why Christian men “ought not to cover” their heads when praying or prophesying, and Christian women “ought to cover” their heads when doing the same.

• Argument one: Woman is the glory of the man (verse 7); “For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.”
• Argument two: Woman was created from the man; (verse 8);  “For man is not from woman, but woman from man.” 
• Argument three: Woman was created for the benefit of the man (verse 9); “Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.” 
• Argument four: Because of the angels (verse 10); “For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.”

For the cultural argument to be valid, all four of these spiritual and scriptural arguments must be shown to be culturally bound to the first century Greek speaking people at Corinth. If this cannot be done, it must be admitted and embraced by all, that the Apostleʼs apostolic command is binding on the Church of Jesus Christ in every age, in every culture, and in every geographical location. 

Let us look then, very briefly, at these four arguments; and ask the same question of each one. Namely, “Is this argument culturally bound to the first century Greek speaking people at Corinth?”

Spiritual and Scriptural Arguments
Argument one: Woman is the glory of the man (verse 7);
Is it true that only the Corinthian women were the glory of man? Or, is it true that all women, everywhere and in every age are the glory of man? Obviously, the latter is true. The argument that Paul uses which declares the woman to be the glory of the man is not culturally bound to any people or to any period of history; it is true always and everywhere.

Argument two: Woman was created from the man; (verse 8); We might ask, “Is it still true that woman was created out of the man?” If this is still true, I mean if it is still true that Eve was created from Adam (taken from his side and fashioned from his rib), if that point of history has remained unchanged or been unaltered, then how can this second argument of the Apostle not be applicable to women in all places, at all times?

Argument three: Woman was created for the benefit of the man (verse 9); Here we arrive at the third argument the Apostle gave for the woman to wear a headcovering in the assembly, when praying or prophesying. Again, the question is asked, “Is it still true that the woman was created to be a helpmate for man, and not vice versa?” Indeed, it remains the case in every age and in every place; the facts of history cannot be altered. The woman was created to be a helpmate for Adam. So, the third argument that the apostle employed for headcovering remains applicable to every age and in every place.

Argument four: Because of the angels (verse 10).   

This fourth and final argument, presented by the apostle Paul for the headcovering, is perhaps the strongest and most persuasive of the lot. I donʼt really think that anyone with any reasoning ability would argue that the relationship between the angels and humans has in some way been changed, or altered, since Paul wrote his instructions to the Corinthians. The weight of this argument bears down heavily upon the Christian Church of the twenty-first century. Since the angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister in behalf of those of us who are heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14), and since the angels are affected by what they behold in the worship of the saints (Hebrews 12:1, 20), and since the earthbound family of God has need of the aid and ministry of those angelic beings, more today than any other time of history, how much more should the decorum of our worship be such that would garner their favor and good will toward our needs?

We should not be insensitive to the feelings and emotions of the heavenly hosts. Remember that the sin which split heaven, and set brother against brother, was defection from position and place in the order of their estate. The high prince, Lucifer, became discontent within his sphere of authority, threw off his covering, and determined to exalt his throne into the heavenlies, and to be equal with God. One third of the angels confederated with him. The war that ensued brought sadness where only joy had been, darkness where light had ruled, sin where holiness had been unchallenged. Michael and His angels fought with Lucifer and his angels, until Michael and God’s hosts expelled the transgressors, casting them down to earth. 

Now, from among those who were created lower than the angels (human beings), God has chosen a bride for Himself. This body of earthlings has been redeemed from a fallen state; an act that puzzles, and at the same time amazes, the angels who are assigned to minister in the redeemed’s behalf. Scriptures instruct us that these ancient beings are present among the saints during corporate worship, in a manner that is unique to that event. (The writer of Hebrews informs us that angels are present in our worship in great numbers.)  It is during this time of corporate worship that Paul requires Christian women to wear headcovering to demonstrate their rank in the society of the righteous. One must not think that it is a matter of small consequence for these holy warriors of a forgotten past to behold Christian women, who represent the feminine Bride of Christ, demonstrating the self-same transgression (a defecting from their rank and position in society) that caused civil war in Heaven. It is not for a small matter that Paul writes: “Because of the Angels.”

On an entirely different level, but just as important, is the relationship between humans (human women in particular) and the angels who have fallen from the grace of a judicial God. Fallen angels are constantly looking for those in the family of God that can be misled, misdirected, and simply deceived. The inherent weakness within the female psyche to be deceived presents her as easy prey. This disposition lays her bare to the deceptive spirits that would convince her with lies, and ultimately lead her into false worship. Because of this, God has given her a covering, a protector—her male headship. 

The male headship of every woman is attested to by the headcovering she wears when praying or prophesying. When any person prays or prophesies they are transported into the spiritual dimension where angelic beings, both good and evil, have their natural habitat. Being keenly aware of this fact, Paul gave instructions to the Christian women that they should be covered when moving in that spiritual realm, to serve notice to the fallen angels that they are operating in a delegated role, and are, in fact, “covered” by their male headship. Any attack upon them, then, must first come through their covering. This serves as a deterrent to spiritual entities that would be looking for soft targets within the Church.  

Is this any less true today? Since the answer is no, then Paulʼs requirement of a headcovering for Christian women holds as much, if not more, weight in our present time than it did in the first century.

Having looked at the four spiritual and scriptural arguments presented by the Apostle for a woman to wear a headcovering, and for a man not to wear a headcovering when praying our prophesying, we have discovered that these arguments remain valid throughout history, in all cultures, in all races, and in all places.

Apostolically Speaking,

☩ Jerry L Hayes