Creation and Head Coverings

Introduction

A. Few texts offer quite as many challenges as 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. I was asked to address a particular verse in this text, but studying for that text led me to try to more completely understand context of the verse. What makes this text so difficult is the application of the text. Paul wrote it for a reason. Discovering that reason doesn’t necessarily translate into a specific application. We will come to a better understanding of the context of the passage and then make some application.

Historical Context

A. Paul wrote this first letter to the Corinthian church because of the number of problems which were occurring in this congregation. It was a place in which the primary problem was division and disharmony. But there were other problems which grew out of this main difficulty. One of the problems that Paul wants to attack in the latter part of this letter is the lack of recognizing order. That is what he does in our text. He addresses the issue of failing to recognize a creation order. Look at 11:3.

B. This is a truth. It is a principle which is true with each successive generation. It does not dissolve with time. What is the meaning of “head?” The first definition is literal—that part which sits atop every person’s shoulders. The second definition has to do with authority or the direction of God. It is used this way in Ephesians 1:22, 5:23, and in Colossians 1:18, 2:10, 2:19. If we look at this parallel references we have no problem understanding “head” to mean authority. In recent biblical studies there has been a third definition given in which “head” mean “source” such as used to describe the beginning of a river. This third definition has become popular on two fronts.

1. First, how does one explain from verse 3 that God has authority over Christ. If we are to believe John 1:1, there is equality between God and Christ and 1 Corinthians 11:3 sounds as if this is not the case.

2. Second, this definition of head as source has become prominent because of the advances made by the women’s movement in our culture. As biblical scholars have had to deal with texts which seem to say that women have less of a significant role in the church than these scholars think ought to be true, then this new definition has taken on greater significance.

C. One of the principles of sound Bible study is to allow the Bible to define itself. The word “head” used as authority is found in a number of other passages. But one is hard pressed to find any other passage which uses head to mean source. In fact, in the two Greek dictionaries I consulted the definition of “source” is not found at all. It seems that translators may have a point to make.

D. What then is Paul trying to say in 11:3. This principle is not to be glossed over because this serves as the basis for the elaboration he will give. Christ has authority over every man. This is literal man. It means the male gender. Man has authority over woman. God has authority over Christ. What is Paul saying. As we read down through the text we come to a better understanding. What Paul is trying to do is say that there is an order which has been true since creation. Verse 8. Woman came from man. This is reference to Genesis 2. The woman came from man. There is a creation order which God set into motion from the beginning. But this does not mean that the woman is property or less important for in verses 11-12, Paul wants to pride in this creative order. He wants no chest thumping from the men. Instead we must recognize that man comes from woman as well. This is a reference to birth. We are interdependent not independent of one another.

E. How then do we explain the God/Christ relationship. God and Christ are equal as the Bible says, but does not Jesus himself claim in John 8:27-29 that he is sent from God and that whatever he does he wants to please the Father? The wording demonstrates that Jesus recognized the authority of the Father over his life. So what is Paul trying to say? He is getting ready to correct an improper practice in the Corinthian church and before he begins he wants it understood that God has put an order into place and when the Corinthians ignore that order then problems arise. Is Paul saying that men can tell women what to do? No. Is he saying that men get to run everything? No. Is he saying that women are just subservient creatures with no thoughts or opinions? No.

F. During Paul’s day, worship conducted in pagan temples was done in ways which are unfamiliar to us. Archaeological evidence from Corinth as well as written documents have helped us understand what is taking place in Corinth. Women during this time typically wore veils or headdresses. These are not what we see in the Arab world today. These veils did not cover the face instead they covered the head and draped down the back. When a woman entered a pagan temple she did not remove the veil. She kept it on. However, there might be a time when a woman did remove the veil.

1. Men wore togas. There were differences between Greek and Roman togas. Corinth was a Roman city; thus, the men would have worn Roman togas. Roman togas had a lot more material than Greek togas. When a man entered a pagan temple to worship he would take the upper part of the toga and place it over his head. In fact, in a pagan temple one could not tell the difference between men and women from the back.

2. But women unveiled themselves for one reason. To offer her body to the pagan god. She would do this by selling herself and the money would then be given to the pagan god. When a woman unveiled herself she was intent on honoring her god. In the pagan temples the unveiling process would have signaled immorality. Verse 6, short hair on a woman signaled prostitution. Thus, the reason for the veil as well.

3. Paul is attacking this practice. He is wanting these Corinthian Christians to have a different practice from their pagan counterparts.

Application

A. The Christians would enter their worship. The men would veil themselves as had been their custom. The women would unveil themselves. The men looked like women. The women did that which signaled immorality. While no one may have even thought this, Paul did not want them to forget the eternal truth. Women need to have a sign of authority (v.10) over them. There must be a clear distinction between men and women. Paul wants this creative order to be obvious. The men unveil (v. 7) because he is from God. Women veil (v. 7) because she is from man.

B. Thus, Paul is wanting this creation order to remain intact and he is trying to make sure there are clear distinctions between men and women. So what application can we make?

1. When I was growing up this text was used to keep us teenage boys from having long hair (v. 14) and all women to keep their hair long (v.15). A generation preceding mine it was used to convince women that they should wear hats or some type of head covering. I think such applications miss the point.

C. The real point comes in verse 3. This creation order is not to be ignored. As the women’s movement in our culture has made some well deserved and needed strides in our culture it has made some negative inroads. Human beings whether male or female should be paid equally for the same work. They should be treated with respect no matter the gender. Men are not superior to women nor women to men. The pendulum is swinging back. We are now recognizing that men and women are different. For about 20 years the claim was that men and women are not different. Thankfully, our culture is beginning to recognize that fallacy of that belief.

1. The biblical view is still true. God created men first. From the beginning, God intended for men to be leaders. When we violate that principle then we only hurt ourselves. But men do not lead by their own volition. They recognize that they are under Christ’s authority. We men carry out our role as leader under the authority of Christ. As he leads us we lead our family.

2. But Paul in verses 11-12 recognizes that this creation order does not void the interdependence that men and women have with one another. To violate this principle is to violate the will of God.

D. But there is a second application here and Paul doesn’t spend much time on it so neither will we. It is in verse 10. This creation order is to be honored because of the angels. What does he mean? This is a worship text, i.e., Paul’s words are to be understood in light of a worship setting. Because of this creation order, women are to remain veiled. And because of the angels? A woman should have a sign of authority, the veil, because of the angels. What do angels have to do with this matter.

E. Notice first that Paul offers no explanation. This means that the Corinthians understood what he was saying. We just have to figure it out. Obviously Paul had taught this congregation something about angels that he didn’t feel compelled to repeat. Whatever we come to understand about this phrase it must agree with the need for women to have the sign of authority on her head. The explanation also must coincide with the idea of a creation order.

1. The explanation is not that difficult. The angels are present in the worship assembly. They see the events which are taking place. The created order has been violated. Thus, since angels are watching we need to make sure that we do nothing to violate the creation order.

2. This may leave us wanting to know about other things concerning angels Paul doesn’t indulge us. That isn’t his purpose and we must go no further than what he says here.

F. There is a third application which is not readily seen here but I think it fits. Why were these men and women continuing with pagan practices after becoming Christians? Leaving behind ungodly practices can be difficult, but they are to be left behind. Our focus in life is to be on God. Everything about us is to honor God. While the specifics of this passage do not apply well to our culture, the principle of honoring God is timeless. Whatever our point in life, whether we are new Christians or Christians with a few years of walking with God under our belts, our life is to focus on God. Sin will sidetrack us. Emotions cannot be trusted. We turn our eyes to Jesus and remain fixed on him. I am convinced that the men and women in this passage were not trying to dishonor God. They were trying to experience their freedom in Christ. But such abuse of their freedom resulted in losing their focus.

1. We may have freedom, but if what we wear dishonors God then it isn’t appropriate. We may have freedom, but if what we do makes people question our God, then we haven’t honored God. We may have freedom, but if what we say causes harm to come to Christ, then we have violated the principle of authority.

2. Our focus is to be on God. Not on self. This text demonstrates what happens when we focus more on our freedom than on honoring God. Beginning in chapter 8, the Corinthians wanted to eat meat offered to pagans. Paul reminds them that while they have the freedom to do that they mustn’t cause others to stumble; therefore, don’t do it. Then because of their freedom they wanted to eat at the pagan temples. Paul says such abuse of freedom is to participate with the demons at table. In chapters 12-14 the Corinthians will abuse freedom in the use of their gifts. Chapter 11 stands in the midst of this discussion about freedom and so I think this point fits.

3. Maintain our focus on God. Do not abuse our freedom to do what we want to do. Instead honor God with your life just as Jesus did. Invitation.

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