“For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, inasmuch as he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of the man,” 1 Corinthians 11:7-13, KJ21.
As Christian men and women, we are to have a high degree of respect for each other in God—in the way we engage each other, the way we respond, the way we communicate with each other, the way we respect, live, love, reason, and represent one another. The apostle Paul insisted that both man and woman consider there relationship with each other and with God. Everything that we do is for the glory of God. Man is to manifest this glory as the minister of the word and worship in the home as well as in public as the head. This is the fullness of God revealing the glory of God to the world. Our relationships to each other and God, include: man to Christ; woman to man; and Christ to God. The covering of the woman’s head was out of respect for her husband, and the man not covering his head was out of respect to Christ. Paul is making it plain to have respect for what you do for each other. This is what you must do at all times for each other in Christ. Be ‘one’ even though he says: “The man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man.” But we must at all times respect each other.
“Neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power [sign of submission] on her head, because of the angels. Like the angels did as they covered their faces as they stood before God,” 1 Corinthians 11:9-13. Paul also refers to Isaiah 6:2 with “…the angels covered their face.”
All must be submissive in our God-designed role like the angels. As the angels are God’s messengers, we are the messengers of God, man and woman.
As we live this life of respect, we must be worthy vessels for the glory of the Lord.
“Even nature itself teaches you that wearing long hair is shameful for a man. But long hair is a woman’s glory. Long hair is given to her as a covering,” 1 Corinthians 11:14-16.
Paul is saying that every believer should look and behave in ways that are honorable within their own culture. Be free in your own culture to be who you are. Long hair in many different cultures signifies marital status, age, wealth, salvation, and social class for both men and women across cultures. It’s the influence of ethnicity that says who we are as a people. No one culture is better than the other. We are all different, but we are one in the Lord. We have our own unique ways and styles that say this is who we are. But when it comes to Christ, we are one. To the church in Corinth, it was a sign of male prostitution in the pagan temple if he wore long hair. Women with short hair were labeled prostitutes. The apostle is saying that in the Corinthian culture, Christian women should keep their hair long because short hair would be difficult for a woman to be a believable witness for Jesus Christ. A man that wore his hair long would be looked at as one that is not a witness of Jesus Christ. This belief or religious practice is not for everyone. The ultimate goal is to be a witness for Jesus Christ.
“Some people may still want to argue about this, but I would add that neither we nor the churches of God have any other practices,” 1 Corinthians 11:16.
Always remember that culture details may vary, but the principle for Godly living and respect does not.
