The Beauty Of Head Covering

Table of Contents

Introduction - Page 1

Individual Aspects - Page 2

1 Corinthians 11 - Page 3

1 Corinthians 11 Cont. - Page 4

Conclusion - Page 5

Introduction

1 Corinthians 11

One of the most beautiful displays of obedience, submission, and honor to the Lord and yet most ignored by Christians is the act of head covering by dear sisters. Many assume that head covering was simply a custom for the saints at that time. Others do not understand the significance of head covering and, therefore, do not promote it.

Like any other truth, Christians should turn to the Scriptures to examine this wonderful act of head covering with confidence that the Word of God will shed light into our souls (Ps. 119:105). We are also reminded in Acts 17:11 that the "Bereans searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

The truth of head covering is not about husband and wife (although that is included in the subject) but man and woman. It is a truth that covers new creation and old creation.

This booklet begins with a brief review of some individual aspects of head covering and then brings them together in a discussion of the verses in 1 Corinthians 11 regarding head covering. Then we can proclaim with the apostle Paul:
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God" (Rom. 11:33).

One would trust and pray that this little booklet will result in deep exercise before the Lord for each reader, especially dear sisters, that we would recognize the joy and the beauty of head covering.

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We begin by considering the following individual aspects of head covering:

  • Imitators of Christ

  • Delivered to us

  • Truth and culture

  • Headship

  • Truth of covering

  • The angels

  • Glory

There are other truths that will come forth when we take up all these collectively as to head covering.

Followers or Imitators

This word is mentioned seven times in the New Testament and is derived from another Greek word which means "to mimic." It is recorded to remind us that the only standard of Christianity is to imitate Christ Jesus and to imitate the Blessed God (Eph. 5:1). Certainly, we can say that Abraham in Genesis 22 was an imitator of God.

The question is always asked, "How can I be like Christ?" The indwelling of the Spirit of God in us is what forms the life of the Lord Jesus in us (Gal. 4:19) and gives us the power to live a life like His.

The Lord said, "Learn of me" (Mt. 11:29), and one of the many ways we can emulate Him is to follow His path of obedience to God and subjection to the Word of God (Phil. 2:8; Heb. 5:8; John 19:28). When we examine His path, we can unquestionably claim that Christ obeyed regardless of the consequences; therefore, we should do the same as His followers.

Delivered to Us

The word "deliver" has in mind the thought of surrender or yielding up. This would indicate that we should not question what has been said in the Word of God but rather surrender ourselves and obey. It is used regarding the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:23) and also concerning the gospel (1 Cor. 15:3).

The problem with us is that we are willing to submit to certain truths, such as the glad tidings concerning the Son of God, and refute other truths that do not go along with our way of thinking.

The Word of God provides us with the mind of God and what He thinks of how we ought to live and practice, rather than what we think.

Truth and Culture

It is evident from Scripture that the truth of God has nothing to do with the unique culture of every assembly that the apostles wrote to or visited. I trust that every Christian understands that truth is personified in Christ: He revealed in John 14:6 that He is the truth. We also know that the Spirit of God is called the Spirit of truth (John 14:17) and that the Word of God is truth (John 17:17).

It is helpful to recognize that when the apostle Paul addresses, for example, the assembly at Corinth, he indicates that such truths or orders are the same for all churches (1 Cor. 1:2; 14:33–34; 16:1).

Some might say, there are stories and parables that indicate traditions of men. I trust we can discern what the Spirit is teaching us through these. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning” (see also 1 Cor. 10:11).

We should conclude that, in every dispensation, truths, prophecies, and parables are all about Christ, for He is the center of God’s counsels. “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev. 19:10).

Headship

Headship is a profound truth, especially when it relates to the Lord Jesus. Suffice it to say, “He is the head over all things” (Eph. 1:22).

Although His headship of certain things is seen in the Old Testament, His headship over His body (the assembly) is only introduced for us since the birth of the assembly. It was unknown to all the dear saints of the Old Testament, but it is so precious to saints in this present dispensation.

From a spiritual and natural (1 Cor. 11:14) perspective, we learn that Headship is about direction, nourishment (Col. 2:19), support, and influence of the body.

Covering

The principle of covering is seen throughout Scripture. The following are some examples:

  • When man failed, immediately they recognized the need to cover themselves before a holy God, as they were naked (Gen. 3:8). The covering provided by Adam did not hide his nakedness before God; only the sacrifice of the animals to provide skins could satisfy God (Gen. 3:21), and thus we learn that God covers what is offensive to Him (cf. Gen. 9:23).

Angels

Angels are created beings with different ranks, witnesses of God’s creation (Job 38:4–7). They are messengers of God and ministering spirits who do God’s bidding and minister to them who shall be “heirs of salvation” (Heb. 1:14).

There are many other things about angels and their ranks, names, and their cries before the throne of God, but I desire to focus on how they learn of God’s wisdom as they watch us.

Glory

With our limited minds, it is difficult to define the whole scope of what glory is. Many faithful saints have described glory as the display of the excellency of God. Everything that God displays of Himself is glorious. Glory is the moral character of God.

Divine persons are known as:

  • Father of Glory (Eph. 1:17)

  • Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8)

  • King of Glory (Ps. 24:7)

  • Spirit of Glory (1 Pet. 4:14)

Having said this, we all know that no one ever glorified the Blessed God like the Lord Jesus in His life here on earth and His work on the cross.

Everything in the universe should yield glory to God. Whether creation (Ps. 19:1), a company (Ps. 29:1–2), good works of the saints (Mt. 5:16), the assembly (Eph. 3:21), and many other things, including what we will take up pertaining to head covering.

Individual Aspects

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1 Corinthians 11

Verse 1. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

We are exhorted to be followers of Paul, even as he also is a follower of the Lord. As discussed above, Christ is ever the standard of the Christian. “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master” (Mt. 10:24). In John 13:34, we are told of the “new commandment to love one another, as I have loved you.”

As to the portion before us, it seems that we need to learn of Him, of how to submit to the word of God, and the instructions given to us.

We often read “that the scriptures might be fulfilled” in connection with the Lord Jesus in His life and suffering. As imitators of Him, it is therefore our responsibility to submit to the Word of God and leave the consequences of obedience to the One who judges righteously.

Verse 2. Now I praise you brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

The word “ordinances” is sometimes translated as “directions” or “traditions.” In fact, the meaning here is “anything delivered in any way” (JND). Paul emphasizes this by also using the word “delivered,” which is identical to other truths concerning Christ that are delivered to us and are enjoyed by saints. This indicates that the truth of head covering is dear to the heart of God and should be dear to our hearts as well.

Verse 3. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

It is evident that Headship has nothing whatsoever to do with culture. The truth of Headship reaches all the way up to God. Therefore, the truths inspired by the Spirit are not cultural at all but are for the glory of God.

Remember that headship is all about direction, nourishment, support, and influence. From the beginning of creation, when Adam was formed, it was clear that he was the head of the old creation. It is truly amazing that, when animals and fowls were formed, God brought them to Adam to give them names, and whatever he called them, that was the name thereof (Gen. 2:19–20).

We learn from Romans 5:14 that Adam was a figure of Him that was to come. Therefore, as a figure of Christ who is Head over all things, he became the head of the woman since Christ is the Head of His own body, the assembly.

[Note: The most beautiful display of the headship of God toward the Christ as a blessed man is found in Isaiah 50:4.]

Verse 4. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

Once we understand verse 3 correctly, we can understand why the apostle writes that it is inappropriate for a man to pray (speaking to God) or to prophesy (God speaking through him) with his head covered, for it displays Christ. Certainly, we all have a desire to display Christ in every possible way.

Verses 5–6. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered, dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

We find in 1 Corinthians 14:34 that in the assembly the woman is to be silent. But how wonderful to learn here that dear sisters have the same privileges to pray and to prophesy in private settings rather than the assembly setting.

The apostle uses strong language, “in putting her head to shame,” because she is not distinguishing in a practical way Christ from everyone else. The exhortation is for her head (the man) and her to have the single desire of displaying Christ alone. Refusing to do so is as if she shaved or cut off her hair. All that the Creator has built in the woman, her beauty, form, and the hair that is her glory, is completely set aside since she lost the character of what distinguishes her from man.

The realization of heaven’s evaluation regarding this matter of shaming her head would exercise her to cover her head.

Verse 7. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and the glory of God: but the woman is the glory of man.

This verse sets before us another reason why a man should keep his head uncovered:

  • As the image of God’s, he is a representation of God in Creation.

The glory of God goes beyond representation; in fact, it is the display of the excellency and the moral character of God. How lovely that as the woman covers her head, she is proclaiming no glory should be seen but the glory of God and Christ.

  • The woman is man’s glory ONLY. She displays the character of her man.

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1 Corinthians 11 Cont.

Verses 8–9. For the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man.

The apostle addresses here the question of origin, which was the rib of the man and the need of a helpmeet (Gen. 2:20–21).

Verse 10. For this cause ought the woman to have power [or authority] on her head, because of the angels.

As discussed in the first section, angels now admire the wisdom of God in head covering. What are they learning in this act? They witnessed the woman of the old creation, Eve, rejecting the authority and the role of her husband in submitting to the instructions that God gave him. Oh, but now there is a woman in a new creation who is willing to display that she is under authority and willing to obey God’s word.

Verse 11. Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, neither is the woman without the man, in the Lord.

Paul is impressing upon us that the roles are different for a man and a woman. Yet, in both cases, in submitting to the Lordship and the rights of Christ, there is absolute equality from the divine, eternal perspective.

Verse 12. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman: but all things of God.

Although the woman is built from the rib of man, the place of affection, nevertheless, if there is going to be multiplying and fruitfulness according to the purpose of God, then it is by the woman, for she is called the mother of all living (Gen. 3:20). This verse concludes with acknowledging that it is all done by the wisdom of God.

Verse 13. Judge ye in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

As Paul presented to us in the previous verses all the beauties of the woman covering her head, he now challenges us to judge if it is suitable for the woman to be uncovered when she prays to God. I trust that all would reach the same conclusion that she should not be.

Verses 14–15. Doth not even nature itself teach you, that if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering [or veil].

The apostle goes beyond the spiritual lessons of covering to present us with lessons that we learn from nature itself. A man with long hair dishonors himself since he does not distinguish himself to look like a man. How wonderful that we also learn from nature that women should have long hair, for it is her glory. Hair that could reach the feet of Christ and wipe them morally as the woman broke the alabaster box of ointment. What a scene of a godly woman placing her own glory at His feet. This act teaches us another lesson: that as the woman covers her head (the man), she also displays the intent to cover her own glory as well as to show forth the glory of Christ ONLY.

[Note: Some will argue that a Nazarite was to have long hair; I do not take it up here as it is not our subject matter, but am happy to respond to any inquiry.]

In verse 15, the apostle uses a different word for covering which means “veil.” The difference is the following:

  • The previous word “covering” is to hide completely, to conceal. As if nothing of man is to be seen in the presence of divine persons. Think of Matthew 17:8, where we read the disciples “saw no man save Jesus only.”

  • The “veil” in verse 15 is something thrown around a person as attire. Remember Joseph in Genesis 41:42, whom Pharaoh arrayed with vestures, his ring, etc. so that all Egypt would know who Joseph was and for the world to marvel at his character. God has given the woman hair as a natural veil to make her distinct from man and to give her a special beauty for her own glory.

    Verse 16. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

    Many misunderstand this verse to mean that if someone feels strongly against head covering and is contentious, then let them be uncovered. On the contrary, the apostle is guarding against such a spirit of contentiousness that willfully wants to alter God's order. Paul was always consistent to teach the same thing in all the churches and never compromised on anything that would take away from the order and the glory of God.

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Conclusion

To my dear sisters in the Lord

There is a great measure of beauty for the eyes of God in the act of head covering. Be encouraged to do so when you are in His presence at any time, whether you are speaking to Him or He is using you to speak to others.

Much love in Christ,
John A.

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