Head Covering A Symbol To The Unseen Realm by Greg Gordon



It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. – 1 Corinthians 11:10

The passage in Corinthians clearly teaches of headship where God is the head of Christ and Christ is the head of man and man is the head of woman. Though Biblical submission is right woman are not inferior spiritually but one in Christ. Yet they must choose to submit and humble themselves just as Christ humbled himself before the Father. God’s government and way of order is in such a way where each member must do his or her part. When women or men choose not to fulfill and walk in God’s ways for the Church, disorder and every evil practice ensues. The importance of head covering is not an outward reason but an spiritual reality proclaimed to the principalities and powers. When the head covering is practiced it proclaims God’s order and way to all of creation, including the angels (1 Peter 1:12). K.P. Yohannan says, “Have you considered why there is so much tension and fighting over placing a small piece of cloth on one’s head? When a woman wears the symbol of God’s government, a head covering, she is essentially a rebuke to all the fallen angels. Her actions say to them, ‘You have rebelled against the Holy God, but I submit to Him and His headship. I choose not to follow your example of rebellion and pride.'” Eve fell into satan’s rebellion (2 Corinthians 11:3), yet now in the Church women declare they are following God’s order in the Church (1 Timothy 2:12-14).

Watchman Nee says, “When many of the sisters in the church take the place given to woman and learn to cover their heads, they send out an unspoken word of testimony to the angels in the air, to the effect that God has obtained in the church what He desires.” Hippolytus an early Church Father wrote, “let all the women have their heads covered.” Others who taught this practice in the Church were, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Early Church Fathers, John Wesley, Matthew Henry to name just a few. We must remind ourselves that until the twentieth century, virtually all Christian women wore head coverings. As we worship together as the Church we enter into worship with the holy angels in heaven who cover their faces (Isaiah 6:2). In the same way sisters covering their heads show they honouring of the glory of God. Clement of Rom in A.D. 96 said, “Then let us gather together in awareness of our concord” speaking of the holy angels when we worship. The Church is to gather and worship God in the spirit (John 4:24) doing things that the world considers foolish but for the Lord there is great significance. Paul speaking as inspired by the Holy Spirit said, “we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God” (1 Corinthians 11:16). It was not just a local custom or practice but all the Churches were practicing this as with water Baptism and Holy Communion. This was not an optional thing as the default was all the Churches were doing it. But Paul gives grace to those who are not convinced of its importance from the Lord as the Corinthians partly were divided over many issues including this one.
 
You know.. The subject of "Submission" and "Obedience" within the church at large is sadly a neglected one... Not just among women - but everyone in general..... Leadership, men, women, children, volunteers, employees... Everybody.

So often - we forget that God has ways of doing things - and those ways are consistent.... Doing things God's way is something we have to humble ourselves to learn - because it's not what we want to do... We want to do whatever seems right to us in our own mind - and then call it "The Holy Spirit"... That's not God's way - in fact, it's breaking the 2nd Commandment - which can be translated "You shall not put the Name of The Lord upon chaos"

If the men don't learn to submit and obey Jesus (Not legalism, but rather learn to HEAR, discern, submit, and obey) - why would we expect that the women would learn to submit and obey the men? If the men aren't willing to truly submit and obey - why do we expect that God would drive our women to come into submission and obedience.... That's not to say it's right to disobey and refuse to submit, but it's the reality...

As Christ was the model - so are we men supposed to be.... How's that going?

Thanks
 
The passage in Corinthians clearly teaches of headship where God is the head of Christ and Christ is the head of man and man is the head of woman.

This premise is a false one. The word "kephale" which means "head" is not in reference to one in charge over, but in reference to "origin of", such as the head of a mighty river is the source or origin of that river.

1 Corinthians 11:3

But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Therefore, the reading of the above passage correctly gives us the understanding that the origin/source of man is Christ the Creator, and the origin/source of woman is man, and the origin/source of Christ, the Anointed One, is God.

The use of the headcovering is unnecessary in this culture. I am grateful to God that your sermonizing is not for us.
 
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If the men don't learn to submit and obey Jesus (Not legalism, but rather learn to HEAR, discern, submit, and obey) - why would we expect that the women would learn to submit and obey the men?

God doesn't command that women submit to men.
 
It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. – 1 Corinthians 11:10
What version is being quoted here?

I don't mean to nit-pick, but small differences can cause great misunderstandings.

Most versions do not say a woman ought to have authority on her own head, but that she should have a 'token' or 'symbol' of authority on her head. King James says ..."should have power on her head".

Young's literal puts brackets around [a token of],which commonly means that the bracketed text is not a direct translation, but is strongly implied by the original (there are many better language scholars than I who may be able to comment here).

We may meditate on the difference, and where the authority being symbolized actually lies.
 
No one really knows what Paul meant when he said, "It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels."
 


It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. – 1 Corinthians 11:10

The passage in Corinthians clearly teaches of headship where God is the head of Christ and Christ is the head of man and man is the head of woman. Though Biblical submission is right woman are not inferior spiritually but one in Christ. Yet they must choose to submit and humble themselves just as Christ humbled himself before the Father. God’s government and way of order is in such a way where each member must do his or her part. When women or men choose not to fulfill and walk in God’s ways for the Church, disorder and every evil practice ensues. The importance of head covering is not an outward reason but an spiritual reality proclaimed to the principalities and powers. When the head covering is practiced it proclaims God’s order and way to all of creation, including the angels (1 Peter 1:12). K.P. Yohannan says, “Have you considered why there is so much tension and fighting over placing a small piece of cloth on one’s head? When a woman wears the symbol of God’s government, a head covering, she is essentially a rebuke to all the fallen angels. Her actions say to them, ‘You have rebelled against the Holy God, but I submit to Him and His headship. I choose not to follow your example of rebellion and pride.'” Eve fell into satan’s rebellion (2 Corinthians 11:3), yet now in the Church women declare they are following God’s order in the Church (1 Timothy 2:12-14).

Watchman Nee says, “When many of the sisters in the church take the place given to woman and learn to cover their heads, they send out an unspoken word of testimony to the angels in the air, to the effect that God has obtained in the church what He desires.” Hippolytus an early Church Father wrote, “let all the women have their heads covered.” Others who taught this practice in the Church were, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Early Church Fathers, John Wesley, Matthew Henry to name just a few. We must remind ourselves that until the twentieth century, virtually all Christian women wore head coverings. As we worship together as the Church we enter into worship with the holy angels in heaven who cover their faces (Isaiah 6:2). In the same way sisters covering their heads show they honouring of the glory of God. Clement of Rom in A.D. 96 said, “Then let us gather together in awareness of our concord” speaking of the holy angels when we worship. The Church is to gather and worship God in the spirit (John 4:24) doing things that the world considers foolish but for the Lord there is great significance. Paul speaking as inspired by the Holy Spirit said, “we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God” (1 Corinthians 11:16). It was not just a local custom or practice but all the Churches were practicing this as with water Baptism and Holy Communion. This was not an optional thing as the default was all the Churches were doing it. But Paul gives grace to those who are not convinced of its importance from the Lord as the Corinthians partly were divided over many issues including this one.
I entirely agree. The scripture is plain as to this requirement, but it's neglected so widely in Christendom today. If we, men and women alike, were more conscious of the headship of Christ, then I'm sure there would be less neglect and controversy surrounding principles like this.
 
I entirely agree. The scripture is plain as to this requirement, but it's neglected so widely in Christendom today. If we, men and women alike, were more conscious of the headship of Christ, then I'm sure there would be less neglect and controversy surrounding principles like this.

How is the scripture about headcovering plain to the 21st century culture? The instructions regarding headcoverings were cultural, pertaining to first century Palestine.
 
How is the scripture about headcovering plain to the 21st century culture? The instructions regarding headcoverings were cultural, pertaining to first century Palestine.
"Be my imitators, even as *I* also am of Christ. Now I praise you, that in all things ye are mindful of me; and that as I have directed you, ye keep the directions. But I wish you to know that the Christ is the head of every man, but woman's head is the man, and the Christ's head God." - 1 Corinthians 11:1-3

This truth is intimately connected with the headship of Christ. If we deny that a woman should cover her head, the 'logical conclusion' (I don't like using that phrase, because logic has very little to do with the things of God) is denial of the headship of Christ.

As for these directions being cultural, I've heard that argument before. My answer to it then was a question: what other directions of the apostle Paul's are merely cultural, and can just be dismissed because the culture of the godless world around us has changed? Are we, as believers, to move with the times and accommodate ourselves to the passing fashions and whims of the world or the particular culture we're surrounded by, while disregarding the plain word of scripture? Surely, sister, you wouldn't advocate that.
 
"Be my imitators, even as *I* also am of Christ. Now I praise you, that in all things ye are mindful of me; and that as I have directed you, ye keep the directions. But I wish you to know that the Christ is the head of every man, but woman's head is the man, and the Christ's head God." - 1 Corinthians 11:1-3

This truth is intimately connected with the headship of Christ. If we deny that a woman should cover her head, the 'logical conclusion' (I don't like using that phrase, because logic has very little to do with the things of God) is denial of the headship of Christ.

As for these directions being cultural, I've heard that argument before. My answer to it then was a question: what other directions of the apostle Paul's are merely cultural, and can just be dismissed because the culture of the godless world around us has changed? Are we, as believers, to move with the times and accommodate ourselves to the passing fashions and whims of the world or the particular culture we're surrounded by, while disregarding the plain word of scripture? Surely, sister, you wouldn't advocate that.

Are you part of the Brethren movement? Many of your posts, at least to me, point in that direction.
 
"Be my imitators, even as *I* also am of Christ. Now I praise you, that in all things ye are mindful of me; and that as I have directed you, ye keep the directions. But I wish you to know that the Christ is the head of every man, but woman's head is the man, and the Christ's head God." - 1 Corinthians 11:1-3

This truth is intimately connected with the headship of Christ. If we deny that a woman should cover her head, the 'logical conclusion' (I don't like using that phrase, because logic has very little to do with the things of God) is denial of the headship of Christ.

As for these directions being cultural, I've heard that argument before. My answer to it then was a question: what other directions of the apostle Paul's are merely cultural, and can just be dismissed because the culture of the godless world around us has changed? Are we, as believers, to move with the times and accommodate ourselves to the passing fashions and whims of the world or the particular culture we're surrounded by, while disregarding the plain word of scripture? Surely, sister, you wouldn't advocate that.

So, tell me...do you insist on the women and girls in your church to adhere to a first century custom to cover their heads?

It's Paul's logical prescription for that particular church at that particular time in history, for a particular difficulty in behaviour.

We don't cover our heads anywhere in society for any reason apart from weather. It is a cultural behaviour that the middle eastern people adhere to. Paul was addressing the fact that the newly Christian women were coming into the churches with bare heads and bald heads, bearing the outward look of their pagan pasts. Baldness was found in those who were priestesses in the cult of Aphrodite. Paul wanted them to cover up their remnant look and be modest and uniform, dressing as other women of the day. Nothing wrong with that.

Today, we would stick out like a sore thumb coming into the Lord's house veiled. How welcoming would that be to visitors? It isn't the uniform dress of women today, and to adhere to an ancient custom of dress as some sort of religious and pious behaviour is legalism and serves to hold the unchurched at arm's length, rather than endear us to them.

*Your posts reveal a denominational affect, much like Mennonite or Amish or Brethren.
 
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So, tell me...do you insist on the women and girls in your church to adhere to a first century custom to cover their heads?

It's Paul's logical prescription for that particular church at that particular time in history, for a particular difficulty in behaviour.

We don't cover our heads anywhere in society for any reason apart from weather. It is a cultural behaviour that the middle eastern people adhere to. Paul was addressing the fact that the newly Christian women were coming into the churches with bare heads and bald heads, bearing the outward look of their pagan pasts. Baldness was found in those who were priestesses in the cult of Aphrodite. Paul wanted them to cover up their remnant look and be modest and uniform, dressing as other women of the day. Nothing wrong with that.

Today, we would stick out like a sore thumb coming into the Lord's house veiled. How welcoming would that be to visitors? It isn't the uniform dress of women today, and to adhere to an ancient custom of dress as some sort of religious and pious behaviour is legalism and serves to hold the unchurched at arm's length, rather than endear us to them.


Your posts reveal a denominational affect, much like Mennonite or Amish or Brethren.

The sisters, who understand and are obedient to the word of God, come to gatherings wearing something on their head, commonly a hat, but sometimes a headscarf. They do it, not because a man told them to, but because they value and cherish the glory of God. Correspondingly, the brothers never wear anything on their head when we gather, in line with the complimentary truth of men having their heads uncovered.

Again, I've heard these arguments before, I'm sorry to say. All I'll say to this is that we understand and appreciate the underlying truth - which the apostle sets out for us in this same chapter - then this divine instruction will be precious to us, as every divine instruction will be.

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." - John 14:15

For the dear sisters, and for me, these things are a love matter. We're not under law, but under love. If we love the Lord Jesus, we are obedient to His commandments, and we have a conscious sense of His pleasure.
 
The sisters, who understand and are obedient to the word of God, come to gatherings wearing something on their head, commonly a hat, but sometimes a headscarf. They do it, not because a man told them to, but because they value and cherish the glory of God. Correspondingly, the brothers never wear anything on their head when we gather, in line with the complimentary truth of men having their heads uncovered.

Again, I've heard these arguments before, I'm sorry to say. All I'll say to this is that we understand and appreciate the underlying truth - which the apostle sets out for us in this same chapter - then this divine instruction will be precious to us, as every divine instruction will be.

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." - John 14:15

For the dear sisters, and for me, these things are a love matter. We're not under law, but under love. If we love the Lord Jesus, we are obedient to His commandments, and we have a conscious sense of His pleasure.

Women who wear a head covering are free to do so, but it is not in obedience to anything but a man-made tradition.

We, as believers, are called to modesty. In Paul's day, a bald woman or a woman without a headcovering was viewed as immodest. That is our only standard. They also were called to be modest in their way and blend in with society's mode of dress.

We are not called to revert to first century Palestine fashion. Paul was not discussing such a thing. He was teaching the men and women about decorum in the church meeting.

I pray for such women today who wear a covering that they will find their freedom in Christ. He doesn't call them to do it. Religion does. It doesn't mean that they love the Saviour any less. It is their act of reverence. However, some are doing it out of submission to a male's interpretation of Paul's epistles. I trust that as people become more filled with the knowledge of God and with the Holy Spirit, He will speak to them about it. In the meantime, let us worship Jesus Christ with abandon! Hopefully the covering will fall off!

The only thing I want on my head is the hand of Jesus blessing me.
 
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Women who wear a head covering are free to do so, but it is not in obedience to anything but a man-made tradition.

We, as believers, are called to modesty. In Paul's day, a bald woman or a woman without a headcovering was viewed as immodest. That is our only standard. They also were called to be modest in their way and blend in with society's mode of dress.

We are not called to revert to first century Palestine fashion. Paul was not discussing such a thing. He was teaching the men and women about decorum in the church meeting.

I pray for such women today who wear a covering that they will find their freedom in Christ. He doesn't call them to do it. Religion does. It doesn't mean that they love the Saviour any less. It is their act of reverence. However, some are doing it out of submission to a male's interpretation of Paul's epistles. I trust that as people become more filled with the knowledge of God and with the Holy Spirit, He will speak to them about it. In the meantime, let us worship Jesus Christ with abandon! Hopefully the covering will fall off!

The only thing I want on my head is the hand of Jesus blessing me.
I say this with love, but... it's impossible to reason with someone who isn't governed by the word of God, but by their own thoughts instead. Euphemia, what you've said here is plainly, blatantly unscriptural - there's no other word for it. It's an attempt to make the word of God void. It pains me a great deal to have to say that, but it's true.
 
I say this with love, but... it's impossible to reason with someone who isn't governed by the word of God, but by their own thoughts instead. Euphemia, what you've said here is plainly, blatantly unscriptural - there's no other word for it. It's an attempt to make the word of God void. It pains me a great deal to have to say that, but it's true.

Nonsense! You cannot seem to discern what is cultural advice from Paul and what is not. Definitely, the headcovering was for the custom of the day. There is no command by God for us to wear headcoverings. We know that it is not for this culture and that Paul didn't mean it to be a for-all-time edict.

Your literality in this regard is self-serving and only serves to divide the Body of Christ. This is petty stuff, and we are warned against arguing about it. That is the bigger command.
 
It makes it difficult to remain outward-focused as Christians, bringing people to Christ, and into the Church, when there is this foreign throwback to first century Palestine enforced on half of the congregation. A new believer or seeker today would run, not walk out of the church and away from the message. It is too weird, to be truthful.

Women are free, and are to be out there bringing in the lost to find Christ--worshiping before their God just as they are!
Hey, I worship God naked in the shower!

When we come together to worship God and celebrate Jesus as a corporate body, we worship like David did! There is no head covering in the world that can remain in place on the head of a woman who worships the way God loves it!

Get real, people! We, like nature, are to worship and praise our Father with clean hearts and lifted heads! There should be no religiosity in our standing before Him. Imposing ancient modes of dress upon women today is simply piosity run amok. You aren't going to be filling your churches with new believers if you are trapped in tradition.

Break free.
 
God doesn't command that women submit to men.
Colossians 3:18
New International Version
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
New Living Translation

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.
English Standard Version

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
New American Standard Bible

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
King James Bible

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Holman Christian Standard Bible

Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. International Standard Version
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate for those who belong to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:22
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.
1 Peter 3:1

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,

I see you updated to:
Husbands and wives are to submit to each other.
Husbands should love their wives as Christ loves the Church.
I don't think Christ submits to the Church. Love, respect and care for.
 
Colossians 3:18
New International Version
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
New Living Translation
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.
English Standard Version
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
New American Standard Bible
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
King James Bible
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. International Standard Version
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate for those who belong to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:22
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.
1 Peter 3:1
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,

I see you updated to:

Husbands should love their wives as Christ loves the Church.
I don't think Christ submits to the Church. Love, respect and care for.

Husbands only...not men in general. Yet husbands and wives are called to submit to one another, as is the entire Body of Christ, but many seem to overlook that, and with agenda in mind, zero in only on the wives bit, found just previous in:

Ephesians 5:21
Instructions for Christian Households
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
 
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