1 Corinthians 11:4

KJV

Every man praying or prophesying, having [his] head covered, dishonoureth his head.

KJV (with Strong's)

Every {G3956} man {G435} praying {G4336} or {G2228} prophesying {G4395}, having {G2192} his head {G2776} covered {G2596}, dishonoureth {G2617} his {G846} head {G2776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Every man who prays or prophesies wearing something down over his head brings shame to his head,

Berean Standard Bible

Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.

American Standard Version

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 11:4, the Apostle Paul addresses the conduct of men in public worship, specifically in the acts of praying or prophesying. He asserts that any man who engages in these spiritual activities with his head covered brings dishonor upon his "head," which, in light of the preceding verse, refers to Christ. This statement underscores Paul's concern for maintaining proper order, decorum, and symbolic representation of divine headship within the Corinthian church's worship gatherings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Paul's extended discussion in [1 Corinthians 11](/1_corinthians/11 "1 Corinthians 11 - Head Coverings and the Lord's Supper") regarding order in public worship, particularly concerning head coverings and the Lord's Supper. It immediately follows Paul's foundational declaration in [1 Corinthians 11:3](/1_corinthians/11-3 "1 Corinthians 11:3 - The Divine Order of Headship"), which establishes a hierarchical structure of headship: God is the head of Christ, Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman. Verse 4, therefore, applies this principle directly to the man's role in public spiritual leadership. Paul's broader aim in [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians "1 Corinthians - Instructions for the Church") is to correct various disorders and misunderstandings within the Corinthian church, moving from issues of division and immorality to matters of worship practice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, particularly among men, appearing uncovered in public, especially when engaging in religious or civic duties, was generally a sign of honor, freedom, and direct access. Roman men typically prayed with their heads uncovered. Conversely, covering a man's head could, in some contexts, symbolize shame, mourning, or a subordinate status. While Jewish men often covered their heads for prayer, Paul, writing to a predominantly Gentile church in a Greco-Roman city, likely drew upon the prevailing cultural understanding that an uncovered head for a man signified honor and authority. His instruction here should be understood within the specific cultural nuances of Corinth, where a man's uncovered head was a public affirmation of his dignity and direct relationship with his "head," Christ.
* **Key Themes:** This verse directly contributes to several major themes woven throughout [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians "1 Corinthians - Instructions for the Church"). Firstly, it emphasizes **Order and Decorum in Worship**. Paul consistently advocates for an orderly and respectful environment in the church's gatherings, as seen later in [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Let All Things Be Done Decently and in Order"). Secondly, the verse is central to the theme of **Headship and Authority**. Building on [1 Corinthians 11:3](/1_corinthians/11-3 "1 Corinthians 11:3 - The Divine Order of Headship"), it illustrates how outward actions can symbolically affirm or deny the established divine order, particularly Christ's headship over man. For a man to cover his head while praying or prophesying would symbolically obscure or diminish the direct authority and glory given to him by Christ, his spiritual head. Lastly, the concept of **Honor and Dishonor** is paramount. The act of "dishonouring his head" signifies not merely a social misstep but an action that undermines the divinely ordained structure and, by extension, brings disrespect to Christ himself.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **covered (Greek, _katá_):** Derived from G2596 (katá), a primary particle meaning "down (in place or time), in varied relations." While `katá` itself is a preposition often indicating "down" or "against," in this context, combined with the implied verb, it refers to the act of being "covered down" or "veiled." It signifies a complete or significant covering of the head, indicating a state or action that obscures or conceals.
* **dishonoureth (Greek, _kataischýnō_):** From G2617 (kataischýnō), meaning "to shame down, i.e. disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush." This word conveys a strong sense of bringing shame, disgrace, or humiliation upon someone or something. In this verse, it implies an action that diminishes the honor or reputation of the "head" (Christ), causing a loss of respect or dignity.
* **head (Greek, _kephalḗ_):** From G2776 (kephalḗ), meaning "the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively." This term is crucial as it functions on two levels. Literally, it refers to the physical head. Figuratively, as established in [1 Corinthians 11:3](/1_corinthians/11-3 "1 Corinthians 11:3 - The Divine Order of Headship"), it signifies "source," "chief," "authority," or "leader." In the context of "dishonoureth his head," it primarily refers to Christ, the spiritual head of every man.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Every man praying or prophesying":** This clause identifies the specific context and participants. "Every man" (G3956 _pâs_ G435 _anḗr_) refers to individual males within the assembly. "Praying" (G4336 _proseúchomai_) and "prophesying" (G4395 _prophēteúō_) denote public spiritual activities involving direct communication with God or inspired utterance for the edification of the church. These are roles of spiritual leadership and public representation.
* **"having his head covered":** This describes the specific action that is deemed inappropriate. "Having" (G2192 _échō_) denotes possession or a state of being. "His head" (G846 _autós_ G2776 _kephalḗ_) refers to the man's physical head. "Covered" (G2596 _katá_, implying a verb like _katakalyptō_) signifies a veil or covering over the head. The issue is not merely the presence of something on the head but a deliberate act of covering that carries symbolic weight.
* **"dishonoureth his head":** This states the consequence of the action. "Dishonoureth" (G2617 _kataischýnō_) means to disgrace or shame. The final "his head" (G846 _autós_ G2776 _kephalḗ_) refers metaphorically to Christ, as established in [1 Corinthians 11:3](/1_corinthians/11-3 "1 Corinthians 11:3 - The Divine Order of Headship"). For a man to cover his head while representing Christ in prayer or prophecy would be to symbolically diminish or obscure the glory and authority of Christ, his ultimate spiritual head.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey his message in 1 Corinthians 11:4. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the dual use of the word "head" (_kephalē_). While it literally refers to the physical head of a man, its second occurrence in "dishonoureth his head" functions metaphorically to refer to Christ, the spiritual "head" or authority over man, as defined in [1 Corinthians 11:3](/1_corinthians/11-3 "1 Corinthians 11:3 - The Divine Order of Headship"). This metaphorical extension creates a powerful link between the physical action and its spiritual implications. Furthermore, the act of covering or uncovering the head itself functions as **Symbolism**. In the cultural context, an uncovered head for a man symbolized honor, freedom, and direct access, while a covered head could symbolize shame or subordination. By instructing men to pray or prophesy with uncovered heads, Paul is using this cultural symbol to affirm the man's direct, unmediated relationship with Christ and to prevent any symbolic dishonor to Christ's headship. The verse also implicitly uses **Contrast** between honor and dishonor, highlighting that certain actions in worship can either uphold or undermine the divine order and the glory due to Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 11:4 is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of divine order, authority, and the proper representation of God's glory in creation and worship. The theological significance extends beyond the specific cultural practice of head coverings, pointing to timeless principles of reverence, submission to Christ's headship, and the appropriate conduct of those who lead in spiritual matters. It underscores that our outward actions in worship are not merely arbitrary but can carry profound symbolic meaning, reflecting our understanding and respect for God's established order. The verse challenges believers to consider how their participation in public worship either honors or dishonors the Lord, emphasizing that all actions should ultimately point to Christ's supreme authority and glory.

* [Ephesians 5:23](/ephesians/5-23 "Ephesians 5:23 - Christ is Head of the Church")
* [Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ is the Head of the Body, the Church")
* [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Let All Things Be Done Decently and in Order")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific cultural practice of head coverings for men in public worship is not universally observed in most contemporary churches, the underlying principles of 1 Corinthians 11:4 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse calls us to a deep awareness that our actions, particularly in corporate worship and spiritual leadership, carry symbolic weight and reflect our understanding of divine authority. It challenges us to consider how we present ourselves before God and the community, ensuring that our conduct always honors Christ as our ultimate Head. We are encouraged to embrace our spiritual responsibilities with humility and integrity, ensuring that our lives and ministries consistently glorify God and do not obscure or diminish the preeminence of Christ. Ultimately, this passage is an invitation to cultivate a spirit of reverence, order, and intentionality in all aspects of our worship, both individually and corporately, so that Christ alone is magnified.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might our contemporary practices, attitudes, or attire in worship inadvertently "dishonor" Christ's headship, even if not through literal head coverings?**
* **How does understanding Christ as the "head" of every man inform a man's approach to spiritual leadership and responsibility within the church and home?**
* **What does "order and decorum" in worship look like in our current cultural context, and how can we ensure our practices reflect reverence for God's authority?**

### FAQ
**Does 1 Corinthians 11:4 mean men must always pray with their heads uncovered in all contexts today?**

Answer: While the verse specifically addresses the cultural practice of head coverings in Corinthian public worship, its enduring principle is about recognizing and honoring Christ's headship. In the Greco-Roman world, an uncovered head for a man signified honor and freedom, aligning with the man's direct relationship with Christ as his head. Therefore, the command was culturally specific to convey a timeless theological truth. Today, the literal practice of men covering their heads for prayer is rare in most Western churches, and the cultural symbolism has largely shifted. The application for contemporary believers is to ensure that their conduct in worship, whatever form it takes, always reflects honor and submission to Christ, avoiding anything that would symbolically diminish His authority or glory. The emphasis is on the underlying principle of honoring Christ, rather than a rigid adherence to the specific cultural custom.

**What does "dishonoureth his head" mean in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "dishonoureth his head" (G2617 _kataischýnō_ G2776 _kephalḗ_) carries significant weight. As established in [1 Corinthians 11:3](/1_corinthians/11-3 "1 Corinthians 11:3 - The Divine Order of Headship"), the "head" of every man is Christ. Therefore, for a man to pray or prophesy with his head covered was understood, within the Corinthian cultural context, as an act that symbolically dishonored Christ. It implied a blurring of the lines of authority or a misrepresentation of the man's direct and unmediated relationship with Christ. It was not merely a social faux pas but an act that undermined the divine order and, by extension, brought shame or disrespect upon Christ himself, who is the ultimate "head" of man and the Church, as seen in [Ephesians 1:22](/ephesians/1-22 "Ephesians 1:22 - Christ as Head over All Things to the Church").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 11:4, while addressing a specific cultural practice, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus as the perfect embodiment of both submission and supreme authority. Christ is explicitly identified as the "head" of every man in [1 Corinthians 11:3](/1_corinthians/11-3 "1 Corinthians 11:3 - The Divine Order of Headship"), making Him the ultimate referent for the "head" being honored or dishonored. Jesus perfectly honored His Father, His ultimate "head," by His complete obedience and self-giving, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). He never sought to obscure or diminish the Father's glory but always pointed to Him, declaring, "The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do" ([John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - The Son Can Do Nothing of Himself")). As the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")), Jesus perfectly reveals the Father without any "covering" or impediment. Therefore, when men pray or prophesy with uncovered heads, they are symbolically reflecting the unhindered glory and direct authority they derive from Christ, who perfectly models honor and submission to God, and who is himself the supreme Head over all things for the church ([Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22-23 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ, Head of the Church")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 15:30

And David went up by the ascent of [mount] Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that [was] with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

1 Corinthians 11:14

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

1 Corinthians 12:10

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

1 Corinthians 12:28

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

2 Samuel 19:4

But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!

1 Corinthians 14:1

¶ Follow after charity, and desire spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:25

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on [his] face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.