1 Corinthians 11:5

1 Corinthians 11:5 is a key verse in Paul's instructions to the Corinthian church regarding order and conduct during public worship. It specifically addresses the appearance and behavior of women when they engage in spiritual activities like prayer or prophecy.

Context

In 1 Corinthians chapter 11, Paul is addressing several issues that have arisen in the Corinthian church, particularly concerning their public assemblies. His discussion moves from the concept of divine headship and authority (God is the head of Christ, Christ is the head of man, and man is the head of woman) to the practical implications of this order in their gatherings. The cultural norms of ancient Corinth, a bustling Roman city with diverse influences, played a significant role in how public appearances were perceived. For women, head coverings were often a symbol of modesty, honor, and social status, distinguishing respectable women from others.

Key Themes

• Honor and Shame: The core message of the verse is about maintaining honor and avoiding shame within the community's cultural context. Paul asserts that a woman praying or prophesying with an uncovered head "dishonoureth her head," implying a breach of social and spiritual decorum that was culturally understood as shameful.
• Order in Worship: This instruction contributes to Paul's broader emphasis on maintaining order and decorum in Christian worship, ensuring that all actions reflect God's design and bring glory to Him, not confusion or scandal.
• Cultural Symbolism: The head covering served as a visible sign of a woman's honor and her acknowledgment of the established order, preventing misinterpretation or offense in a society where such symbols carried significant weight.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "head" is kephalē (κεφαλή), which can refer both to the literal physical head and, metaphorically, to a source, origin, or authority. Paul plays on this duality throughout the chapter. The phrase "uncovered" translates from akatakalyptos (ἀκατακάλυπτος), meaning "unveiled" or "not covered down."

The comparison, "for that is even all one as if she were shaven," highlights the severity of the perceived dishonor. In the Greco-Roman world, a woman having her head shaven (xuraō, ξυράω) was often a mark of deep disgrace, typically associated with punishment for adultery, prostitution, or public shame. By equating an uncovered head with a shaven head, Paul emphasizes the profound cultural offense and dishonor it represented in that specific context.

Practical Application

While the specific practice of head covering in worship is interpreted and applied differently across Christian traditions today, the underlying principles of 1 Corinthians 11:5 remain highly relevant:

• Principle of Respect and Decorum: Believers are called to conduct themselves in ways that honor God and do not bring unnecessary offense or shame to the gospel within their cultural setting. The goal is to avoid anything that would hinder the message of Christ or cause disunity.
• Principle of Order in Worship: God desires that all things be done "decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40). This verse serves as a reminder to consider how our actions and appearance contribute to or detract from an atmosphere of reverence and respect during corporate worship.
• Discerning Timeless Truths from Cultural Forms: This passage encourages thoughtful engagement with scripture, distinguishing between timeless theological principles (like honor, order, and respect for God's design) and the specific cultural expressions through which these principles were manifested in the first century. The challenge for believers is to apply these enduring principles faithfully in their own cultural context.