1 Corinthians 11:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} every {G3956} woman {G1135} that prayeth {G4336} or {G2228} prophesieth {G4395} with her head {G2776} uncovered {G177} dishonoureth {G2617} her {G1438} head {G2776}: for {G1063} that is {G2076} even {G2532} all one {G1520} as if {G846} she were shaven {G3587}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but every woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame to her head — there is no difference between her and a woman who has had her head shaved.

Berean Standard Bible

And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved.

American Standard Version

But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoreth her head; for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Corinthians 11:5 is a pivotal verse within Paul's instructions to the Corinthian church concerning appropriate conduct and appearance during public worship. It specifically addresses the practice of women praying or prophesying without a head covering, asserting that such an action dishonors her "head," a term carrying both physical and metaphorical significance, and equates this perceived dishonor to the extreme cultural shame associated with a shaven head.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Paul's broader discourse in [1 Corinthians 11](/1-corinthians/11 "1 Corinthians 11 - Divine Order and Worship Practices"), where he addresses issues of order and decorum in the Corinthian church's public assemblies. Paul begins the chapter by establishing a divine hierarchy of headship—God as the head of Christ, Christ as the head of man, and man as the head of woman ([1 Corinthians 11:3](/1-corinthians/11-3 "1 Corinthians 11:3 - Divine Order of Headship")). Following this foundational principle, he immediately transitions to the practical implications for men and women's appearance during prayer and prophecy, with [1 Corinthians 11:5](/1-corinthians/11-5 "1 Corinthians 11:5 - Women and Head Coverings") specifically focusing on women. This section precedes his detailed instructions regarding the proper observance of the Lord's Supper, indicating a sustained emphasis on respectful and orderly worship practices.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan Roman city, a melting pot of diverse cultures and religious practices. In Greco-Roman society, a woman's public appearance, particularly her head covering, was deeply intertwined with her social status, honor, and respectability. For a respectable woman, especially a married one, appearing unveiled in public could be seen as a sign of immodesty, a lack of self-control, or even an indication of prostitution or adultery. Conversely, a shaven head was a severe mark of public disgrace, often imposed as a punishment for adultery or as a sign of deep mourning, signifying extreme shame and dishonor. Paul's instructions, therefore, must be understood within this specific cultural framework, where visual symbols carried immense social weight and could easily lead to misinterpretation or scandal.

* **Key Themes:** The passage in [1 Corinthians 11](/1-corinthians/11 "1 Corinthians 11 - Divine Order and Worship Practices") and specifically [1 Corinthians 11:5](/1-corinthians/11-5 "1 Corinthians 11:5 - Women and Head Coverings") contributes to several overarching themes in the broader book. A primary theme is **Honor and Shame**, a pervasive cultural value in the ancient world, where maintaining one's honor and avoiding public shame was paramount. Paul's assertion that an uncovered head "dishonoureth her head" directly invokes this concept, implying a breach of culturally understood decorum that would bring shame upon the woman and potentially the Christian community. Another crucial theme is **Order and Decorum in Worship**, which Paul consistently emphasizes throughout his letters, particularly in [1 Corinthians 14](/1-corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Worship"), where he calls for all things to be done "decently and in order" ([1 Corinthians 14:40](/1-corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - All Things Done Decently and in Order")). This instruction ensures that Christian worship reflects God's character and does not cause confusion or scandal. Finally, the verse touches upon **Cultural Sensitivity and Witness**, highlighting how the church's practices should be mindful of the surrounding culture to avoid bringing disrepute to the gospel message or creating unnecessary stumbling blocks for believers and non-believers alike.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **kephalḗ (Greek, _kephalē'_):** This word, translated as "head," is central to the verse's meaning and Paul's broader argument in [1 Corinthians 11](/1-corinthians/11 "1 Corinthians 11 - Divine Order and Worship Practices"). It refers not only to the literal physical head but also carries a metaphorical sense of source, origin, or authority. In this verse, "uncovered" refers to the physical head, while "dishonoureth her head" likely plays on both meanings: dishonoring her physical appearance/honor and potentially dishonoring her "head" in the sense of her husband or the male figure in the divine order established in [1 Corinthians 11:3](/1-corinthians/11-3 "1 Corinthians 11:3 - Divine Order of Headship").
* **akatakályptos (Greek, _akatakályptos'_):** Translated as "uncovered," this word literally means "unveiled" or "not covered down." It describes the state of a woman's head lacking the customary covering or veil during public prayer or prophecy. The absence of this covering was culturally significant in Corinth, signaling a departure from accepted norms of modesty and respectability.
* **kataischýnō (Greek, _kataischýnō'_):** This verb, rendered "dishonoureth," means "to shame down, disgrace, or put to the blush." It conveys the severe negative consequence of the woman's action. The use of this strong term underscores the profound cultural offense and social disgrace that an uncovered head would represent, equating it to the ultimate public shame of having one's head shaven.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth":** This clause identifies the specific subjects of the instruction – Christian women – and the particular activities in which they are engaged: public prayer and prophecy. This indicates that women were indeed participating audibly and actively in the spiritual life of the Corinthian church's assemblies.
* **"with [her] head uncovered":** This specifies the problematic action. The "uncovered" state refers to the absence of the customary head covering or veil that was a symbol of modesty and respectability for women in Greco-Roman society, particularly when in public or engaging in formal activities.
* **"dishonoureth her head":** This states the immediate consequence of the action. The dishonor applies both to the woman's physical head (making her appear immodest or disrespectful) and, by extension, to her "head" in the metaphorical sense, which could refer to her husband, the man, or even the divine order of headship established by Paul earlier in the chapter. It implies a public shaming.
* **"for that is even all one as if she were shaven":** This powerful comparison highlights the severity of the dishonor. In the cultural context of Corinth, a shaven head was a universally recognized mark of extreme disgrace, often imposed on women as punishment for grave offenses like adultery or prostitution. By equating an uncovered head with a shaven head, Paul emphasizes the profound cultural offense and the depth of shame it would bring upon the woman and the Christian community's witness.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several **Literary Devices** to convey his message with force and clarity. The most prominent is **Simile**, evident in the phrase "as if she were shaven." This direct comparison vividly illustrates the severity of the dishonor, drawing on a culturally understood symbol of extreme shame to underscore the gravity of appearing unveiled in public worship. Furthermore, Paul utilizes **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche** in his repeated use of "head" (_kephalē_). While initially referring to the physical head that is uncovered, the term quickly expands to represent the woman's honor, her social standing, and even the established divine order of authority (her "head" being man, and ultimately Christ). This dual meaning allows Paul to weave together physical appearance with theological principles. The overall argument also relies on **Rhetorical Analogy**, where Paul draws parallels between the cultural implications of appearance and the spiritual principles of order and honor, urging the Corinthians to consider how their actions reflect on God and the gospel in their specific context.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The instruction in 1 Corinthians 11:5, while culturally specific in its manifestation, is deeply rooted in timeless theological principles concerning order, honor, and the church's witness. It underscores the importance of conducting ourselves in ways that reflect God's design for creation and redemption, avoiding actions that would bring disrepute to the gospel or cause unnecessary offense within a given cultural context. The underlying call is for believers to live and worship in a manner that prioritizes the glory of God, the edification of the body, and the effective proclamation of Christ to a watching world. While the specific form of head coverings may not be universally applied today, the principle of thoughtful decorum and sensitivity to cultural perceptions for the sake of the gospel remains profoundly relevant.

* [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1-corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - All Things Done Decently and in Order")
* [1 Timothy 2:9-10](/1-timothy/2-9-10 "1 Timothy 2:9-10 - Modesty in Dress")
* [Romans 14:19](/romans/14-19 "Romans 14:19 - Pursue Peace and Mutual Edification")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 11:5 presents a fascinating challenge for modern believers: how do we faithfully apply ancient, culturally specific instructions to our contemporary lives? The key lies in discerning the timeless, underlying principles that transcend the particular cultural forms. This verse invites us to reflect on how our actions, appearance, and conduct in corporate worship and public life contribute to or detract from the honor of God and the effective witness of the gospel. It prompts us to consider what "decorum" looks like in our own cultural context, ensuring that our practices do not inadvertently cause scandal, confusion, or division, but rather foster an atmosphere of reverence, unity, and respect. Ultimately, the passage calls for a thoughtful and humble engagement with our cultural surroundings, always seeking to honor God and build up the body of Christ, even if it means adjusting our preferences for the sake of a greater good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we discern timeless biblical principles from their specific cultural expressions, as exemplified in 1 Corinthians 11:5?**
* **What are contemporary "cultural coverings" or forms of decorum that communicate respect for God, others, and the sanctity of worship in our specific contexts?**
* **In what ways might our appearance or behavior in public worship inadvertently hinder the gospel message or cause disunity within our community today?**

### FAQ
**Does 1 Corinthians 11:5 mandate head coverings for women in all churches today?**

Answer: This verse is one of the most debated passages in the New Testament regarding its contemporary application. While some Christian traditions interpret it as a timeless command for women to wear head coverings in worship, many scholars and traditions view the specific instruction regarding head coverings as culturally conditioned. Paul's reasoning heavily relies on the cultural understanding of honor and shame in first-century Corinth, where an uncovered head was a public sign of disrespect or immodesty, akin to having one's head shaven. The underlying principles of the passage—maintaining order, avoiding scandal, honoring God, and respecting the cultural context for the sake of the gospel—are timeless. Therefore, many churches today focus on applying these principles by encouraging modesty, decorum, and actions that do not cause offense or confusion within their own cultural settings, rather than enforcing a literal head covering.

**What does Paul mean by "dishonoureth her head" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "dishonoureth her head" carries a rich double meaning, playing on the Greek word _kephalē_ (head). Firstly, it refers to the woman's physical head; by appearing uncovered, she dishonors her own person in a way that was culturally perceived as shameful or immodest in Corinth. Secondly, and more profoundly, it refers to her "head" in the metaphorical sense, which, according to Paul's preceding argument in [1 Corinthians 11:3](/1-corinthians/11-3 "1 Corinthians 11:3 - Divine Order of Headship"), is man (and ultimately Christ). Thus, appearing uncovered could be seen as a dishonor to the established divine order of headship, or to her husband, or even to the community's reputation. The comparison to a shaven head emphasizes the depth of this dishonor, as a shaven head was a public mark of extreme disgrace in that society.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Corinthians 11:5 addresses a specific cultural practice, its underlying principles find their ultimate fulfillment and illumination in Christ. Jesus Christ is the perfect embodiment of divine order and submission, demonstrating complete obedience to God the Father, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - The Humility of Christ")). He is the true "head" of all creation and, more specifically, the head of the church, His body ([Ephesians 1:22](/ephesians/1-22 "Ephesians 1:22 - Christ as Head of the Church"); [Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ as Head of the Body")). Therefore, the call for order, honor, and decorum in worship, as seen in this verse, ultimately points to the church's identity as the bride of Christ, called to reflect His glory and character in all things. Our actions in worship, including our appearance, should always be aimed at honoring Him and building up His body, ensuring that nothing detracts from the purity of the gospel message or brings disrepute to His holy name. The emphasis on avoiding "dishonor" in the Corinthian context can be seen as a shadow of the ultimate honor we are called to bring to Christ, who has covered us with His righteousness ([Isaiah 61:10](/isaiah/61-10 "Isaiah 61:10 - Garments of Salvation")) and calls us to live in a manner worthy of His calling ([Ephesians 4:1](/ephesians/4-1 "Ephesians 4:1 - Live Worthy of Your Calling")).

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

Deuteronomy 21:12

Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;

Luke 2:36

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

Acts 2:17

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

1 Corinthians 14:34

¶ Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

Acts 21:9

And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.