1 Corinthians 11:5

Context

This verse belongs to 11:2-16 of 1 Corinthians, the letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. The passage addresses how men and women should treat their heads in communal worship. The preceding verse 3 uses the word "head" to describe an order of relationships: "the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man." In verse 5, which parallels verse 4 concerning men, Paul compares a woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered to one who is shaven: "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." The passage is followed by a rebuke of disorder at the Lord's Supper gatherings (11:17-34).

Interpretation

• Cultural, principle-based reading: This view holds that in the Greco-Roman society of the time, a woman's head covering signified modesty and the dignity of a married woman. On this reading, what Paul required was not the covering itself but order and propriety in worship, and only the underlying principle need be carried forward today. Most Korean Protestant denominations understand the passage this way.
• Literal, perpetual reading: Because Paul grounds his argument in the order of creation (11:8-9) and appeals to "because of the angels" (11:10), this view holds that the instruction remains binding in every age. Some communities in the Anabaptist tradition and some Brethren churches continue the practice of women covering their heads during worship.
• Long-hair reading: Some interpreters, citing verse 15, "for her hair is given her for a covering," hold that the "covering" in view is not a cloth but long hair.

Interpreters are also divided over whether "her head" refers to the woman's own head, to her husband (the man) in light of verse 3, or to both.

Debates and Issues

This verse presupposes a situation in which women pray or prophesy in public worship. How to reconcile it with 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, "Let your women keep silence in the churches," has therefore long been debated. Supporters of women's ordination cite 11:5 as evidence of women's public ministry. Opponents appeal to the headship order of verse 3 together with 1 Timothy 2:13-15, holding that certain limits apply to women's ministry. Whether "head" in verse 3 (Greek kephalē) means authority or source is also bound up with this debate. It is sometimes noted, in addition, that 14:34-35 appears in a different position in some manuscripts.

In the Korean Church

In most Korean Protestant churches, women do not wear head coverings during worship. Because this contrasts with the custom in Korean Catholicism of women wearing a chapel veil at Mass, questions about this verse frequently arise. Since denominations have reached different decisions on women's ordination, the verse is also often cited in discussions of women's ministry.

Related Passages

• 1 Corinthians 11:3
• 1 Corinthians 11:11-12
• 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
• Acts 21:9
• 1 Timothy 2:13-15