This morning I was not expecting to be looking into God’s Word at a controversial topic, but as always, God has a plan for everything in our lives and it is played out this morning in my study.
“7For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.” – 1 Corinthians 11:7 (ESV)
This verse by itself may not seem that controversial and that is a good thing, if you are only looking at the one verse. The passage of verses 1-16 though may be if you are not prepared for it. The passage is speaking of head coverings of men and women. The basics of the passage are that women should have their heads covered and men should not. The controversy is in what is considered equality of men and women. If we are equal, why are there different rules for the different genders. Well, it is complicated, but simple.
First, I want to remind that I am not a biblical scholar, only an ordinary man trying to live my purpose. When you look at the verse and passage, Paul is speaking of the relationship of man to God and woman to man. Verse seven states that man is the “image and glory of God”. I see here that when I look on to man I should see the glory of God shone on them. I also have to remember that in the eyes of God, man and woman are not independent of one another as stated here in verses 11 and 12.
“11Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.” – 1 Corinthians 11:11-12 (ESV)
Now comes the controversial part.
“3But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and head of Christ is God. 4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.” – 1 Corinthians 11:3-5 (ESV)
If we are the same in the eyes of God, why are there different approaches to the worshiping of Him. Why would men be disgraceful with covering and women disgraceful without? Well that comes back to verse seven and who you are the glory of, God or man.
Here is my take. Women are by creation, beautiful. So much so that they are a distraction and can be a stumbling block to others. In Romans Paul writes that we should not do that which may cause others to stumble.
“21It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.” – Romans 14:21 (ESV)
Now this may not be exactly what Paul is referring to with the head coverings, but I can certainly apply it to my study and understanding. Women should have their head covered to bring glory to God and not cause others to be distracted from bringing glory to God either. Women can and should be fully open to their husbands, as they are the glory of them and men should be lifting them up and placing them in the place of glory that they represent.
There is no need for men to cover their heads in worship as it may be considered disgraceful as noted in the comment from my ESV Bible for verse 4, “Roman men sometimes practiced the custom of pulling the loose fold of their toga over their head as an act of piety in the worship of pagan gods.” We are to place ourselves in the position of glory of God that we are in and in the position of worship, we again should do nothing that would cause someone to stumble.
I certainly did not take on this subject to generate any controversy, I was only led here in obedience to God and the study of His Word. We are all equal in God’s eyes, and are in this world to be an example for Him. We are to be “the image and glory of God” in all that we do.
When you are thinking of your relationship to God, where do you see yourself? Are you doing anything that might cause others to stumble? What if we were to be the glory of God as children of Him?
Trevor's Thoughts 