Head covering as in the Book of Corinthians

Head Covering1 Cor. 11:1-16.1 Cor. 11:1-16.

[Worship Ministries].

[Thulasizwe Khumalo].

04/10/23 Worship Ministries 2

Introduction

Please read 1Cor. 6:12,20compare it with 1 Cor. 7:1,8,25,;

1Cor. 8:1; 11:3.What do you notice in these

verses?How does Paul move from one

topic to another?NIV: “NOW…”NOW…” see also KJV


The Problem:

Discover everybody’s problem in 1Cor. 8:1-2.– Is this what Peter talks about in 2Pet.

3:16?

As for 1Cor. 11:1-16, what is everybody’s problem– We read tradition into this text.– Express our views and not the Bible’s

as far as this text.


Attention Areas.

Dr. Peter H.L. Wee lists “reasons” against and for head covering, here are a few:– Ancient custom: “The passage applied only

to the Corinthian women of Paul's day.” – Nature of head covering: “The head

covering was a veil, completely hiding the face as well as the head, even the whole body.” It IS NOT A HAT or any such equivalence.


Attention Areas.

– Individual conviction: “This is a personal matter between the sisters of the assembly and the Lord.”

– Paul's apparent contradictory statements: “It seems superfluous and Paul's statements appear contradictory.”

– The question of female subjugation or subjection: “This takes two forms:


Attention Areas.

• (b) The apparent implication of male superiority and domination, and women's subjugation to men, all men, is abhorrent and appalling to many women, and rightly so, and in the Church of God this notion is to be shunned.”

• (a) The passage must refer to married women only, as only married sisters are to be subject to their husbands. Unmarried sisters, therefore, need not wear head coverings.


Attention Areas.

Even those who do it, do it for a wrong reason:– Uncovering the head is breaking god’s

commands.– This is a church order.– It is married women’s wifely subjection to

their husbands, etc.– I did not prepare/wash/comb my hair.


Exegesis NOTNOT Eisegesis

Admonition: 1Cor. 11:1.• Gr. mimeµtai, “imitators.” Our word “mimics” comes

from this Greek word. “Mimic me “Mimic me AS IAS I mimic Christ” mimic Christ”– Nichol, Francis D., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary, (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association) 1978.

• Although they were somewhat slow in following the self-denying and conciliatory behavior of the apostle, the Corinthians were, nevertheless, generally careful the Corinthians were, nevertheless, generally careful to observe to observe the rules of Christian conductthe rules of Christian conduct that they that they had been taughthad been taught. [NOT TRADITIONS].

– Nichol, Francis D., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association) 1978.


Exegesis NOTNOT Eisegesis

Commendation: Verse 2– What are Corinthians commended for?

• Remembering him in EVERYTHING.• Holding to the teachings “passed” on to them. • Ordinances. Gr. paradoseis, “rules,” “principles,”

“instructions,” elsewhere translated “traditions” (Gal. 1:14), or, in the singular, “tradition” (Matt. 15:2; etc.). The word means literally, “things handed over.” “things handed over.” Not Not Traditions as RSV puts it.Traditions as RSV puts it.

– Nichol, Francis D., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association) 1978.


Exegesis NOTNOT Eisegesis.

New Teaching/Ordinance: Verse 3.– He did not preach the gospel to them

and then leave them to formulate their own rules of church order and social life.

• Nichol, Francis D., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association) 1978.

– To understand this new principle, look at the following hierarchical order:


Verse 3 Continued

GOD

CHRIST

MAN/MALE

WOMAN/FEMALE

GOD

HUMANKIND

ANGELS

OTHER CREATURESANIMALS & PLANTS

Psalm 8:5 RSV; NIV (note “r”)


Hierachy Explained.Man. Gr. aneµr, “man” as distinguished from man” as distinguished from

“woman”.“woman”. Three degrees of submission are here introduced. [1]The man is to acknowledge Christ as his Lord and Master; [2]the woman, while recognizing the supremacy of Christ as Lord over all, is required to acknowledge that in domestic life she is placed under the guidance and protection of man; [3]Christ, although equal with the Father (see Additional Note on John 1), is represented as recognizing God as head.– Nichol, Francis D., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary, (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association) 1978.

Note that marital status is not introduced here!


Costs: Verse 4DISHONOR (Refuse to Accept) {verb}:

– When a man prays with his head covered: • Christ is DISHONORED (Man refuses to accept Christ as

Lord to him)!– Pathfinder boys taught to uncover when praying – TO

HONOUR CHRIST!Remember the admonition (verse 1)

– Follow my example AS I follow Christ’s!– This has more to do with who CHRIST is to that to that

individualindividual than what the church or culture/tradition teaches.

– 1T304 “We may deny Christ in our life by indulging love of ease or love of self, by jesting and joking, and by seeking the honor of the world. We may deny Him in our outward appearance by conformity to the world, by a proud look or costly apparel.


The Cost Cont. Verse 5Women dishonoring men:

– Women are equal to men (WIM)• For this to be true, the CHURCH must be equal to

CHRIST.CHRIST.• Christ DID NOT claim equality with God, though equal!• Women cut their hair = NOT A WOMAN!Women cut their hair = NOT A WOMAN!

– “It is possible that the Corinthian women argued that in their discharge of spiritual functions such as prayer and prophesying they should appear uncovered as did the men (1 Cor. 11:4). Some may have also reasoned that the liberty of the gospel (see Gal. 3:28) set aside the obligation to observe various marks of distinction between the sexes. Paul exposed the falsity of their Paul exposed the falsity of their reasoning.reasoning.” SDA BIBLE COMMENTARY


The Cost Cont. Verse 5.

– The meaning seems to be, “she might as well be shorn.” In other words, if a if a woman wanted to act like a man, she woman wanted to act like a man, she ought, in order to be consistent, to cut ought, in order to be consistent, to cut her hair after the fashion of menher hair after the fashion of men.• The Seventh-day Adventist Bible The Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary.Commentary.

– Length of the hair not in question Length of the hair not in question here!here!


The Cost Cont. Verse 5.

Men dishonoring themselves & their Men dishonoring themselves & their head:head:– Men wearing LONG HAIR STYLES.Men wearing LONG HAIR STYLES.– Men wearing dreadlocks like women!Men wearing dreadlocks like women!

Please find other ways by which men Please find other ways by which men dishonor christ their head.dishonor christ their head.


Her Head (Verse 5 Continued).

No marital status discussed so far!– Any inferred marital status =

eisegesis.– Had and has nothing to do with

“inferiority” status!Fashion now dictates short hair for

women.– Results – catastrophic! (No wonder

most women now have lost hair). Amos 8:10.


Verse 6.

Does not imply – OK 2 serve b4 god if shaved!

Does not say: if your hair is long, then do not cover it!– Does not say anything about culture– Says nothing about race either!

Does not comment about hairstyle: – Braiding not here – 1 tim. 2:9– No plaiting of hair here – 1 pet. 3:3


“GLORY” verse 7

What does “Glory” here imply?– Again we depend on the work by Dr.

Peter H.L. Wee, here, to gether with our lexicons.

– Let us visit http://www.web.singnet.com.sg/~syeec/headcover.html#Glory of God.

– Here special meanings of this term:


“Glory” continued

Doxa means "brightness, splendour, radiance, magnificence, fame, renown and honour", but "glory" is the word best used for it.

It occurs in 1 Cor 2:7, 8; 6:20; 10:31; 11:7,1511:7,15; 15:40,41,43.

The second word translated "glory" actually means "self-glory" or "boastfulness".


“Glory” Continued

The word is kauchaomai meaning "I glory" or "I boast". It occurs in 1 Cor 1:29, 31; 3:21; 4:7; 5:6; 9:15,16.

“… image & GloryGlory of God;” “… the gloryglory of man”; “…her glory”. V15

Please find meaning to this.Clue is in verses 8&9, see also

Mark 2:27.


The Purpose

Identity Crisis:– Women want to be like men, therefore

• They blame it on tradition.

– Men sold out their God-given position, accept any feminist theories.

“For THISTHIS reason…”, which one?– “Glory” reason as explained above.– Since even the lower ranked creatures,

do it, so should our women.


Evaluation.

Judge for yourself:– Come to a logical conclusion.

– If this is worth consideration.

Is your hair-style more important?– Would you rather risk dishonouring God than

covering your head?– Did anything discussed so far make any sense?

What is important, your appearance or the presence? (Same applies for men).


Conclusion.Long hair = her covering.

– Who has covered, God or woman?– This is discussed in the previous verse (does not

nature…).– Glory is not equated with covering.

Long hair distinguishes her as a WOMAN / FEMALE.– All along paul has not been building to the thought

of no need of covering.– Refer to verse 6 on the slides.

Remember: she is NOT represented in the presence, BUT is IN THE PRESENCE.


The Famous ReasonsHow about Ellen White?

– Should not imitate the world! 1T188b.– “I was shown that the people of God should not

imitate the fashions of the world. Some have done this, and are fast losing the peculiar, holy character which should distinguish them as God's people. I was pointed back to God's ancient people, and was led to compare their apparel with the mode of dress in these last days. What a difference! what a change! Then the women were not so bold as now. When they went in public, they covered their faces with a veil. In these last days, fashions are shameful and immodest. They are noticed in prophecy. 1T.188.003


The Famous Reasons

Should be a marked difference… 1T189– “The small bonnets, exposing the face

and head, show a lack of modesty. The hoops are a shame. The inhabitants of earth are growing more and more corrupt, and the line of distinction between them and the Israel of God must be more plain, or the curse which falls upon world-lings will fall on God's professed people.”


The Famous Reasons.

– Also a type of the hats[bonnets] (available at that time) 1T189m.

– EG White questioned about this: 1T275a.

• “I have frequently received letters of inquiry in regard to dress, and some have not rightly understood what I have written.”


The Famous Reasons

– In disreguard for the Sabbath: 1T275b.• “All who have any regard for the Sabbath should

be cleanly in person, neat and orderly in dress; for they are to appear before the jealous God, who is offended at uncleanliness and disorder, and who marks every token of disrespect.”

– Your dress should tell FOR GOD 1T132m.; 133b-134t.

• “Many dress like the world, to have an influence. But here they make a sad and fatal mistake...I saw that the words, the dress, and actions should tell for God.”


E.G. White Experience.At her convesion 1T20-21.

– “The same day a sister and myself were taken into the church. I felt happy, till I looked at the sister by my side, and saw gold rings on her fingers, and large gold ear-rings in her ears. Her bonnet was filled with artificial flowers, and was trimmed with costly ribbon, which was filled with bows upon her bonnet. My heart felt sad. I expected every moment that a reproof would come from the minister; but none came. He took us both into the church…”

It was her custorm. 1T94-95; 251; LS153.– “… The first car bell was ringing, as I put on my bonnetas I put on my bonnet. I

looked out of the window,…” At her time, they didn’t debate whether or not

but kinds. 1T145a.– “…a dress, a bonnet, an apron, takes their attention;

they must talk with this one, …”


EG. White experience.

Never prayed without: 2SG189.– “…I did not as usual, when traveling in

the night, lay off my bonnet,…”We need to close this subject once

& for all: RH 1888-03, p11.– “…Are they glorying in the cross of

Christ? No; they are talking of this fashion, that bonnet, that dress,…”

She DID NOTDID NOT disregard 1Cor. 11:1-16. WHY DO OUR GENERATION??

Head covering as in the Book of Corinthians

Spiritual

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