What does the Bible say about covering of hair during worship and uncovering of hair by men?

by Nenwarngdung Jibarang

Text: 1 Cor. 11:2-16

INTRODUCTION

Worship is our attitude, action and lifestyle towards God. We actually praise God for what He has done or given to us, but we worship Him for who He is, and when we worship God, it shows our love for Him.

                Here we will be discussing on an aspect of worship that was an issue in the early church and is still an issue now in our generation, but Apostle Paul addressed this issue and ensured that there was no more conflict on the rules of the worship. The issue of women covering their hair during worship was an issue because of cultural differences that existed in the early church, but by the grace of God, we will be able to know why it is important for us to worship God even by covering our hairs as ‘Women’.

“THE VEILING OF WOMEN”, WHY IS IT NECESSARY?

The hair (long hair) on a woman is her beauty and glory given her by God, but it is necessary for her to cover it during worship because it is a sign of authority and subjection to her head. Vs. 3-10, talks about the order of authority from God to woman. This verse tells us that the man is the head of the woman, as Christ is the head of man and God is the head of Christ. Note Christ is not inferior to God because he is God, but He chose to be subordinate and submit as Son in order to accomplish God’s purpose. So women need to wear veils as a sign of respect for their head and also to show their dignity and integrity. This is not restricted to married woman because even young women are under the authorities of their parents and still have a duty to show their respect.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS ACT

Physically, a woman is meant to be there for her husband and cover him up because he is her head and she is his glory. Her respect for him, being by him is an act of worship to God. The man needs to know that he has a helper and companion who would cover up his back from the rest of the world.

Spiritually, she is still under authority and must show it, also her hair is her glory and was given to her to cover it. Another reason is because of the angels, they want our salvation and therefore want decorum in our worships to be able to know men from women and also not to be tempted by women. Women should also reverence God, by veiling themselves.

                Since Christ is the head of the man and he is then light of the world, man must not cover his head because by so doing, he is diming the light and covering the cover of his head. So Christ covers us all and we are His glory, therefore the man ought not to cover his glory but the woman have to cover her glory.

                God gave women long hair to beautify them and for man’s appeal, so it is not nice or pretty for a woman to be on haircut, except it is for some other reasons especially related to health. You know the other aspect of covering has to do with women being able to control themselves and mouths to protect their authorities.

               

CONCLUSION

God actually created man for his glory and for man to worship Him and we have no excuse whatsoever to ignore his wor4d, because all scriptures were inspired by him to guide and direct man on how to worship him.

                So this discussion and the passage used is to help us understand that what apostle Paul meant is that believers should look and behave in ways that are honorable within their culture, but most importantly honorable to God our creator and source of our existence, and so we ought to have appearances that would win souls for God and not detract people from Him.