Does a Woman Dishonor Her Head? What Kind of Dishonor Is This? (1 Corinthians 11:5)

In 1 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul discusses the relationship between men, women, and their roles within the church. Let’s break it down with careful theological insights from the Bible.

1 Corinthians 11:3 Paul begins by establishing a foundational order in the created roles:
“But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” (NKJV)

Here, Paul explains that Christ is the head of every man, man is the head of woman, and God is the head of Christ. This shows a hierarchical structure where Christ leads man, man leads woman, and God leads Christ. It’s important to note that the idea of “head” here refers to authority or leadership, not physical headship. In theological terms, this is about divine order and the authority that each role represents.

Dishonoring the Head: 1 Corinthians 11:4-5

In verses 4-5, Paul elaborates on what it means to “dishonor” one’s head:

 4: “Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.”

5: “But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head; for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.” (NKJV)

Here, Paul addresses the practice of head covering in worship. For a man, covering the head while praying or prophesying dishonors Christ, his head, because it signifies that he is not fulfilling his role as Christ’s representative in the church. For a woman, uncovering her head while praying or prophesying dishonors her head, which refers to her husband or, more broadly, male leadership within the church. Theological commentators note that this reflects the woman’s role as a symbol of submission to the authority placed over her by God, represented by male leadership.

The “shaving” metaphor in verse 5 points to shameful acts in biblical times. A woman with a shaved head would have been considered to be in a dishonorable or disgraceful state. This highlights how important the covering is, not merely as a cultural tradition, but as an act of spiritual submission.

The Significance of Leadership:

The head being dishonored in this passage refers to the leadership structure established by God in the church. Theologically, when a woman does not cover her head, it symbolizes a rejection of the leadership authority of men in the church. This leadership is specifically linked to the five-fold ministries mentioned in Ephesians 4:11, which are ministries meant for men:

• Apostles
• Prophets
• Evangelists
• Pastors
• Teachers

In 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-12, Paul clearly emphasizes that women should not take authoritative roles over men in the church (i.e., women should not serve as pastors, elders, or teachers of men). These passages align with Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 11 that the woman’s head covering is a sign of submission to God’s authority structure.

Dishonoring Christ:

When a woman refuses to cover her head, she is not only dishonoring the male leadership but also indirectly dishonoring Christ. In 1 Corinthians 11:3, we see that the head of every man is Christ. Therefore, dishonoring the leadership placed by Christ is akin to dishonoring Christ Himself.

1 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV): “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”

This establishes that the head of man is Christ, and the leadership Christ provides through men is what a woman is expected to honor. Therefore, her act of covering her head is a sign of recognizing and submitting to God’s divine order, which is reflected in male leadership within the church.

The Role of Men: 1 Corinthians 11:7

Now, the question arises: Should men also cover their heads to avoid dishonoring Christ?
The answer is no. Theologically, the man, being the image of God, is called to represent God’s glory.

1 Corinthians 11:7 (NKJV): “For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.”

 this means that men reflect the glory of God, as they are made in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Therefore, men are not to cover their heads in worship because they are to display God’s glory openly. In contrast, a woman is the glory of man, as she was created from man (Genesis 2:21-23) and is a reflection of the partnership between man and woman in God’s creation.

Because the man is a direct representative of God’s glory, he does not need to cover his head while praying or prophesying. However, the woman, by virtue of her created role, acknowledges her dependence on man and submits to his leadership.

Conclusion: Why Women Should Cover Their Heads

The Bible teaches that women should cover their heads during worship as a sign of submission to God’s ordained leadership structure in the church. This act of covering is not merely cultural; it is theological, symbolizing that a woman recognizes her role under male leadership as designed by God. The theological underpinning is the creation order, where man represents God’s glory, and woman reflects man’s glory (1 Corinthians 11:7).

In a broader sense, this is a sign of the woman’s willingness to accept God’s order and her submission to the leadership He has established in the church.

A Warning Against Controversy: 1 Corinthians 11:16

Paul closes this section with a warning:

1 Corinthians 11:16 (NKJV): “But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.”

This implies that if anyone is contentious or rejects this teaching, it is not a matter of personal opinion or human tradition, but a matter of divine order. The early churches had a consistent practice of this teaching, and rejecting it would be to go against God’s established authority.

Final Thoughts
If you are a woman, whether a mother or sister in Christ, it’s important to follow this biblical instruction. It’s not a matter of human tradition or a law of the Old Testament but a command of the Lord found in the New Testament. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, foresaw that there would be controversies in the last days regarding this matter. We are called to follow God’s instructions in His Word, recognizing that they come from His divine wisdom and order.

May the Lord help us to understand and honor His commands in our lives.

Print this post