Aug20 Written by:Nathan Williams
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
There are few other chapters in Scripture under as much controversy as 1 Corinthians 11. You would think there are only two positions: 1) women must wear the head covering and men must not or 2) women and men are under no such law today. The funny thing is, there is a multitude of viewpoints as to why brethren DON'T have to wear the head covering today. Most women today don't wear one, but they have all kinds of different reasons for not wearing it. Of the women who DO wear one, they have different reasons for wearing it and different ideas of just when they should wear it.
Because of all the controversy and different opinions, I fear many simply skirt the issue thinking it's just too complicated. Some studied it years ago and believe they came to the correct understanding and so they will continue in their chosen path.
I challenge us all to continue to study this passage carefully. I'm talking to both men and women. This passage does not just affect women. If this passage is applicable to us today, then men should not wear hats when they pray. If it is not applicable, then I see no reason why a man SHOULDN'T wear a hat today while he prays (unless it's our current society's version of paying respect). This is the only passage in Scripture that addresses wearing or not wearing something on our heads.
1. It's in the Bible, so it must be studied. Whether we like it or not, God saw fit to give us 15 verses dealing with this subject (1 Cor. 11:2-16).
2. Paul makes great arguments for the use of the head covering. He argues based on the headship of Christ who is head of man who is head of the woman (11:3-9). He argues women should wear a covering "because of the angels" (11:10). He argues that nature backs his argument (11:14-15).
3. This was the practice of ALL the churches. This was a tradition Paul handed down (11:1), and he always taught the same thing in every church (11:16 - see also 4:17; 7:17; 16:1).
This goes for ANY subject in the Bible: if you are interested in studying more about this, let me know and we'll get together.
God bless you in your studies of His Word,
Nathan
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