A Modern Woman and the Headcovering

I was brought to faith in a tradition that often said:

  • Speak where the bible speaks
  • Be silent where the bible is silent
  • Do bible things in a bible way
  • We read the bible and just do it

I heard preaching that warned of excluding pieces of the bible that seemed inconvenient to a certain agenda or doctrine. The claim was made, if you see anything that you don’t find in accordance to God’s word, you’d be our friend to show us.

I soon learned that friendship extended to just about every bible passage except the first half of 1 Corinthians 11- the head covering.

I heard every excuse that could be reasonably contrived out of the text to not wear one. The only passages that I’ve seen people work harder to explain away are ones that tell us to fast. Mess with people’s food and they will bite!

Well, in my zeal and unskilled handling of the Word of God, I too became a contriver. I studied 1 Cor. 11:1-16 over and over to prove to the cavemen why a modern woman like myself wouldn’t have to wear a stupid doily on my head. I mocked women who became personally convicted and started wearing one. I rolled my eyes at the homeschool moms who readily covered their heads with their neatly stowed veils that were tucked away in their bible covers.

That was me.

I was a fool.

If you ever study the Words of Life looking for reasons you DON’T have to obey it, you are a fool too.

Despite my brash tactics, my Father was patient with me. He led me to the pages of his book, to his message to me, and asked me to not just open the cover but open my heart. He asked me to lay down my preconceived ideas and my pride and just listen.

After fifteen years of claiming Christ and finding my identity in being a hearer and doer of the Word, I found myself convicted that I was missing something. I read the words with honesty and a willingness to obey.

In my journey with the head covering I think that was the number one victorious moment.  God needed me to stop defending the don’ts and start embracing the things that bring him glory.

I still wasn’t sure if I was going to put one of those things on. I mean, what would other people think? I was sort of self-conscious to start something so radical. Should I tell people? Should I act like its part of my outfit? How would I even do that?

My journey continued.

I started reading with the understanding that God doesn’t write in secret code, well except for maybe the last book, but that’s another story. God tends to say what he means and mean what he says. I started reading with understanding that his word is truth, pure and always  purposeful. What was in this text that was purposed for me?

I read. I read different translations. I read articles. I read commentaries. I read dictionaries. And then I just read the bible again.

I praise you because you remember me in all things. You follow closely the teachings I gave you. But I want you to understand this: The head of every man is Christ. And the head of a woman is the man. And the head of Christ is God.

Every man who prophesies or prays with his head covered brings shame to his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies should have her head covered. If her head is not covered, she brings shame to her head. Then she is the same as a woman who has her head shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, it is the same as cutting off all her hair. But it is shameful for a woman to cut off her hair or to shave her head. So she should cover her head.

But a man should not cover his head, because he is made like God and is God’s glory. But woman is man’s glory. Man did not come from woman. Woman came from man. And man was not made for woman. Woman was made for man. So that is why a woman should have her head covered with something that shows she is under authority. Also, she should do this because of the angels.

But in the Lord the woman needs the man, and the man needs the woman. This is true because woman came from man, but also man is born from woman. Really, everything comes from God.

Decide this for yourselves: Is it right for a woman to pray to God without something on her head? Even nature itself teaches you that wearing long hair is shameful for a man. But wearing long hair is a woman’s honor. Long hair is given to the woman to cover her head. Some people may still want to argue about this. But we and the churches of God don’t accept what those people are doing. (1 Cor. 11:1-16 ERV)

Round 1- here’s what I learned:

I am glory.

I am purposed glory. I am glory purposed for man.

It is shameful for me to have my head uncovered. 

If I am not going to be open to the head covering, I might as well shave off all my hair.

Long hair glorifies God.

I had always had short hair. I thought as long as I looked feminine I was OK. But these passages say that “wearing long hair is a woman’s honor.”

The journey continued. I started facing my opposition to the covering point by point.

1. It was only for women who had spiritual gifts.

Joel 2:28 says that a future was coming when sons and daughters would prophesy. Clearly in the New Testament church women were prophesying (Acts 21).  I’m not prophesying so I don’t have to cover.

OK, I admit, I am no Greek scholar, but I can flip through a bible dictionary with the best of them, and a concordance too. The word for pray in this text is proseuchomenos which means literally, to interact with the Lord by switching human wishes for His wishes as He imparts faith (Strongs 4336). The term is used for what we would traditionally think of prayer, like talking to God.

But, prayer throughout the Bible often represents worship in its entirety. Jesus said his house would be called a house of prayer.  And the same word origin, as used in vs. 4-5, is used in Acts 16:13, to describe where Paul would find Lydia,  a place of prayer. Both of those places of prayer were actually places where people gathered to worship.

I am now part of the household of God and I gather at a place of prayer to worship him. So just as Lydia did not have supernatural spiritual gifts, the praying in 1 Cor. 11 doesn’t necessitate spiritual gifts.

2. It was cultural. 

Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. vs. 10.

I’m also am not on a first name basis with any angels. But I what I do know of them, they do not care about the culture of men on earth. They are doing crazy spiritual things like being part of the innumerable hosts, worshiping the All-mighty and ministering to saints. So “because of the angels” pretty much dismissed my cultural argument against it in about half a sentence.

3. My hair was covering enough. 

I decided to grow my hair out while I was on this journey. But I wasn’t convinced that was it. The text does say “her hair is given to her for a covering” (vs 10). But the context of that sentence is creation. He goes back to Eden. He is talking about nature and the origin of man and woman (vs 12, 14). The head covering in the beginning of the chapter is not talking about out in nature, it is talking about the assemblies when you are praying and prophesying.

Also, for me to be fair to the written words, I had to acknowledge that the woman who is praying with her head uncovered is distinguished from a woman whose hair is short.

In verses 5-6 he basically says, if you don’t cover your head you are the same as a woman who shaves her head. And if you don’t cover your head you might as well cut off your hair, which is disgraceful. The covering, grammatically, can’t be hair.

The Greek word for uncovered is akatakaluptos,  which means unveiled (Strongs 177). I had to simply conclude that the head covering is an actual veil not hair.

4. Older women I look up to aren’t wearing one. 

catacombs1

I didn’t find my answer for this one in the scripture but in history. The women around me might not be wearing a head covering, but that was a 19th century phenomenon not a biblical one. David Bercot shows the history of the head covering through the centuries. Click here to see for yourself. 

The dismissal of the head covering happened in stages. Those stages happen coincide with the women’s rights movement of the 1800’s and the women’s liberation movement of the 1960’s.

SO…

I had to ask myself the final question, the most important question. Am I will to buck that movement? Am I willing to submit to the hierarchy of the Creator’s design? Am I willing to stop warring with myself and the men around me over who gets to talk and when we get to do it?

I remembered a conversation that Jesus had with two apostles and their mother. Mrs. Zebedee, in Mt. 20:20, was wanting her boys to get center stage in the Jesus show. Those boys were struggling with same thing I was- surrender to others. Jesus told them that the first shall be last.  Ugh. Gut check time. The position I should be striving for isn’t the place of preeminence but of humble service. That is what will get me exalted (Mt. 23:12).

Ultimately, am I willing to accept submission to man as my head thus glorifying Christ as his head and God as Christ’s head?

headcovering1I was willing. And so seven years ago I began to cover my head during the assembling of the Christians to honor man as my head, to glorify Jesus as the Christ and the Father as Supreme over all. I cover my head as a testimony to God’s hierarchy. I cover my head to demonstrate my conviction that I believe in the creation of Eve as a helper for man. I cover my head for angels, my husband and my God.

If you are interested in deeper study into this topic, the most truthful and well-researched information I found  is Paul Williams book, available free online here. 

Everyone should be sure about their beliefs in their own mind…  So each of us will have to explain to God about the things we do. Rom. 14

You may want to check out The Head Covering Movement. It is a helpful site to deal with the “how-to’s” of the covering.

Serena
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Comments: 80
  1. Brooke
    6 years ago

    So, in your study, have you found that women only wore coverings in public settings? I’ve also read an article that described how men. (Jewish men, maybe?) wore head coverings at some point in history– i hesitate to bring it up because I don’t remember the full context, but no matter what has happened in history, I commend you for wearing an open symbol of submission to your husband and to your Lord. I definitely don’t find fault with it, even if I don ‘t practice it.

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    • 6 years ago

      Jewish men did, and some still do, cover themselves. I haven’t really studied that aspect of it. Maybe that’s my next study.

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  2. Carla
    6 years ago

    Thank you! Beautiful story of your journey to covering. Makes me think of my own resistance to it (and God’s Word) at first too. I still struggle at times because I am the only one in our church family that does. Thank you for your courage and encouragement!! 🙂

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    • 6 years ago

      I didn’t address this in the post, but think our hesitation comes from a lot of the jokes and snide comments that come from other Christians who mock this passage and those who practice it. Its my hope that even those who come to a personal conviction that allows them to go uncovered, will honor those in Christ who are convicted to cover.

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      • 6 years ago

        The Jewish tradition seems to be Pharisaical/Rabbinical. There was no commandment in the OT. Regardless, the NT admonition says they shouldn’t cover their heads. This is even culturally accurate today in 2014. No one thinks anything of asking men to take of their hats in the assembly or during the National Anthem or any of a host of other events, and I believe that cultural tradition is drawn exactly from this verse. Yet we won’t apply the other half… why? I say that to women individually, for what it’s worth. I don’t think it’s helpful to have churches decide this for people or to try to ram it down people’s throats. I know that was done in some parts of the country in the past, and I think the rather significant backlash since the 70s or so has been connected to that.

        Also, for what it’s worth, Paul’s words though applicable to all of us were written to Gentiles who would NOT have had the Pharisaic/Rabbinic tradition of men covering their heads anyway, so he wouldn’t have needed to comment on it.

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        • 6 years ago

          Great comment. And I def believe that this is a personal study issue not a church dictate issue. Great point!

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  3. Amy
    6 years ago

    What if your husband tells you not to wear a head covering?

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    • 6 years ago

      My belief would be, he is not in subjection to Christ.

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    • 6 years ago

      If you feel convicted, keep praying for him and asking about it. I know few men who are or would be opposed to it if their wives wanted to do it, but it’s possible…

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    • 6 years ago

      Something else I have been thinking about in regards to your question is this- my husband was pretty ambivalent in this whole thing. He grew up in churches that got hostile during this conversation so he avoided pretty much. But now that I cover myself regularly, he said he immediately feels empowered to lead me because I have willingly place myself under his protection. What man wouldn’t love that?

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    • Victoria
      5 years ago

      I was most worried about what my husband was going to think when I first looked at practicing head covering. My first try was when he was at work.

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  4. Samantha Gale
    6 years ago

    Very interesting. I’ve gone back and forth on this issue, myself. I feel drawn to the practice, and have for years. My biggest concern is the fear that I’d look like I’m trying to draw attention to myself, as headcovering is not something done at my church.

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    • 6 years ago

      I was sensitive to this at first as well. I didn’t want other people to feel condemned by my conviction. But the more I do it the less I feel that. I’m really not center of attention. I wore one for over a year before one brother even noticed. It causes a lot less fuss than I anticipated.

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      • Victoria
        5 years ago

        Thankfully there were a few women and girls that broke the initial ground at my church to wear head covering before I joined them. You are right. It does cause less fuss than anticipated.

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  5. Jenny
    6 years ago

    What are your thoughts on what kind if head covering should be worn? Are the “doilies” good enough? A hat? Does it matter how much is covered?

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    • 6 years ago

      The only writing that deals with the style of the covering is from historical literature.

      “For some, with their turbans and woolen bands, do not veil their head, but bind it up; protected, indeed, in front, but, where the head properly lies, bare. Others are to a certain extent covered over the region of the brain with linen coifs of small dimensions – I suppose for fear of pressing the head – and not reaching quite to the ears. If they are so weak in their hearing as not to be able to hear through a covering, I pity them. Let them know that the whole head constitutes “the woman.” Its limits and boundaries reach as far as the place where the robe begins. The region of the veil is co-extensive with the space covered by the hair when unbound; in order that the necks too may be encircled. For it is they which must be subjected, for the sake of which “power” ought to be “had on the head:” the veil is their yoke.” Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg.37

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      • Jenny
        6 years ago

        Hmm, I think that’s over my head. Still wondering, does it matter what kind of covering we wear?

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        • 6 years ago

          🙂 Well, I get from this that were a lot of different types of coverings even back then, but Tertullian, said “The region of the veil is co-extensive with the space covered by the hair when unbound; in order that the necks too may be encircled.” Basically let your hair down and cover that much. Now, Tertullian wasn’t an apostle so I don’t believe he is infallible, but its the only ancient guide that I have found. Maybe someone else has something to add.

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          • Robert
            6 years ago

            I’m sorry, Serena, but the “doilies” many wear today do not equate to the “covering” discussed in I Cor. 11. I don’t know if you wear a full veil but, if you do, I respect that a lot more than the brief doilies I have seen worn most of my life because the full veil is exactly what the Scriptures in my understanding of the subject.

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          • 6 years ago

            There is a picture of me and what I typically wear at the end of the post. That’s me holding a baby.

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    • Victoria
      5 years ago

      I don’t feel their is a set rule of what kind of covering to wear. I have tried both the comprehensive hijab and the liberal lace mantilla so far and would like to try a kapp too.

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  6. Brent
    6 years ago

    Romans wore head coverings (men and women) during active worship. Sacrifice, prayer, and prophecy. This can be seen in various depictions (reliefs, coins, etc) in antiquity. This the setting in the Roman city, Corinth. It was always active worship (the one doing the action). Second, it was nothing like the “coverings” anyone wears today. It was basically a “hood” that would be pulled over the head. I can’t go into the various issues in a short post, but I will say that the word “angels” is also simply the word “messengers.” The context of this text is surrounded by discussion of spiritual gifts, and this is certainly something that is taking place within the ekklesia (as it is brought up in the final verse). When I see women leading prayers or prophesying in assembly (actively, not passively, because this is the context of this behavior), than the issue becomes a lot more vital.

    Understand the idea of just reading the Bible; however we must admit that to properly understand Scripture we need to understand the context it was written in as best as we can. There is so much of this that we already understand because of the work of scholars over hundreds of years. We often don’t even think about the work they did, that is part of our basic understanding. Unfortunately, on this issue, there are a lot of incorrect statements made about what women wore and when they wore it in culture, etc. It is nice that we can point to archeological evidence to get a better idea of reality. There is also the reality that Greeks mocked the Romans for their wearing of coverings when they worshipped. These Christians came out of Roman religion, and were certainly influenced by that behavior. like I said, this is not the place to go into great detail; however, I would suggest there are good reasons why many do not follow this statement in 1 Cor 11. This is not uncommon in Scripture. We also don’t commonly pray lifting holy hands, because that is not a cultural thing for us. I’m fine with someone wearing a covering. It is up to them. But I have two concerns: 1. I don’t agree with them trying to say my wife needs to, because I don’t ‘think the evidence supports this. 2. If they are going to wear a covering, they need to do it the right way, and for the right reasons. Neither of these do actually see. Rarely, if ever, have I seen a women truly wear a covering. Just little doilies with holes all over them that you can see right through (this is not the covering Greco-Romans wore). It is done at random times, not merely when they are actively praying or prophesying. Many times it is not even worn consistently even with the misconception that “passive” worship is when it should be worn. The way it is done by those who wear it is often very confusing to me, and seems to just neglect what is actually said about it in the text.

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    • 6 years ago

      If women in the assembly are not actively participating in the prayer so as to be able to say “amen”at the end of it, then it’s not truly a congregational prayer (1 Cor. 14). Just because you’re not the one actually wording the prayer doesn’t mean that you’re not actively participating in it.

      The cultural/spiritual gifts argument is quite inconsistent, and we can see its end thanks to what is going on in Evangelicalism: soon it’s not just the head covering that’s cultural, because the cultural argument works just as well for women’s roles in the family and the assembly. All the opposition, as Serena noted, comes from the same fountain: feminism. This wasn’t an issue in the church in 1850; women covered. Period.

      This cannot be tritely dismissed as over-heated “slippery slope” argumentation, because Paul stakes the entire issue of men’s and women’s roles on the basis of the divine hierarchy stated in no less a passage than 1 Corinthians 11:3. Paul’s logic about the covering has nothing to do with culture; it has everything to do with man as head of woman and Christ as head of man. Man is not to be covered, for he is the image of God; woman comes from man and thus is the latter’s glory and thus ought to be covered (1 Corinthians 11:7). Paul roots the argument about head coverings in the nature of the creation and the fall; Paul will root the argument about women being quiet in the assembly in the nature of the fall (1 Corinthians 14:34-35). Paul roots the argument of women not exercising authority over men in the nature of the creation and the fall (1 Timothy 2:9-15). If the theological arguments for the covering are irrelevant in light of culture, then the theological arguments for male headship in the home and church are just as irrelevant in light of culture. This stands or falls together.

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      • 6 years ago

        Ethan, I feel the exact same way. You articulated that very well. Thank you.

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      • Diana
        6 years ago

        ELDV – Excellent!

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  7. Carl
    6 years ago

    I think there’s a fundamental question that we’re not addressing, but I think it is one that dramatically shapes the conversation. Is Paul talking about “the assembly” here? That is, are we talking about the specially-designated times when God’s people gather?

    The easy answer, and one that is given by “both sides” is, yes. However, if I take out chapter divisions and just read Paul’s words, that’s not the sense I get. The assembly doesn’t come into play until 11.16 and 11.17, as the dust is settling and Paul is preparing to talk about their abuse of the Lord’s Supper. Rather, it seems that the first part of what we have as chapter 11 is really more tied to the discussion of chapters 8 through 10. As to verse 16 (since it is connected to the discussion of the covering), there’s a question in my mind as to whether this is intended to talk about God’s people assembled, or simply those in the church, wherever they might be.

    Additionally, looking at the activities that are under consideration, we have a problem. The shame in being uncovered is with “every woman praying or prophesying.” But let’s fast forward to chapter 14. There it would seem that prophesying (in particular) is a prohibited activity for a woman in the assembly. So if the context of Paul’s instruction regarding the covering is the assembly, why is he on one hand saying that a woman needs her head covered when prophesying in the assembly, then on the other saying that she can’t prophesy in the assembly? I know that doesn’t address prayer specifically, but again, I’m trying to determine the context in which Paul’s words were intended to be applied.

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    • 6 years ago

      Carl, I don’t necessarily have answers for all that. But your response, and Brent’s as well, leaves me with more questions. I believe you both are part of acapella churches, as am I. We have accepted the authority of two obscure passages to “sing” and we do only that- we sing with no instruments, which I am totally fine with. However, are you applying the same treatment of scripture to both passages? Why so much scrutiny of this passage but totally accept the authority of to Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16 and just sing in the assembly?

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      • Carl
        6 years ago

        I can’t speak for Brent, but I don’t apply Ephesians 5.19 and Colossians 3.16 only to the assembly . While I do make a technical distinction between notes on a page and notes on a page associated with words of worship (as in the difference between Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and the hymn, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”), I do not draw a distinction between a hymn sung in the assembly and one sung outside of the assembly in terms of how the use of instruments applies.

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        • 6 years ago

          My question is more in regards to the treatment of the passage. It seems to me the “case” for the head covering is much more obvious than making the leap to NOT use instruments because a passage says sing. That has been something I wrestle with.

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          • Carl
            6 years ago

            Indeed, and I would be dishonest if I said that I have not wrestled with that as well.

            Phrasing my question from another angle, that will be perhaps more useful: if we allow that a literal, artificial head covering is prescribed for all time, and not just for the first century, where should it be worn? I have a hard time saying that it should be worn only “in the assembly,” since it doesn’t appear (to me) that Paul is making such a distinction, for the reasons I stipulated earlier.

            Nor (drawing from your comment below) does it appear that the correct answer is when a woman needs or feels she needs to be reminded of her submission. That reasoning doesn’t help the angels any.

            Thus, if one is to take this passage as saying that women need to wear a head covering, the most consistent answer to me is that is ought to be worn *any* time a woman is praying. Though some might view this as inconsistent, I would probably further say, when they are praying in a way that is externally discernible (either by spoken word or some obvious “prayer gesture”).

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          • 6 years ago

            On the angels point, I think it does speak directly to it. Because there were angels that were disobedient to Creator and fell. My wearing of the covering is a testimony to my place in the rightful order of creation. (Jude 6)

            As for your question, I guess I’m just responding with a question? God is a God who uses symbols regularly, baptism, Lord’s supper, etc. I’m not sure if asking “where” it happens is the right question but rather asking “how.”

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          • Carl
            6 years ago

            So that confuses me a little bit. There are two ways I can see the statement about angels being interpreted:

            [1] As a cautionary tale, i.e., “because of the angels who have already forgotten their authority”

            [2] Because of how our actions might influence angels now, i.e., “because you not having a symbol of your authority might influence the angels to forget theirs”

            I read your second point in the post (about culture) as taking the second view. I read your comment just now as taking the first view. Granted, both might be in view, but I would generally think it to be one or the other.

            Looking at the influence side of things, what I (if I were a woman in this context) might be thinking about authority wouldn’t factor into what an angel might think about me being in submission, since as far as I know, they don’t know my thoughts. The anti-cultural argument you made doesn’t seem as strong if Paul were looking back at what angels have already done in terms of their submission or lack thereof.

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          • 6 years ago

            Carl you use big words I don’t always understand, but I love you brother. I do believe that angels matter. I don’t believe the covering was cultural. And I want the church of my youth to start being consistent in the way they treat these verses in comparison to other verses that are secure in the arsenal of defense of their practices.

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    • Mike
      6 years ago

      Carl, Dyou really think that the subject of the assembly is only coming in at the middle of Ch.11?? Is this not written to the “church of God which is at Corinth”? Doesn’t the apostle deal with issues that relate specificaly with their coming together as that church? Eg, in ch5v4 he says “when ye be come together” and in that section he refers again and again to them as a gathered company of Christians…”ye have not rather mourned” etc. I would very clearly read that this epistle is written for the purpose of dealing with issues among the Christians that clearly affect the character and effective functioning of the church. In the early chapters he deals with the divisions, he gets to the root of this primarily in the party spirit that was prevailing “I am of Paul, and I of Appollos”. Sure, many of these things are very personal, but they demonstrate clearly, that what I am privately affects what I am publicly. I have thought much about “when” to wear a head covering, and as others have noted, it is seems very impractical, and definitely confusing to take this into any other context than the gathered company of the Lord’s dear people…if it were otherwise, a permanent covering would have to be worn. Could I also note, in the assembly/church, it is man and woman…not husband and wife…it is an order based on order found in creation, not in marriage, otherwise there would be much more confusion in relation to those unmarried sisters etc…God bless one and all, have been very encouraged to read of those sisters in Christ willing to submit to Divine order and to see purpose in it. I teach this in the assembly, as that is what our Lord required of us “teaching them to observe whatsoever things I have commanded you” (we must have knowledge to be able to be true disciples) So I believe it must be taught publicly…some who posted seemed to be doubtful of this…

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      • Carl
        6 years ago

        Mike,

        A few comments:

        [1] That the letter is addressed to the church does not necessarily mean that everything in it pertains to the disciples while assembled. The letter to the church in Corinth can address issues in their individual lives and walks, just as certainly as a letter to an individual (such as Timothy or Titus) can address congregational issues.

        [2] There are several places in the letter where the context does not seem to be the church as it assembles. Yes, chapter 5 does, but chapter 6 is a much harder sell. Chapter 7 does not, since it is dealing specifically with the relationship between husbands and wives. While there may be secondary applications to the assembly in chapters 8 through 10, the primary application is individual action as Christians are “out and about.” Paul makes application/admonition for the assembly at some points and application/admonition for individuals (whether in the assembly or not) at other points. That both chapters 5, 11 and 14 have at least some parts dealing with the assembly does not mean absolutely that everything in between deals primarily with the assembly. We would not, for instance, apply chapter 13 *only* to the assembly, would we? However, we often view it as being sandwiched between two assembly-oriented sections.

        [3] As I have pointed out above, to me, the contextual clues point away from this being a discussion of conduct in the assembly. Rhetorically, these verses seem to fit better with the preceding section than the following one. Paul telling the Corinthians to “judge for themselves” whether it is appropriate for a woman to pray to God unveiled doesn’t make sense in an assembly/worship setting, because as I understand it, that’s exactly what the Corinthian priestesses did in the worship of various deities (thus, if Paul is appealing to the Corinthians’ own experience, he isn’t going to get the “no” that he seems to be wanting here). On the other hand, it *would* have been shameful out on the streets for a woman to pray unveiled/uncovered.

        I don’t claim to have this figured out completely, but that is where my study of the passage has led me.

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        • Mike
          6 years ago

          Carl, I don’t want to prolong this, but I covered some of your reply in a couple of very broad comments in my previous post if you don’t mind just having a little re-read to save me more explaining, Maybe I’ll illustrate…yes, Paul speaks of many personal issues, because, as I said, what we are personally affects the local assembly. Eg, we must be careful what we are seen to have fellowship with, so he deals with how I treat the idols temple and things offered to idols (definitely an ‘outside’ issue, but most definitely one that affects the assembly. For another example, he speaks about overseers in 1Tim.3, and in doing so delves right into their private life, finally concluding that if the private life is not in order, then the question must be asked “how shall he take care of the church of God???” (the context he states clearly, is so they might know how to behave in the house of God, the assembly) So my point was, tho he speaks of personal things, it is always with the use of the collective pronouns etc that indicate he is speaking to the company, adjusting things that tho personal, are vital to orderly effective testimony. I view this epistle as entirely to the assembly, for the assemblies edifying, too much confusion arises out of trying to divide it up, and the whole thing becomes quite a mess…simply, as Paul says in Ch.3, ye are God’s building…the building is in disrepair and malfunction for various reasons…so along comes the wise master builder to do the repairs. Sure some of those problems stem from the smallest and maybe silliest things, eg the latter half of the chapter some were hungry, and used the Lord’s Supper as an opportunity to satisfy that hunger! Yet this simple thing so disastrously affected what should have been the Lord’s Supper to the point that Paul has to say you are not even keeping the Lord’s Supper!, because of what is happening here, the purpose is not being achieved to “show forth the Lord’s death until he come” but rather a case of satisfying hunger and cause of shaming others etc.
          Could I just make a plea to one and all that are reading these posts? Please take a step away from all the time spent on cultural study and historical habits / practices etc, and just read the plain and simple words that are written, and I am sure you will find the answer God wants every single brother and sister to know, and because He is not the Author of confusion, the answer will be the same…please allow me to say that. There is always a reason He does not state what the covering must be exactly, but, it must cover! Just as he omits to state how long the sisters hair should be, knowing that the genetics involved in hair length would never see any consistency!
          Allow me to pass on a little experience. I have recently been in Papua New Guinea teaching this very truth to a little group of Christians, some newly saved, others having never been taught some of these Bible truths. There we were in a clearing under some trees, none of the comforts of life so called, no running water, no electricity, no social security, very little medical facility, but most importantly in a country that has 800-plus languages, making it probably one of the most difficult to reach with the Word of God, because who knows if the Bible has even been translated into all those mother tongues?? Many people are illiterate, making it even harder still…but in those circumstances we had to try to teach the truth of God. It was in this situation my heart was convinced more than ever, that all one needs to understand God and His will is His Word! We were blessed to have been able to get a handful of Bibles in their Huli mother tongue, and myself unable to speak or read the language, had to trust that God had guided those translators to do an accurate job, for all I could do, was bring them to direct clear statements from Scripture speaking by interpretation. So, no discussions on Greek because they are fortunate to have a Bible, let alone any study helps or history books, throw away all your alliterated sermons because half of the time the language is so basic they do not have even corresponding words, so the English word is poked into the sentence along with an attempt to explain it’s meaning. Eg, in Pidgin, ‘haircut’ is ‘you cut’em grass’ 🙂 So…my point being, is this truth not for these Christians? It most surely is, and I have heard many other accounts of these kinds of folks just simply obeying the truth as they simply read it, coming out of the jungle and sitting down and covering their heads! May God help us to maintain the “simplicity that is in Christ Jesus” May God bless each and every one!

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  8. Jamie
    6 years ago

    About a year ago I re-studied this passage with a few ladies at our congregation and decided to start wearing a covering. I wear it during prayers in the assembly of our congregation. I have a couple questions for you.

    Do you wear your covering during “Bible class,” either the whole time or when a prayer is offered? For instance, if you are in a Sunday morning Bible class with other adults, but the whole congregation is not assembled? What about at a Bible study in someone’s home on a Thursday evening?

    When I discussed my convictions with my husband, he was very adamant that I have reasoning and conviction for every time I choose to wear my covering. He brought up an interesting point to me. In my understanding of the text, he is talking about public worship assemblies. Yet I still see many women who choose to wear the covering wear them during Bible class when it meets inside the building, but not at a Bible study that meets in someone’s home. I’m interested to know how the distinction is made. My husband was concerned that wearing the covering in a Bible class only inside the walls of the church building is somehow elevating the building and making it more important than just a convenient place to come together. Does that make sense?

    Anyway, I’ve never seen anyone wear it in exactly the way I do, so I’m curious what your thoughts are on this. Thanks!

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    • 6 years ago

      Totally makes sense. And I just recently started feeling like I should have one on for our home bible studies. Here’s sort of where I am at with the “where” question. If I need reminded of my submission and need a symbol of my humility, it is appropriate to wear.

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    • Amy
      6 years ago

      Since it says you should wear it when you pray, and elsewhere in the bible it says to pray without ceasing, I would think that a person who wears a head covering would need to wear it all the time. Who has time to go get it for those quick “Thank you LORD” or Help me now” prayers? Just curious. I have not studied this out as my husband doesn’t want me to wear one and I think it is more important to obey him than to wear a covering. My hair is long though! He likes that! 😉

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      • Jamie
        6 years ago

        I think that concern is pretty common! The way I understand it from the context, this passage is addressing women in the assembly (the next set of verses addresses the Lord’s Supper.) That’s why I only wear it in the public assembly =)

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        • 6 years ago

          I do think it is public worship in the assembly as well.

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      • Victoria
        5 years ago

        Amy, haven’t you ever been tempted to cover your hair when you are by yourself and praying?

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  9. Lily
    6 years ago

    Here’s another question I don’t believe has been addressed in the post or comments: do you think unmarried women should wear coverings? The passage seems only to refer to wives when it says “women,” since it talks about being in subjection to their husbands. I know the Greeks used the same word for both “woman” and “wife” (as do many languages). But I’m unclear whether the word is used as “wife” throughout this entire passage.

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  10. Deniese
    6 years ago

    Thank you for your willingness to share you journey and the conclusion of your journey through this difficult scripture. I, just like you, made this journey and still struggle with the idea that everyone else can’t have gotten this wrong and “who am I to say different”. But, at the end of the day, the scripture does not change. It still says it is a shame for a woman to have her head uncovered. Here is another question: Is the “doily” enough? I’ve noticed among women who cover their heads a movement toward more traditional solid cloth that is also long enough to cover shoulders. Food for thought.

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  11. Diana
    6 years ago

    Thanks for this awesome article! Good work! I’ve been covering (full-time) for two years now, at my husband’s request, and it has been very freeing. I always thought that the “it’s only cultural” argument was weak, but I never would have had the courage to step out and try it without my husband’s support. It’s been great, and I love it. Thanks for writing!

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  12. Kate
    6 years ago

    Thank you so much for this post! I have been wearing the covering since I was baptized 11 years ago. I have never wavered in my conviction that it is a command from God, but I often feel lonely, if you will, while wearing it. I was the only young lady to wear it at the congregation I grew up at, although there were older women who did. Then I went to college at FC and it seemed like I was the only one. Now I’m married and have moved to a different place then I grew up… And I am the only woman to wear it in our town. I know there are others, but it is nice to have confirmation that I am not alone in this. Thank you for sharing your story, and encouraging all of us!

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  13. Aubs
    6 years ago

    It’s been a while, but I had to post a comment. When I first became a follower of Christ ( my early 20’s) I read this verse and immediately was convicted to wear a covering on my head. My dad and husband supported me. Actually you will find most men support the decision and will say that if they were a woman, they would wear one. At least that is what I have heard from men I admire and respect in my life. I did wear the covering for a while, but stopped because a number of people in the church 1) made me feel bad about doing it 2) made me feel like it was not needed ; explaining it away for the reasons you have mentioned 3) or that because I was a strong willed woman that I shouldn’t wear it because I was being a hypocrite. I was a young immature and impressionable Christian and really second guessed myself and just gave up and figured it must not be important if no one in the COC believes in this anyway. Over the years I have become stronger and learned to think for myself, but have yet to return to the covering. I am not trying to blame anyone, and know the choice is mine to make. I always try to encourage young woman I see convicted by this scripture to go with their heart and study for themselves, not being affected by others opinions about the covering. I remember the way I felt. Anyway, that’s all I have. Thanks for your post and I had no clue you wore the covering :)) I never noticed when Neel and I visited Ha!

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    • 6 years ago

      What you just said is really what finally got me to come out of the closet with my belief. There are honest seekers out there who are being bullied with opinions and not counseled with the Spirit.

      My plea is to be fair to this passage and treat it with the same respect that other, unquestioned scriptures are given at-large.

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  14. Malissa
    6 years ago

    I always rejoice when someone is willing to study any part of God’s will with a truly open heart and I appreciate your sharing your journey. I am older and have worn the head covering for more than 20 years, but I was raised in the west and had never seen or heard of it at all till I left home to go to college. I was shocked and distressed to realize there was a whole half a chapter of the Bible I had missed. (and not been taught) I too spent many years wavering back and forth unsure of my conclusion. Eventually my local congregation came to a study of I Corinthians , which got us to chapter 11 eventually. My husband and I decided we would try to really open our minds and allow God to show us through His word what He wanted from us on this topic. I have been a committed coverer ever since. I say all this because I didn’t want any to think I am just one of those who “grew up ” with it.
    I have read all the comments made following your article and have a couple of thoughts. First I appreciate the Carl’s query of the actual context. It seems good to me to also look before 11:1. In doing this it seems to make the verses about the covering to be talking about all occasions when a woman finds herself praying or prophesying, not just in the public assembly. The way Paul addresses the change over, in verse 17-18, to the topic of the Lord’s supper also points to this conclusion.
    “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.”
    So I wear my covering for every prayer. It also doesn’t make sense to then jump to “pray without ceasing” and say you have to be covered constantly. From the text it has to be some thing put on for the occasions of prayer and prophesy. I know for many wearing it , for the assembly, at all is a hurdle to over come , so to contemplate every prayer is scary. I will tell you if you believe the Lord is asking you do it and you trust in Him without question it becomes much easier. You may be ridiculed or badgered by brethren, but God is with you. Faith in God’s justice makes me have no fear of the sudden (uncovered) prayer whispered as my car heads into a crash. It often seems these kinds of issues are brought up more to confuse those who have not studied .
    Lastly once we felt we had studied to a firm Biblical stand we then choose to address the issues of what counts as a covering. Like you, I found no specifics in the text and went to the historical record. Brother Jeff Kingery had a wide collection of images from the first few centuries of the church. He shared them with me and I noticed something. They didn’t all look just the same. Some were longer, some were shorter, some looked heavy and thick , while some looked thin and wispy. From these two point , the lack of Biblical specificity and lack of archaeological or historical specificity, I came to the conclusion that what God was emphasizing in I Cor. 11 was the wearing more than the what.
    Sorry to have gone on so long. The final end of it all is I wear not in a “just in case” manner, but in a firm conviction that the Lord said it through Paul and I believe it and will obey it Justas ay other command He has given.

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    • 6 years ago

      Thank you!! The images were very convicting for me when I started researching. It showed me how the early church accepted the teaching and practiced it regularly.

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  15. Billis
    6 years ago

    Interesting article but I hope that it’s not limited to appearance vailing because if you vail your head and not your mouth that’s very terrible, I grew up in churches with all women vailing their heads thousands of people, but if you look into family relationship the husband is afraid to say something wrong knowing he will have to deal with his wife’s authority, so please people everyone who decides to do so please make sure you are ready to accept your mans authority, I’m telling you it’s the worst thing to be around person with vailed head and controlling character.

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    • 6 years ago

      The heart must be right for a covering to mean anything. That is the same with any symbol we use. The same chapter addresses people who were taking the Lord’s Supper in an “unworthy manner.” God intended these things to remind us, but we still have to do our part to remember.

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  16. Harold Ballinger
    6 years ago

    1 Corinthians 11:13-16 NLT
    Judge for yourselves. Is it right for a woman to pray to God in public without covering her head? Isn’t it obvious that it’s disgraceful for a man to have long hair? And isn’t long hair a woman’s pride and joy? For it has been given to her as a covering. But if anyone wants to argue about this, I simply say that we have no other custom than this, and neither do God’s other churches. look to the last section of this chapter for my personal clarity and position on this point. This letter is written to a particular people with a particular set of customs, and it is made clear that we are to follow the ordinances wherever we live, etc. I see the end of this passage as saying that we should judge for ourselves based on the customs that we know and how we are convicted. Very similar to the passage about choosing to eat or not eat certain things. Again, it is more important why we do these things.

    He tells us judge for ourselves. He also says that the churches have no custom other than this in any of the churches. I expect that if there was another custom, it may have been a more inclusive discussion, because the good news message makes it clear to me that it is the state of our heart, our BE attitudes, that God is looking for, the fruits of the Spirit growing in us. So if someone wears a covering because they are convicted by the Holy Spirit to do so, I’m all for it. And if someone else is not, because the Holy Spirit convicts them against it, I’m fine with that too. Just as not everyone is convicted to be a missionary or a preacher, I cannot judge, but follow faithfully. What I am not comfortable with is folks being guilted into doing things to meet another’s burdensome list of requirements for salvation. Nor am I comfortable with people doing things out of fear and obligation instead of loving and thankful obedience. We don’t want to fall into the trap of the Pharisees who overlooked the message of Love and only saw a book of rules.

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    • R.A
      6 years ago

      Just out of curiosity, why would the Spirit convict one of covering and another of not covering. I thought God is not the author of confusion?

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  17. Aubs
    6 years ago

    Is it really the worst thing Billis? Why is it your problem that a woman covering her head has a ” controlling character”? Unless you are a man and the controlling woman is your wife 🙂 Maybe she is struggling and trying to take steps in showing submission to God and her husband. There will definitely be times of failure, but that is no reason to give up wearing the veil, is it? Changing bad habits and lifestyles can take time and it can be a longer journey for some.

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  18. Jennifer M
    6 years ago

    I have not done enough studying or praying on this to voice my opinion. I am however curious….what are your thoughts on our young daughters wearing a head covering? At what age should this begin? What about the women who have not married…are divorced….widows? Do their earthly fathers fills the headship? What if their fathers are already passed or they no longer live with them or they do not have the same beliefs?

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  19. Brittney
    6 years ago

    This was a wonderful post. I went through a similar journey
    myself and through my study’s I found the same importance
    of wearing the head covering and had a similar fear of rejection
    and criticizing. Still to this day I fear that me wearing
    the head coving could hurt my husband in finding work.
    Since my husband is a preacher and people who disagree
    with the head covering can deal harshly with those who do
    Believe. But it is more important to properly show honor to my
    Husband and God by wearing it. Your courage to write
    this article is amazing. You did a wonderful job!

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  20. K.J
    6 years ago

    Here is a sermon my uncle Dan King Sr. did on head coverings. It’s an audio sermon. http://kscoc.com/?p=1920

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  21. Allen
    6 years ago

    Serena, I appreciate your sharing your journey regarding this subject. My wife (and I) made a similar journey about 25 years ago. As to the questions of ‘when’ the covering-instructions apply and ‘what’ constitutes a covering, my personal inclination is to suggest that those discussions are a distraction until one has concluded that indeed Paul is teaching Christian men to be uncovered and Christian women to be covered. May God bless all your attempts to submit to Him
    .

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  22. Nathan
    6 years ago

    Just as long as you understand that not everyone who comes to a different conclusion is an explain-away-the-inconvenient, excuse-contriving fool.

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    • Aubs
      6 years ago

      Hi Nathan. I don’t know you and don’t usually get into posting on blogs, but this particular topic tugs at my heart. I appreciate other opinions and love open discussion on the scriptures that are a little hard for us to understand. I don’t look down on anyone who thinks differently about the covering or think they are foolish in any way. I do wish more freedom of thought was given on the subject in the church culture I come from. It is heavily slanted toward not wearing the covering and is preached that way. Also, in some cases,, the reality is brethren will actually try and talk a sister out of wearing the covering rather than encouraging her to follow her conviction. That has been my experience and I don’t feel I am alone. That is the reality in some churches, not all. Again I want the same freedom you want. To come to my own conclusion and not be judged for it.

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      • Teresa Neal
        6 years ago

        Oh dear. I was raised in the COC and my mother wore a hat and made us wear them too. You aren’t kidding about the harsh treatment we received from other COC’ers (all of them in the area of the country we moved to) about this. Mockery, ostracism, including mockery and criticism by adults of us LITTLE KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        I found out decades later this was a huge bone of contention in the COC. When I was growing up and other kids were yanking my hat off my head and playing “Monkey in the Middle” with it, I didn’t know this was a huge historical fault line in the COC.

        I’m now a Methodist, and I’m convinced that if I chose to wear a head covering to the Methodist church, I would be accepted and not receive harsh treatment about it, even if others didn’t believe in wearing a head covering.

        The COC has a tremendous mean streak running straight through its heart. Contention over head-coverings is just one of the fault lines. I cannot to this day believe adults were so harsh to LITTLE KIDS whose mother MADE them wear hats But they were.

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  23. Rachel
    6 years ago

    I grew up in a brethren church and as a child would where a hat to every meeting. No questions asked! I’m not sure i would agree now that children need to practice this. After all I had no idea why I did it. I was just told to do it and all the other girls were doing it! I know if I had a daughter I wouldn’t cover her head as I think it really only applies to when you are saved, been baptised and part of the church and I think this is an important part of the process to understand why you cover your head . I no longer go to the brethren church and have been to a more evangelical church where the women don’t have their heads covered. I would have mine covered for a time but must admit I no longer do, mainly I guess to fit in and it’s easier. Questions like is it just cultural? When should it be worn? All of which weren’t really answered properly for me when I was in the brethren church. I was seen as rocking the boat.
    This article is very interesting! I like the idea of a veil rather than something small

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    • 6 years ago

      I have 5 young daughters. I don’t require any of them to wear a covering for the reasons you pointed out. It is something that the personal conviction has to be joined to it or it means nothing. In the same way, I chose to not baptize my children without their personal conviction.

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  24. Rintrah
    6 years ago

    Inerrantists have so many things to be afraid of…

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    • 6 years ago

      I am not sure what an inerrantist is, but the Word of God says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” on several different occasions. The Creator of the Universe deserves my fear.

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      • Dene
        6 years ago

        Please be careful dear sister. It would be easy for one who came to a different conclusion to feel that she had been called a “contriver,” a “fool,” and perhaps even a women’s libber; that she had a dishonest heart and a spirit unwilling to obey. I know you did not mean to be saying these things, but the more fame one has, even just in christian blog circles, the more one must be careful not only of what is said but of the connotations of simple language, especially written language, which is for all practical purposes permanent. I know you would want a woman not to be swayed by such words to the point that her mind was made up because she did not want to be accused of those things, not because she agreed with you and your decision. As for me, I am fine, even though after careful and diligent study I came to the opposite conclusion, but I worry about those younger and less confident of their ability to study.

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  25. Tiffany
    6 years ago

    Serena,

    Thank you so much for your candid thoughts on this subject. After reading your post, I felt as though I could have written it! I have been studying this in depth over the past month and have come to the conclusion that I need to cover my head. I am looking to purchase one and thought that I would seek your advice after reading your post. Any suggestions? Where did you purchase yours? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

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    • 6 years ago

      Awe. Thank you. I am a scarf collector now. If you check out the head covering movement site there are links to purchase. I look for ideas and hit discount and thrift stores.

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  26. Rebecca Heidenreich
    6 years ago

    I loved this…I’ve been covering for almost 2 years, following the conviction of the Spirit, after much study….I so wish I weren’t nearly alone in this at my church, but I can always pray the Spirit works in them too!

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  27. Laura
    6 years ago

    For years my husband had not being a leader of a family but just religiously following what church dictates. He was and is a very good man though but acts of faith were rarely seen.
    No prayer at home, no bible study, most of discussions on biblical subjects were a bardon for him, my full submersion into bible and church programs were bardon as well although he always okeyed that. Wasnt against. He just not had any interest in it. All that time I was wearing head cover in church and during prayers.
    I must say I was not an angel, managing stress was an included work I had to do, but Most people loved me, praised God and thanked me for what i do. few were jelous, Lord was blessing my works Most of times. i wanted to exprce God more though and I’m very ambiguous. I said this quitely to God and few profets spoke word of God during this prayer. Said there’s a very though tearfull field in front of me and if I go through, there’s another very beautiful with lots of possibilities, just amazing. But only if I say yes to the first one. So I agreed with Gods will and it started from every end.
    I studied bible deeply and diligently and while fiery furnace times specially, bagging God for guidance. There was lots of hurt to overcome, lots of understandings and acts to correct. It lasted 3- 4 years with some rest breaks. There was times when i didn’t think God heard my prayers and there was time when I didn’t have power to pay. Lots of depressions. But there was times when He heard me wright away. Sp when I asked Him for a rest break .
    Then later in church, I found many things we do are just religious signs and traditions that not only harden hearts with self righteous thinking, but stealing most presious qualities of Christian heart. Things Like love, understanding, comprehending, accepting, trusting. And one most visible JOY and peace. Think abt it…. I have been comparing people a lot. 39 years being and still are pentecostal and have lots of stories. I’m in a small church now and know life and understanding of each family. Verdict is this: the more faith in outher apperance “for God” the less biblical qualities of living. ruined unhappy families.
    Well and finally.
    I deleted all most quarrelled about church traditions and regular church activities from my life switched to the works that save people spesially the ones everyone have troubles with…. teens. put my self in all kinds of contraversy ofcourse. I remain righteous through blood of Jesus. Stopped wearing covering, pushed my self to understand and respect teens and unbelivers. I became a living person. My family is astonished with changes since then and my dear hubby became more of a leader. We often talk abt works of God. I dress fansier with out being too reveling, needed dose of makeup, hair prep (this is not to say that I didn’t have it before) I just really cared what my husband liked now verses whats acceptable in church.put on some jewelery. My husband is thrilled. Its been a year since that. Obeying husband is a must I will tell ya, but it’s not hard cz he answers with lots of love. We enjoy each other in all aspects. Kids are happy with changes to. And eventhough church is astounished and shocked, they can’t deny the joy and peace they see (they’re confused, we obviously don’t fit by our apperance) but they bag us to stay eventhough some people are really hard abt raising the awareness of our changed and wanting church to control that. Heres a more important thing through out all this I feel Gods touch a lot in prayer and worship, im being more sgrateful to Him and people. I don’t even get hurt when ppl say offencive things to me religious our not. Some Ppl call me charismatic, I don’t know what that means anymore bcz it’s an unspeakable joy I experience. I love people more that before and it makes me happy. Im a singer and when I sing now I feel so free, I feel like my heart has been too wrapped before. Now I own the stage and just deliver what s placed in my heart by the Holly spirit. I feel strong even when things around me don’t look promising, I’ have been a great encourager to people, my grp of teens is growing in spirit and understanding verses going down. Lil explng. My church doesn’t except worship and doesn’t get nontraditional strong songs, that’s why it’s a dilema for me, I have to seek other. This one is not enough. I still come to the old one and socialize, hang out, but also find other for more food. It’s not to easy but I won’t let it bring me down. My hubby is working on reviving people, I only do what I feel Good is placing in my heart to do. I don’t want break believes of others, I want them come to happiness through personal encounter Jesus. I wear cover being in that church bcz of their rules, but don’t wear it elsewhere and tell you what. God loves earnest and open heart. I had more encounters with presence of God out of this church (without cover) then with, but still Gid blessed me everywhere. I think spirit of judgement and critisizm along with (or a component of) religious spirit will hold the holy spirit to work in individuals and fully manifesting in them unless some or most repent. Bcz it metters what people let manifest in them.

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  28. Susan
    5 years ago

    I’ve studied this off and on for years. I have worn a covering in the past, but not now. I have had a hard time seeing that a covering during worship is necessary, when wearing pearls, gold, and braiding our hair is accepted now. I understand that people wore such things for show…it was cultural thing. But, I also see the covering as cultural, also. If someone came into the assembly, would they know what this means in our time? As time passes, there are other ways that women show their submission, and that they are under men. The covering is an outward sign…just not sure when we “Judge ourselves” that this is something that we should still be doing. I see women who are not anywhere near in subjection and wear their hair as short as a man’s, but wear the covering!! I’d lots rather let my actions, and what’s in my heart show I’m in submission and subject to men. Just some thoughts…

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    • Mike
      5 years ago

      Just a thought Susan…I know we can see others doing things that are clearly not right according to scripture, and things that seem to be accepted now that are clearly spoken against in scripture, but that by no means takes away the personal responsibility on each of us to be convinced from the Word of God about what He wants us to do, and why He wants us to do that. I can understand the eroding of the truth that is being experienced today, with the influx of hundreds of different versions, and the different slants and interpretations that are given to the relevant scriptures about these subjects. Eg, if I was to read the ESV, I would have a lot of difficulty in teaching the truth of headship through the practice of the head-covering, because the way they supposedly “translate” the Bible, they reduce it to a mere 1st century practice that showed that a woman was married, and give no indication that it has to do with the gatherings of the Lord’s people alone, and nothing to do with the home sphere. I am convinced the KJV or AV however you refer to it, is the most accurate translation of the Bible, and completely doctrinaly sound. (the same ESV has the Lord Jesus telling lies!!!), so I would advise very strongly to stick to the KJV when sorting out doctrinal issues in particular. Anyway, back to the subject…we really cannot lean on , or hide behind the activities of others…God expects us to read His word and be convinced about the truth, and then put it into practice with feeling and affection, doing it out of devotion to our blessed Lord. To judge ourselves is an everyday essential, because we all sin unintentionally at times, and sometimes we do have rebellious moments when we don’t do the right thing…all this is illustrated for us in the old testament in the offerings associated with the Law and the Tabernacle or Temple worship. In those sacrifices there was provision for sins of ignorance, known sins, also offerings purely for worship etc, but the point being, before the priest approached the presence of God, he washed at the Laver, “that he die not”. So, to have our sin confessed, and our motives right for why we do things is essential. I find it sad to read the comments of those that say they had to ditch certain practices to feel more free and liberated…the Lord told Saul that “to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” True liberty is found in obedience to God’s Word…the Holy Spirit will never lead us any other direction, because the Lord promised He will lead us into all truth. So if we are being led in a direction that is different to what the Word of God clearly states, we need to be aware that it must be “another spirit”…may God help us all with unfeigned love, follow Him in obedience and true affection

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  29. Jackie
    4 years ago

    This is such an encouraging testimony, thank you!!! If I may ask, what do you feel about full time covering? I recently started doing so and have felt a freedom I never really expected. YHWH has spoken deep words of encouragement to me through a few women because of it, and I know that it is changing me from the inside as well. What are your thoughts, if you don’t mind sharing? Feel free to send me an email if you’d rather. Blessings!

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  30. Joby Kurien
    2 years ago

    Reading this, I can only conclude that you are a wise and godly lady. Thank you for taking the time and effort to write this.

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Serena
6 years ago 83 Comments American Church, Head Covering, The Church, Uncategorized, Wife, Womanhood5,129