1 Corinthians 11:3  lists an order of authority which God has given.  It looks like this: GOD IS 1ST, JESUS IS 2ND, MAN IS 3RD and WOMAN IS 4TH.

 

The reason for this order is for service and relationship. This order does not "sit" too well with some who dare to arrange their own order of deity and mankind.   However, it is the Creator who set this order.  Thus, if we honor Him as the Great Designer, we should not question Him.  Genesis 2:20-24 tells of the creation of woman.  She came from the man to serve as a helper (assistant).  Hebrew "Ezer" signifies an "aid".   In Genesis 3:16 we are told that part of woman's penalty for committing the first sin was to be under sub­jection to the man.  Likewise in Ephesians 5:22-24 God con­tinues to state that the Christian wife is to be submissive to her husband.

 

Now -- back to the title of this article as considered in 1 Cor. 11:4 ff.  Why was it sinful for a man to pray in the first century church, if his head was covered.  Likewise, why did a sister have to have her head covered in a worship service?

 

Please note that in V.16 Paul says that the churches (congregations) do not have this custom.  He is trying to say that it was the custom of society of the first century for men to not have a head covering and women to have a head covering.  The women of Greek and Roman cultures would wear "head coverings" (veils and shawls) in public.  That is ex­cept for the female slave or prostitute.  Women of the Jewish culture were usually kept completely out of sight of the men worshippers.

 

Paul was giving inspired teachings to the Corinthian brethren when he told Christian women not to "set them­selves up" to appear as slaves or prostitutes.  Likewise, a woman wearing a head covering was showing that she was under the authority of her husband.  The man kept his head uncovered in worship to show he was under authority of God (custom of the area).

 

Thus, since this was a custom which was in the Greek culture, it has no bearing on us today in America, as we have no such custom.  Our custom has been that when a male enters a house (residence) or a house of worship that he removes his hat or head covering.  May we continue this, out of respect, just as we "tip" our hat in the presence of a female.

 

No, God does not demand that American women wear a head covering in a house of worship anymore than He does for us, as worshippers, to wash one another's feet (that is another article), or to greet one another with a holy kiss.

 

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