By Temitope Ojo
irst Cor 11:5-6: “But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
“For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.”
The above Bible passage has become a controversial subject among churches of today, as it generates argument among Christians. The interpretation of this passage varies among believers as to whether the covering is spiritual, garment, or hair.
Some consider the text as completely cultural and identify all parts as the custom of contention.
Some believe what Christians should bother more about is the Great Commission, which is to evangelise and win more souls for the kingdom of God, to avoid them perishing, rather than occupying themselves with doctrinal issues that have no direct impact on the great task.
To them, souls are perishing. They wonder if it is not a waste of time and energy.
“Why should we bother ourselves with this old-fashioned tradition of head covering? If it is so important, why do most of our churches not practise it today?” a respondent asked?
Some sisters who cover their heads when praying and prophesying do not know why they do so, and most brothers and sisters who keep their heads uncovered do not know why they do so.
However, some maintain that it is a must to abide by this ordinance.
Dosa Denayon of the United African Methodist Church said 1 Cor 11: 2-16 makes it clear that “it is a must for a good, God-fearing women to cover her heads when church.
“The text reveals, ‘But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering’ (1 Cor 11:15).
“By a woman’s head being uncovered, this was the same personal shame as having her hair sheared or shaved (1 Cor 11:4-6).
“Starting from verse 4, this passage is about what will personally shame the woman’s head. Verse 5 indicates that it is a personal shame for a woman to shear or shave her head.
“As other Scriptures explain, the woman who elaborately arranges her hair uncovers her head and disregards her God-given glory and God’s headship.
“The only condition that has been laid down for a woman not to cover her head when in the presence of God is when she has natural long hair, not an attachment or artificial hair.
“With long hair being a glory to the woman, the Scriptures teach that the Christian woman should cover her head by letting her hair down in subordination to God’s order of headship and thereby glorify God, Christ, and man (1 Cor 11:3-6).
“It requires total submission to God-giving order and chain of command. A covering on the head is used as an illustration of the order. The head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
“Therefore, a woman’s submission to God-delegated authority over her is an example to angels. This covering not only means a cloth but also can refer to a woman’s hair length (1 Cor 11:14-15).
“Therefore, in the context of this passage, a woman who is wearing her hair longer marks herself out distinctly as a woman and not a man.
“God also wants women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold.”
On the argument that the practice is ‘tradition’, Denayon quoted 2 Thessalonians 2:15: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
He insisted that believers are under God’s clear instruction to follow Biblical traditions.
“What the Bible is against is when the traditions of men, or the traditions of denominations, are exalted above the Word of God. Just like the Pharisees were doing in the days of Jesus Christ (Mark 7:13).
“The traditions that the Holy Spirit sent to the church through the apostles must be fully kept. Biblical traditions are good, and to downplay or ignore them is to be in disobedience to the Lord.”
“If a sister is still in doubt about what this passage of Scripture teaches, let her consider this: Isn’t it better for her to do more rather than less – and especially so – when there is no inconvenience or cost involved.
“What will she lose by covering her head when she prays and prophesies? Nothing.
“But think of what she will gain by covering her head, if she discovers at the judgment seat of Christ that this was indeed God’s command?
“She will have the joy of having pleased her Lord on earth, in spite what other Christians taught and practised.
“So, every woman, if she is wise, will cover her head with a covering, when she prays and prophesies.”
Will a woman who does not cover her head go to hell?
“The obedience of a child of God is not based on the motive of avoiding hell fire. A child of God obeys Him, first of all, because he knows that his obedience pleases the heart of God (1 Thessalonians 4:1).
“And, second, because a child of God is saved unto a life of obedience (Ephesians 2:10). He has no other way of life, except the way of obedience (though he may stumble occasionally).
“A believer whose heart is not fixed on pleasing the Lord by obeying His commandment, but who is more concerned about doing only what he needs to do to avoid hell, will most likely end up there one day.
Why does God answer the prayers of women if He is not happy with their heads uncovered?
“The fact that we get answers to our prayers is not an automatic indicator that God is happy with us. It is the character of God to send rain on the just and the unjust.
“So, in His sovereignty, God may choose to bless all sorts of people for all sorts of reasons as He wills.
“So, miracles and answered prayers are not an automatic proof of anything. Some people may perform miracles in His name and still end up in hell (Matthew 7:22-23).
“There are times that we may not be in a right standing with God, and He will answer our prayers, with the expectation that His goodness will lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4).
“But when we persist in disobedience because we are seeing the mercy of God, one day, and judgment will knock. So, following the commandments of God is the yardstick of our obedience, not just answers to prayers.
Denayon prayed that the Lord will grant His children understanding as they seek to know His will on this subject, and as we appropriate the available grace to obey Him.
“Simple obedience is all that God requires. And that is the true mark of every true child of God.”
Grace Smith of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) added that “head covering/uncovering tradition is rooted in God’s order of spiritual hierarchy as we see in 1 Cor 11:3.
“Here are the three reasons the Holy Spirit gave us through the ministry of Paul:
• “God’s order of creation (verses 7-9): Man enjoys his supremacy in God’s hierarchy because, by virtue of his being created first, he is the image and glory of God.
“The woman is the glory of the man (verse 7). Man is not from woman, but the woman is from man (verse 8). Man was not created for the woman, but the woman was created for the man (verse 9).
“In God’s sovereign design, this is what gives man the supremacy. But please, please note that supremacy does not mean superiority in the Christian faith. And submission does not mean inferiority.
“Even Jesus Christ Himself lived in submission. In submission to His Father, and in submission to His earthly parents when He was under them – and there is nothing inferior about Jesus Christ.
“Submission is simply a role, not a stigma.
• “Because of angels (verse 10): The second reason is that, somehow, the angels are connected to, and are interested in the order of, creation outlined above.
“So, when angels are present in a Christian assembly, there is something that is communicated to them when they see a woman that covers her head in worship.
• “What God teaches us through nature (verse 14-15): God is very particular about distinction between the male and female sexes.
“Through nature, God communicates and teaches us this distinction through the difference in the length of the hair of the man and the woman.
“Nature teaches us that a man’s hair should be short, and that a woman’s long hair is her glory.
