0. Why should a woman cover her head? – a quick explanation
• 1. Is hair the same thing as a head covering? (Part 1)
• 2. Women covering their heads while prophesying. What does it mean to prophesy? (Part 2)
• 3. Is prophesying the same as reading Bible verses? (Part 2)
• 4. Why is a woman’s head covering so important to God if she is providing spiritual support? (Part 2)
• 5. Why should a woman have authority on her head because of the angels? (Part 3)
• 6. What should be done if a woman cannot grow her hair out due to health reasons or age? (Part 4)
• 7. Biblical examples of head and face coverings. (Part 4)
• 8. Why does Paul command women to remain silent in the assemblies? (Part 5)
• 9. Examples of good and bad prophetesses. (Part 6)
0 – Why should a woman cover her head?
Since this is meant to be a quick and concise answer, I will present it briefly at first, and then in a bit more detail.
Dear Woman:
The Apostle Paul does not command you to cover your head because you are less important. Scripture states that we are all equal before God. Covering your head does not deprive you of the right to pray or engage in spiritual activity. Precisely because you can pray and prophesy, you should do so in accordance with God’s order. Long hair is your natural glory. Remember this; it is a great privilege for women. Scripture says that long hair serves as a woman’s covering, yet Paul speaks separately of an additional head covering for two situations: when praying and when prophesying. The head covering demonstrates that you acknowledge God’s order within the assembly. This matters not only before people but also in the presence of the angels, who witness this order. Therefore, when you pray, place a covering on your head. When you prophesy—that is, when you convey the teachings of Christ and Biblical knowledge from God—wear a head covering.
Let us emphasize an important point, as Scripture states: long hair is a woman’s natural covering and glory. However, 1 Corinthians 11 shows that a woman should additionally cover her head when praying and prophesying.
It is not a matter of demeaning the woman.
It is about:
• regarding obedience to the Word of God,
• regarding the order established by God,
• regarding order in the assembly,
• regarding the visible acknowledgment of authority—hierarchy,
• regarding the testimony before people,
• and regarding the significance of this matter before the angels.
A woman covers her head while praying and prophesying because she serves—both physically and spiritually—within the order established by God. Long hair is her natural glory, and the head covering is a visible expression of the assembly’s order—also for the sake of the angels.
This topic has been discussed in detail in several articles; the first one is here:
https://jesu.pl/women-covering-their-heads-are-hair-and-head-coverings-the-same-thing-part-1/
I will now present a somewhat broader discussion of this topic.
The subject of women covering their heads raises many questions. Some believe it refers only to long hair. Others claim it was merely an ancient tradition. Still others say that a head covering signifies nothing more than acknowledging a man’s authority.
However, the most important question is: What can be concluded from the Biblical text itself?
Paul writes about a woman who prays or prophesies:
“…with her head uncovered, she dishonors her head…” — 1 Corinthians 11:5.
This is the starting point. Paul is not speaking generally about a woman’s attire throughout the day. He does not command her to keep her head covered while cooking, working, shopping, or engaging in ordinary conversation. He lists two specific situations:
- prayer,
- prophesying.
That is precisely when a woman should not have her head uncovered.
1. Hair and headwear are not exactly the same thing.
The most common argument against the headscarf is this: since Paul says that hair is given to a woman as a covering, no additional covering is needed.
Indeed, Paul writes:
“…her hair was given to her as a covering” — 1 Corinthians 11:15.
Long hair is, therefore, a woman’s natural covering. It is also her glory. This must not be disregarded.
However, a few verses earlier, Paul writes:
“If a woman does not cover herself, let her also have her hair cut off…” — 1 Corinthians 11:6.
This passage is very important. Here, Paul distinguishes between two things:
• lack of a head covering,
• having one’s hair cut short.
If long hair were the only covering, Paul’s statement would be difficult to understand. If “does not cover herself” simply meant “does not have long hair,” then the words “let her also have her hair cut” would lose their meaning.
Paul is therefore speaking about two levels:
- long hair— a woman’s natural covering and glory,
- head covering during prayer or prophesying — a conscious, visible act.
Hair is a gift from nature. A headscarf or other covering is something a woman puts on in a specific situation.
2. Covering up does not mean that a woman is less important.
Some interpret this topic as implying that a woman is of less value than a man. However, the text itself does not say that.
Paul assumes that a woman can:
• to pray,
• to prophesy,
• to build up others,
• to comfort,
• to convey a spiritual word.
The problem, then, is not that a woman acts spiritually. The problem is the way she does it.
Covering the head does not deprive a woman of her dignity.
The covering demonstrates that the woman serves spiritually and, at the same time, acknowledges the order established by God.
3. It is about God’s order.
Paul begins the entire topic by explaining the order of headship:
“…Christ is the head of man, and man is the head of woman…” — 1 Corinthians 11:3.
This verse shows that there is no room for acting at one’s own discretion in the assembly. Everyone has their own place, responsibility, and scope of action.
Christ is the head of man. Man is the head of woman. God is the head of Christ.
This does not mean that a woman is of less value than a man. It is about… procedure for action and accountability
When a woman prays or prophesies, she is acting spiritually. In doing so, a head covering shows that she does not reject this order.
This is especially important in the assembly.
4. God’s order in the assembly
The gathering of believers is not a mere social get-together. It is not a place where everyone does whatever they please.
Paul writes:
“…let all things be done decently and in order” — 1 Corinthians 14:40.
This is one of the most important principles regarding the gathering.
In the gathering, we have:
• prayers,
• prophecies – searching the Scriptures,
• teaching,
• encouragement,
• comfort,
• songs,
• various gifts.
However, everything is to be done according to God’s order.
A spiritual gift does not give a person the right to disregard principles. The fact that someone has something important to say does not mean they can reject the order of the assembly.
Therefore, a woman covering her head while praying or prophesying is not an incidental detail. It is part of the visible order.
By doing this, a woman demonstrates:
• I can pray,
• I can prophesy,
• I can offer spiritual support,
• I do not act outside the order established by God.
This is very important. In the assembly, it is not only what we do that counts. How we do it matters, too.
5. What does it mean to prophesy?
Prophesying does not mean solely foretelling the future.
Paul writes:
“…speaks to people for their upbuilding, encouragement, and comfort” — 1 Corinthians 14:3.
Thus, prophesying can mean conveying a word that:
• builds a person up,
• encourages them,
• comforts,
• admonishes,
• shows the right direction.
Not every instance of reading a verse constitutes prophesying; reading is simply reading. Explaining a verse is usually a matter of teaching or encouragement.
Prophesying occurs when a person speaks a word from God to others—a word that addresses a specific need and serves to edify or bring clarity.
If a woman exercises her spiritual gifts in this way, Paul instructs her to have her head covered.
6. “Because of the angels”
Paul gives one more specific reason:
“…a woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head because of the angels” — 1 Corinthians 11:10.
The Greek text does not contain the word “sign” here. There is the word:
ἐξουσία — exousia
Which means:
• power,
• authority,
• law,
• entitlement.
The strongest interpretation of this passage is that the angels are heavenly witnesses to the order of the assembly.
The assembly does not take place merely before people; what happens among believers also holds significance in the spiritual realm.
Therefore, the order of the assembly is not merely a matter of organization. It is not simply about the meeting being orderly and presentable.
It is about something greater.
Heaven sees whether God’s people are acting in obedience or according to their own will.
In this light, the head covering demonstrates that a woman consciously acknowledges God’s order—even in the presence of angels.
This does not mean that the fabric itself possesses magical power. It is not a question of the material, the color, or a specific style.
It is a matter of a visible action that demonstrates: I acknowledge God’s order and wish to serve in accordance with it.
7. Does it refer to the husband as a covering?
Scripture says that the man is the head of the woman:
“…the man is the head of the woman…” — 1 Corinthians 11:3.
But there is no verse that says:
„The husband is the woman’s head covering.”
The husband is called the head. He is not called a covering.
Therefore, these two concepts cannot be interchanged.
The order of headship explains why a covering matters. But the husband himself is neither a cloth nor a head covering.
8. What about a woman who cannot have long hair?
If a woman cannot grow her hair long due to age, illness, medical treatment, or physical frailty, this does not constitute rebellion against God.
If nature grants her long hair, it is her glory.
If, due to age or illness, nature no longer provides it, this is not disobedience.
God does not hold a person accountable for a condition beyond their control.
Such a woman can still cover her head while praying or prophesying; the head covering does not depend on the length of her hair.
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