The subject of women covering their heads sparks considerable controversy. Scripture states that women must cover their heads while praying and prophesying. Furthermore, we read in the Scriptures that a woman’s hair serves as her covering, while another passage suggests that they should cover their heads for the sake of the angels.

Why for the sake of the angels?

What does it mean to cover one’s head while prophesying?

When a woman speaks about God or reads biblical verses, is she then prophesying, and must she cover her head?

Let us examine these topics in detail, so as neither to add anything of our own nor to subtract anything from God’s message:

“Now these things, brothers, I have applied to myself and to Apollos for your sake, so that in us you may learn: not to go beyond what is written, so that you may not become arrogant—one taking pride in one person against another” – 1 Corinthians 4:6.

1 – Is hair the same thing as a head covering?

1.1 What does the text state explicitly?

Order of the Head – Hierarchy:

“But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God” – 1 Corinthians 11:3.

Order for a man:

“Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head” – 1 Corinthians 11:4.

Order for a woman:

“And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head. For it is one and the same as if she were shaved” – 1 Corinthians 11:5.

Paul’s appeal is imperative, not casual:

“So if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off. But if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head.” — 1 Corinthians 11:6

Paul’s rhetorical question:

“Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God without a head covering?” – 1 Corinthians 11:13.

These instructions apply to all congregations:

“But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God” – 1 Corinthians 11:16.

1.2 What follows from this?

A woman should cover her head while praying and prophesying, whereas a man is not to cover his head in the same situation. This is neither an indirect inference nor a conjecture; it is the direct content of verses 4–6 and 13.

1.3 Are hair and headwear the same thing?

Here lies the crux of the dispute. Verse 15 says:

“But if a woman wears/grows long hair, it brings her glory, for her hair was given to her as a covering/veil/mantle” – 1 Corinthians 11:15.

or:

“But if a woman wears/grows long hair, it brings her glory, for her hair was given to her instead of a covering/veil/mantle” – 1 Corinthians 11:15.

The word most frequently translated as „covering” (4018. *peribolaion*) also denotes: a cloak, a veil, a covering, or a wrap—that is, something physical. The verse suggests that long hair serves as a physical covering, akin to a veil or a cloak.

What do we find in Paul’s teachings?

• In 1 Corinthians 11:15, hair is presented as a woman’s physical covering, veil, or mantle.

• We also encounter the act of cutting or shaving the hair in 1 Corinthians 11:6—Paul cites this as an example of disgrace and a point of contrast: if a woman is not covered, let her hair be cut; and since having her hair cut or shaved is a disgrace, let her cover herself.

Two facts emerge here:

• hair constitutes a physical covering for a woman;

• Paul employs the act of cutting or shaving the hair as a powerful, shameful example to underscore the gravity of the matter of head covering.

1.4 When is covering up required?

The text explicitly states: “when praying or prophesying.” Therefore, strictly speaking, the injunction applies to these specific situations. However, since Paul concludes the matter by appealing to the “churches of God,” it is safest to interpret this primarily as a principle applicable to all gatherings of believers.

In short:

• Long hair is a woman’s natural covering.

• Covering the head during prayer or prophesying is an additional, visible sign of God’s order.

• Paul demonstrates that hair and a head covering are not exactly the same thing.

Why?

Because if hair alone were the sole covering, Paul would not have written:

“So if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off. But if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head.” — 1 Corinthians 11:6

Thus, Paul distinguishes between hair and a head covering:

• Hair = that which God has naturally given to a woman.

• Head covering = that which a woman puts on when praying or prophesying, in order to demonstrate God’s order.

A woman possesses long hair as a natural covering; however, when praying or prophesying, she is also to cover her head as a visible sign of God’s order.

Final Conclusion

• The Bible teaches that a woman—or sister—when praying or prophesying, should have her head covered.

• The Bible teaches that a man, in this same situation, should not have his head covered.

• Long hair is a woman’s glory and serves as a natural, „physical” covering; however, Paul’s very argument points to the need for an *additional* covering during times of prayer or prophesying.

In 1 Corinthians 11:6, we find a command for women to cover themselves while praying or prophesying. If a woman chooses not to do so, she should shave or cut her hair. Conversely, a little further on—in 1 Corinthians 11:15—hair is presented as a woman’s physical covering, veil, or mantle.

Are there, then, specific situations in which long hair itself serves as the covering or physical mantle?

What does it mean to prophesy? When is a woman considered to be prophesying in a manner that requires her to cover her head?

I invite you to join me for the subsequent parts of this discussion.