Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man.
Comment: You will have noted in our discussion of 1 Corinthians that much of it are brief passages discussing different issues. Today we have the first half of a portion which some have titled ‘head coverings’. When, for example, an Orthodox Christian goes to worship he/she expects the priest to be ‘dressed up’, and they know what the colours and layers mean. They appreciate the ‘icons’ and texts on the walls and the meanings of the stained glass windows. Other worshipping communities may well, the leader included, be dressed in sandals, shorts, and open necked shirts. I am not arguing for either here, although I do have opinions on the matter. I believe that symbolism and traditions in life do have a significant place. Paul here is using the word ‘head’ not in an anatomical sense but with a deferential meaning. As I understand it, Jesus almost certainly had long hair and a beard trained in a Jewish orthodox shape. The Bible is quite clear that men and women are of equal value in the sight of God – but it does give them roles, which are meant to make society, as God wants it, to run ‘smoothly’. Some would like to scrub this passage from the Bible; God has ordained it to be there. The way a woman deals with her hair is one of the ways she manages her ‘individuality and beauty’. Whilst clearly stating their equal value the man is given the responsibility of loving his wife as ‘Christ loved the church’; the wife is told to submit willingly, but not as a doormat, to her husband. I think Paul is saying that in worship, this is to be a symbol, acknowledge these truths.
Prayer: Help me to understand and practice the truth of your word, Father.
As I read it! 