2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions , just as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man , and the man is the head of a woman , and God is the head of Christ . 4 Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head . 5 But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head , for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved . 6 For 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. 7 For a man ought not to have his head covered , since he is the image and glory of God ; but the woman is the glory of man . 8 For man does not originate from woman , but woman from man ; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman's sake , but woman for the man's sake . 10 Therefore e the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head , because of the angels . 11 However , in the Lord , neither is woman independent of man , nor is man independent of woman . 12 For as the woman originates from the man , so also the man has his birth through the woman ; and all things originate from God . 13 Judge for yourselves e : is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered ? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair , it is a dishonor to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair , it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering . 16 But if one is inclined to be contentious , we have no other practice , nor have the churches of God .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
(Read 1 Corinthians 11:2-16)
Here begin particulars respecting the public assemblies, 1 Corinthians 14. In the abundance of spiritual gifts bestowed on the Corinthians, some abuses had crept in; but as Christ did the will, and sought the honour of God, so the Christian should avow his subjection to Christ, doing his will and seeking his glory. We should, even in our dress and habit, avoid every thing that may dishonour Christ. The woman was made subject to man, because made for his help and comfort. And she should do nothing, in Christian assemblies, which looked like a claim of being equal. She ought to have "power," that is, a veil, on her head, because of the angels. Their presence should keep Christians from all that is wrong while in the worship of God. Nevertheless, the man and the woman were made for one another. They were to be mutual comforts and blessings, not one a slave, and the other a tyrant. God has so settled matters, both in the kingdom of providence and that of grace, that the authority and subjection of each party should be for mutual help and benefit. It was the common usage of the churches, for women to appear in public assemblies, and join in public worship, veiled; and it was right that they should do so. The Christian religion sanctions national customs wherever these are not against the great principles of truth and holiness; affected singularities receive no countenance from any thing in the Bible.