Head Coverings and Praying

The instruction, here given by Paul, is applicable to all areas of life where the roles and relationships of men and women are involved.

The two issues under consideration in this section are praying and prophesying. In the context of this instruction the praying is being done by women who are also prophesying while in the presence of men. Both the Old and New Testaments make evident the significance of prayer in conjunction with the ministry of the prophets. For a woman to pray in the presence of men with her hair uncovered is a disgrace because she is displaying a rejection of the authority given to the men by God.

The point is not what kind of head covering but what that head covering represents.

The purpose of the head covering is explained in the passage as an outward, symbolic display of an inner attitude of submission. This submission recognizes the distinction between the man and the woman that must be maintained along with expressing the appropriate show of respect for authority and leadership.