What does 1 Corinthians 11:13 mean?

Explanation

This verse from 1 Corinthians 11:13 is part of a larger discussion by the Apostle Paul about propriety in worship, specifically regarding the covering of a woman's head while praying or prophesying.

Paul is encouraging the Corinthian believers to judge for themselves the appropriateness of a woman praying to God without a covering over her head.

The phrasing, "is it comely," asks whether this practice is honorable or fitting, complementing the principles and prevailing attitudes within the Christian community.

At a deeper level, this passage touches upon issues of cultural practices, gender roles in worship, and respectability within the Christian assembly.

Historical Context

1 Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth, a city known for its cosmopolitan diversity and moral laxity.

Corinth was a trade hub with a mix of pagan religions, philosophies, and cultural practices.

In this context, the early Christian community was challenged by integrating their faith with cultural norms, particularly regarding public behavior.

Women's head coverings were a typical practice in many ancient societies, symbolizing modesty, respectability, and social status.

In the context of the Corinthian church, there was debate over whether Christian women should adhere to this practice, especially when engaging in spiritual activities like prayer or prophesying.

Theological Insights

Theological perspectives on this verse differ among Christian denominations and biblical scholars.

• Traditional View: Many traditional commentators assert that this verse reinforces gender distinctions within Christian worship, suggesting that women ought to uphold certain customs (like wearing head coverings) to symbolize submission to authority, particularly in a congregational setting.
• Cultural View: Some scholars argue that Paul's instructions were culturally bound to the society of Corinth and were not meant to be universally applied to all Christian worship settings.
• Symbolic View: Other interpretations focus on the symbolism of the head covering, seeing it as an external representation of an internal spiritual reality, such as the authority of God or the headship of man over woman, which is also discussed in the same chapter.

Practical Applications

Regardless of the cultural and historical specifics of head coverings, modern applications tend to revolve around the principles of respect, modesty, and cultural sensitivity within communal worship.

• Respect and Modesty: Individuals can consider how their attire and behavior might reflect respect for God and others during worship.
• Cultural Sensitivity: In diverse cultural settings, being aware of and sensitive to local customs, particularly during religious gatherings.
• Debating Practices: The call to "judge in yourselves" can encourage congregations to engage in respectful dialogue about worship practices and what is "comely" or appropriate in their context.

Cross-References

• 1 Corinthians 11:5-6: "But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven."
• 1 Timothy 2:9-10: "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;"
• Genesis 24:65: "For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself."

Language Study

The original Greek language of this verse uses the term κόμος (komos), often translated as "comely." This word conveys the idea of something being proper, honorable, or fitting.

Paul uses a rhetorical strategy, asking the Corinthians to rely on their sense of propriety and understanding of Christian conduct.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures and religions, head coverings also played a significant role.

For example, in ancient Greek religion, women often wore head coverings during religious rites.

In Judaism, the practice of women covering their hair has been historically observed, and it remains a traditional practice in Orthodox Jewish communities.

Scientific Perspectives

There is no direct scientific correlation to the practice of head covering.

However, anthropology and sociology provide insight into human social behaviors, including dress codes and their symbolic meanings within different cultures. These disciplines can help contextualize the social norms that the Apostle Paul was addressing in 1 Corinthians.

Commentaries

Commentaries on this verse offer varied interpretations:

• John Calvin: Calvin considered this teaching as appropriate for the cultural circumstances of Corinth and potentially for other contexts where the same cultural concerns apply.
• Matthew Henry: Henry, in his commentary, noted that nature itself teaches a difference in men's and women's appearances and customs.
• Craig Keener: As a modern New Testament scholar, Keener suggests the head covering was a symbol of modesty and propriety in the first-century Mediterranean world and that the principles of honor and propriety in worship still apply, though cultural expressions may differ.

Each commentator recognizes the underlying principle of appropriate conduct and the challenge of applying first-century cultural practices to contemporary Christian worship.