March 3, 2002
Paul is a very old and dear friend of mine; he is also a troublemaker! Before the days of my preaching every chapter, every verse, straight through a Bible book, I used to nimbly avoid the trouble traps Paul laid out. Today I am cornered!
If I tell the truth about this passage some women will not like the truth and lynch me. If I skirt around the truth, the men who don’t understand (as well as those who do understand) will also probably lynch me. If I bail on the truth God will get me. What shall I do? Well, I am much more scared of God than any of you. And lynching only means I get to go home to Jesus…and look up that troublemaker, Paul! So….here comes the truth.
One disclaimer must be in place, however, before we begin. While there are plenty of theories on this passage about women and covered heads, no preacher has the passage totally in control. I know this to be true – at least in Thomasville. At last week’s minister’s breakfast meeting I asked several of them for guidance on this troublesome passage. One by one they told me about the coverings in worship:
One pastor told how a man sneezed while their congregation was singing a hymn. The man’s toupee flew off his head and forward, over the shoulder of the man in the pew in front of him. The kind gentleman reached down, picked up the rug, shook the dust out and handed it back, like a quarterback making a handoff.
Another pastor shared how after he baptized a man and brought him back up out of the water; the toupee he was wearing was bent half-over from front to back, like a halo.
Grabbing on the baptism-and head-covering theme another pastor told about the woman who wore her wig to the waters. When he brought her up, the wig stayed behind. With lightning speed, yet dignified grace the preacher plucked that wig out of the water like a floating muskrat, deftly planting it back on the lady’s head…sideways.
My, oh my! Headcoverings aside – and that’s where they really belong here – this passage has a much more significant point to make to us this morning. The point is that worship is much more important than what the worshipper looks like. However, that does not mean we should not pay attention to such things. The fact that Paul mentioned it at all in a didactic manner indicates we should investigate.
Paul describes worship “practicalities” with how relationships were given by God, and how they are to be treated by men. This gives us the understanding of corporate worship being an act of acknowledgement (like the tithe represents our stewardship). The acknowledgement, as we worship corporately, is that we will live out God’s order of relationships in our everyday lives. In this way, it becomes more than useless for people to “dabble” in attending church – it becomes sin to casually sit-in on a worshipping community’s holy assembly if there is no intention of carrying out that holiness in the other 167 hours of the week.
Paul is didactic in this passage. He is a teacher, giving us time to think through some very important issues. And, like your high school math teacher, there are assignments to help us do the thinking. As with all assignments it is good to look them over, then make a definite decision as to whether we accept them, or not…
I. Looking at the ASSIGNMENTS in Bible Times
What kinds of assignments are given here?
A. AUTHORITY ASSIGNMENTS
1. All should follow Christ.
1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. First Corinthians 11.1
The first assignment of authority is that of everyone following in Paul’s footsteps – not because Paul knows he is a good example, but because he has placed his faith, trust and life into following Jesus Christ. Christ set the example for Paul as He laid aside equality with the Father in heaven to become submissive, coming to earth to die for our sins.
2. Paul’s Godly walk was worth following.
2Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 3But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. First Corinthians 11.1-3 (KJV)
Paul begins the description of an “authority-chain” by showing how he is under the authority of the true head of mankind, Christ. He further shows us that Christ is subservient in this order to God, and that women (within marriage and ministry – that is the context), are to be submissive to their own man (not anyone else’s).
As an apostle, Paul could lay down this order as having received it from the Lord. He passed along this structure to us as an assignment (I would have you to know…).
B. HEADCOVERING ASSIGNMENTS
1. Men uncovered
4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. . 7For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. First Corinthians 11.4, 7-9 (KJV)
Praying and prophesying (preaching) are not only religious activities; they have specific identity with closeness to God in the act of corporate worship. When you pray, you go to God on behalf of men; when you preach, you go to men on behalf of God. In this activity, men are to have their heads uncovered.
“The rabbis of that day taught that a man was to cover his head. Paul says that they actually misinterpreted Moses and the reason for the veil. ‘And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished” (2 Cor. 3:13). This refers to an experience Moses had when he came down from the mount where he had communed with God. When he first came down, the skin of his face shone, but after awhile that glory began to disappear. Therefore, he covered his face so they wouldn’t discover the glory was disappearing (see Exod. 34:33-35).
Paul is saying to the men that they ought not to cover their heads. A man created in the image of God, who is in Christ by redemption, is to have his head uncovered as a symbol of dignity and of liberty. He is not to be covered when he prays or when he prophesies.
2. Women covered
5But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered 10For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
First Corinthians 11.5-6, 10 (KJV)
There are two parts to this idea of covering. The first is that covering, itself, is a matter of protection. The mercy seat, the cover on the Ark of the Covenant of the Old Testament, is the symbol of forgiveness and protection of God. A woman who covers her head with a veil (not the whole body as we see Islamic women in burkahs on CNN), is thanking God for His protection.
The other aspect is accepting and, acknowledging as good, the authority of her husband when she prays or preaches publicly. Why was this necessary? Part of God’s plan for the home involves the man and woman fulfilling their roles. The woman was created by God as a gift to her husband. Prior to the creation of Eve, Adam was so incomplete. There is the current joke going around “email-land” that when God created man, he looked at him and said, I can do better than that!
Well, that is (in a twisted sort of way) true. God hadn’t finished. It was not good for the man to be alone, so he created a wonderful creature who would bless and complete the man. One author puts it this way…
God did not form the woman out of the head lest she should become proud;
nor out of the eye lest she should lust;
nor out of the ear lest she should be curious;
nor out of the mouth lest she should be talkative;
nor out of the heart lest she should be jealous;
nor out of the hand lest she should be covetous;
nor out of the foot lest she should be a wandering busybody;
but out of a rib which was always covered; therefore modesty should be her primary quality.
In this assignment we need note that the woman is required to pray or preach publicly under the authority of the man. Does this infer some sort of inferiority about a woman’s preaching or praying? Of course it does not! Florida Baptists have had Vanita Baldwin (now retired) Director of W.M.U. as a great example of a woman who could preach circles around a lot of men I know. (In fact, I only asked her to preach once during a mission’s conference in our church because I thought she was a better preacher than the current pastor.) Our own Isabelle Brower is a communicator of the Gospel along the lines of Vanita Baldwin. She’s a good ‘un!
But I would dare say neither of those women covets a pulpit outside the authority granted to them within God’s word. Miss Baldwin never married; Sister Isabelle was a lifetime helpmeet to a pastor. This is also another facet of the assignment. The “veiled” preaching and praying has to do with married women. The issue here is submission within the context of marriage and ministry.
3. Neither is shaved
14Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. First Corinthians 11.14-15 (KJV)
Even in ancient days the outward appearance communicated. Long hair for a man was shameful, as was short hair for a woman. Now, the sixties aside (please let ‘em rest!) we are not talking about length (you could get kicked out of Bob Jones University if your hair touched your ear or collar), we are talking about attitude.
Growing long hair was a shame to a man in Biblical days. Samson took a Nazarite vow, allowed his hair to grow long. That was obedience to God, but his neighbors laughed at the “sissy”. However, it was an inner heart of obedience that went along with the outward sign of shame. Things got reversed when Delilah entered the picture. Samson’s heart got long on disobedience, and the lady gave him a haircut!
Short hair on the women was a disgrace because the local prostitutes cut their hair. Respectable women let it grow. Again, we are not concerned so much with actual length, as to which motives the length might be attached. If your hair is patterned after, say, Brittany Spears, so that you’ll look so sexy no man will be able to resist you, your motive is pitiful, worldly, and ungodly. Enough said!
4. Neither should be proud
11Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
First Corinthians 11.11-12 (KJV)
Paul is done wrecking feminism in these verses. He makes the point that neither man nor woman is to be puffed up over any assignments. He makes the point clear that woman originally came from the first man (Adam’s rib), but that since then every man has come from a woman’s womb. Neither can boast – none would be here at all if it were not for God. That’s a good perspective!
5. Not just following rules, but with heart’s conviction
13Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? First Corinthians 11.13 (KJV)
In all, the issue of praying and preaching is heart-conviction driven. The point Paul seems to make is that we ought to be careful not to make rules in the church about women and head coverings. Throughout the history of the church there have been those who would do so…and the rules come and go.
Paul cautions us to judge ourselves, our motives. There may be some women here today who need a covering on their head, because of pride and rebelliousness. There might be some men here today who need a covering on their heart for the same reasons.
C. UNITY ASSIGNMENT
16But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. First Corinthians 11.16 (KJV)
Paul finishes off the deal with a reminder that the traditions of the church do not allow for strife within the body of Christ. Do we need to say anything else?
II. Accepting the ASSIGNMENTS in These Times
I would like to leave first century Corinth and travel quickly to Thomasville. What do antiquated customs about veils have to do in our day of political correctness, gender neutrality and the irrelevance of God? Answer: Nothing!
On the other hand, if you want to know what the Bible – God’s Word for all ages is saying to us here, and now, open your heart to these few applications of Scripture, and let His Word dwell richly in your heart. It will bless you!
There are three ways (at least) you can accept the assignment. And it is your choice, you know. Like Jim Phillips, leader of Mission Impossible’s team of spies, your mission, follower of Jesus, should you choose to accept this assignment…is:
A. ALIGNMENT
With whom do you align, or identify? Whether it is a veil drawn across the face, or worn on the head – do you identify more with the world, or with God’s people. When making choices about the way we dress, it is better to be too modest and have the world make fun of you, than to be too worldly and have them accept you.
A properly-dressed worshipper with a worldly heart has missed the point altogether. On the way home from church Mildred says,
“Fred, did you notice Alice Jenkins’ new hat?” Says Fred, “Nope”.
“Did you see Beatrice Deas’ mink stole?” “Uhhh, Nope”.
“Well, did you see that new dress the preacher’s wife had on?” “Nah”.
“Fred Bosley, I declare – you never pay attention. A lot of good going to church does you!”
It does come down to choice doesn’t it? Choice is a popular and powerful word these days. The world holds up the beautiful people for our example to follow. It tells you ladies to choose your clothes by…
cutting a few more inches off that hemline to show those legs
buy that snug-fitting, up-pushing, un-buttoned look
show a little more and you’ll get that guy’s attention.
And, ladies, I assure you…you can get that attention from the guys when you dress that way (don’t look so spiritual, gentlemen – you do look). But you’d better buckle up, ladies…you’re also going to get something else – you’re going to get the Corinthian ride! When the sex-thing fades out, there will be no commitment left for the long haul. With whom do you align; Jesus or the world?
B. ACHIEVEMENT
The world has always misunderstood the kingdom way of evaluating the achievements of men and women. God says that following His way will cause you to bear fruit.
8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9In 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; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Timothy 2:8-10 (KJV)
God’s way is a matter of accepting the assignments, in the manner in which God gives them. In this matter of achieving, or accomplishing good works, it is impossible to do the right thing (good works) in the wrong way (any other way than God’s).
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15.5 (KJV)
In the same manner, we can take it that with him we can do everything. And that means, even with His so-called antiquated assignments and ways. That means, if we want to achieve great things for God, we ought to pray, preach and live His way – and the world will just have to get over it! So, once again, choose what you will, God’s way, or the world’s.
Finally, beyond alignment and achievement, there is one last assignment…
C. AGREEMENT
If alignment speaks to our hearts about identifying – taking our stand with Jesus Christ, and God’s way; and if
…achievement speaks to us about keeping that stand so we can do the kinds of works in this world God’s way so they’ll be worth something; then…
…agreement should speak to us what verse 16 said plainly about contentiousness; there is no room for it in God’s man or woman, or God’s church.
1. Arguments are Satan’s playground
Arguments, specifically, over things that radical feminism and Neanderthal chauvinism normally fight about, are truly Satan’s playground. It comes from a lopsided theology that actually thinks there are sides to an issue (other than God’s side). It’s like the woman who went to her pastor.
She said, “Pastor, my husband thinks he’s a chicken.”
“He thinks he’s a chicken?” “Yes,” said she, “
The pastor is puzzled, “He really thinks he’s a chicken”.
“Yes. It’s getting annoying – he goes around clucking and scratching at the ground. Whenever I ask him a question he squawks and pecks at me.”
“Do you want me to pray for him or set up an appointment for the psychiatrist?”
She replied, “I guess whatever you think best. I was hoping you could get him to change a little, but I really don’t want him all-cured.”
“Why not?” asked the pastor. “Well, to be honest,” she said, “we need the eggs.”
There is something wrong on both sides of the argument whenever there are sides taken. These days (as in days gone by), men say,
Let the woman submit to the man.
The woman counters…
In Christ there is no male or female.
The man repeats like a mantra…
Let the women learn in silence.
The woman jabbers…
Deborah, Hannah, the prophetesses…
Somewhere, up in the clouds – that great cloud of witnesses spoken of in Hebrews, Paul is watching, and he is praying, coaching, alternately cheering and whispering, my little children….hush! Don’t give Satan a foothold with this. Put away your pride, and just be God’s children. Follow Jesus; I did, and I don’t regret it one bit. You won’t either.
And so, it all (still) comes down to what you want to choose. What do you want your legacy to be when you leave to go join Paul, and all the loved ones you know who have gone to be with Jesus? Will your legacy be with the men who insist on dominating rather than loving? (Their reward is only on earth – they were able to lord-it over some).
Will your legacy be with the women who insist on the rebellion of refusing to accept and acknowledge the authority of God and His way? (They have their radical feminist friendships and the satisfaction of putting men in their place).
Or do you want your legacy to be the legitimate welcome by the Lord who says, Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
IF that’s what you want….remember, it’s not about men controlling, women rebelling…it’s all about HIM!
