For the temporary age when the extraordinary revelatory gifts were poured out upon men and women alike, Paul commands women to cover their heads when praying or prophesying in the public assembly. However, once the extraordinary revelatory gifts passed away, so did the requirement for women to wear a head covering in public worship. The main objection to this interpretation is the Pauline prohibition against women speaking aloud in the public assembly (1Cor. 14:34). This problem is relieved by interpreting the prohibition in context. Paul does not forbid every form of female vocal expression or participation in worship, rather, he forbids them from interpreting tongues and prophecy aloud (cf. 14:27,29). This interpretation assumes that the “praying” of 11:5 is the praying in tongues referenced in 14:14.
http://media.urclearning.org/audio/JS_1_Cor_11_1-16.mp3
2 comments so far
Feb 16, 2010Robert #
Very good, thank you! I have a friend in a Reformed church where it was seriously proposed that women wear head coverings–no doubt taking a leaf from R.C. Sproul’s book, “Knowing Scripture.” Very timely.
Feb 16, 2010Rev. John Sawtelle #
Robert,
I realize there is much confusion about this issue, and I humbly offer this proposal to clear the matter up for many who have a burdened conscience about head coverings and public worship.
Pastor John