1 Corinthians 11:13-14
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Paul isn't just asking a rhetorical question; he's empowering the Corinthian believers to use their own discernment and reason, trusting their God-given ability to understand what's appropriate. He's saying, "Look at the reality of what you're doing, and tell me, does this make sense according to the way God wired things?" This challenges us to engage our minds and consciences in how we present ourselves in worship.
Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing disorderly conduct in the Corinthian church, specifically issues related to worship services, and in this section, he focuses on head coverings for women. He's just argued that a man dishonors his head (Christ) if he prays or prophesies with his head covered, and now he turns to the reciprocal question concerning women praying or prophesying with their heads uncovered. The verses that follow will offer his direct instructions on the matter, based on his understanding of tradition and creation order.
Paul doesn't just lay down rules; he invites the Corinthians to think critically. What does it mean to 'judge for yourselves' when it comes to worship?
Paul uses the phrase 'judge for yourselves' to empower the Corinthian believers. He's not dictating a rigid law, but appealing to their sense of reason and propriety. He expects them to understand and apply godly principles, not just blindly follow commands. This encourages a mature faith where believers discern truth and wisdom.
Why does Paul bring up head coverings in the context of prayer? It seems like a strange detail, but it carries profound meaning about relationships and divine order.
The issue of head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11 is deeply tied to the cultural context of ancient Corinth and Paul's broader teaching on spiritual order. Paul uses the 'head' (Greek kephale) as a symbol for both a person and for authority.
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Understand the original words
krinō · Greek Verb
A Greek term for making a moral or practical evaluation; it requires the believer to exercise spiritual discernment and wisdom to apply God's truth to specific situational contexts.
physis · Greek Noun
Biblically, this term often refers to the created order—the way God designed the world to function—as well as inherent instincts or common sense patterns observed within that creation.
atimia · Greek Noun
A state of shame, dishonor, or reproach; in a scriptural sense, it signifies behavior that contradicts the dignity or status God has assigned to a person within His created order.
This letter was written to a church facing numerous real-world issues in a cosmopolitan, sometimes chaotic, Greek city, impacting their daily practices like worship.
c. 50-52 AD
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spent about eighteen months in Corinth, establishing the church and teaching the believers.
c. 53-55 AD— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul writes his first letter to the Corinthian church to address various issues and questions they had raised.
c. 56 AD
Paul's Second Visit to Corinth
Paul makes a more difficult visit to Corinth, which may have further highlighted the problems he addressed in his letters.
This verse sets up the entire discussion Paul is having about headship and covering, explaining the underlying principle of Christ's authority over man, and man's authority over woman.
1 Corinthians 11:10Paul directly refers to the 'sign of authority' on her head, which is immediately connected to the context of angels, further emphasizing the spiritual gravity of the practice.
1 Timothy 2:9-10This passage speaks to proper adornment for women in worship, emphasizing inner beauty and good deeds over outward display, but the principle of modesty and order in worship is shared.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35Paul also addresses the role of women in public worship, indicating that order and respect are paramount, which provides a broader context for his instructions in chapter 11.
Paul isn't just asking a rhetorical question; he's empowering the Corinthian believers to use their own discernment and reason, trusting their God-given ability to understand what's appropriate. He's saying, "Look at the reality of what you're doing, and tell me, does this make sense according to the way God wired things?" This challenges us to engage our minds and consciences in how we present ourselves in worship.
Paul is addressing disorderly conduct in the Corinthian church, specifically issues related to worship services, and in this section, he focuses on head coverings for women. He's just argued that a man dishonors his head (Christ) if he prays or prophesies with his head covered, and now he turns to the reciprocal question concerning women praying or prophesying with their heads uncovered. The verses that follow will offer his direct instructions on the matter, based on his understanding of tradition and creation order.
Paul is addressing disorderly conduct in the Corinthian church, specifically issues related to worship services, and in this section, he focuses on head coverings for women. He's just argued that a man dishonors his head (Christ) if he prays or prophesies with his head covered, and now he turns to the reciprocal question concerning women praying or prophesying with their heads uncovered. The verses that follow will offer his direct instructions on the matter, based on his understanding of tradition and creation order.
"Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him," — Paul isn't just asking a rhetorical question; he's empowering the Corinthian believers to use their own discernment and reason, trusting their God-given ability to understand what's appropriate. He's…
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Last reviewed October 2026
