1 Corinthians 11:7
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While it's easy to focus on the "covering" aspect, the verse actually hinges on a profound statement about identity: man is directly the "image and glory of God." The contrast with woman being the "glory of man" isn't about inferiority, but about their unique created order and how they reflect God's glory differently in their relationship.
For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing a dispute within the Corinthian church about head coverings in worship, specifically how men and women should present themselves. He's already discussed spiritual gifts and is now moving into more practical instructions about order and conduct during corporate worship, which naturally leads to discussions about the roles and appearances of men and women. This verse explains his reasoning for a man not covering his head, building on the creation account and the distinct ways men and women reflect God's glory.
Paul starts by talking about men and their heads. Why does he bring up 'image and glory of God' here?
The Reflection of Divinity
The Apostle Paul grounds his instruction on head coverings in a profound theological truth: men are created as the 'image and glory of God.' This isn't just about physical appearance; it's about representing God's character, authority, and dominion in the created order.
Think of it like a king's representative – they carry the king's authority and reflect his status. In the same way, man, in his God-given role, is meant to reflect God's glory to the world and to creation.
Therefore, Paul argues, a man covering his head would obscure this reflection, essentially diminishing the visible representation of God's glory on earth.
The verse then pivots to a statement about women. What does it mean for a woman to be the 'glory of man'?
The Complementary Glory
Following the statement about man reflecting God, Paul introduces the woman's role in relation to man. He states that 'woman is the glory of man.' This is a statement about the created order and the unique relationship between husband and wife, or more broadly, between male and female within the covenant community.
It doesn't mean women are less valuable or less in God's image. Instead, it speaks to a complementary design where the woman's created being, her character, and her role (particularly in marriage) bring glory man, just as man brings glory God. It's a picture of interdependence and mutual honor within the framework God established.
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This perspective helps understand the specific cultural and theological context of Paul's teaching on headship and covering.
Understand the original words
anēr · Greek Noun
Refers to the male gender, particularly in the context of creation order and relational roles between men and women.
eikōn · Greek Noun
The resemblance or reflection of God's character, attributes, or authority manifested in human beings, fundamentally rooted in the creation narrative.
doxa · Greek Noun
Refers to the manifestation of worth, dignity, or splendor; here, it is used to describe the relationship of origin and reflection between God, man, and woman.
c. 55-57 AD— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
The Apostle Paul writes this letter to the church in Corinth, a bustling port city in Greece known for its diverse culture and economic prosperity, but also for its social and moral complexities. He addresses issues of division, immorality, and doctrinal misunderstandings within the church.
c. 44 BC - 14 AD
Roman Rule Over Corinth
Corinth was rebuilt by the Romans and became a significant administrative and cultural center within the Roman Empire. Roman societal norms and expectations influenced local customs, including those related to public dress and religious practice.
1st Century AD
Influence of Greco-Roman Philosophy
The philosophical landscape of the time, particularly Stoicism and other Hellenistic schools, emphasized reason, order, and distinct roles for men and women in society, which could have subtly shaped understandings of headship and public behavior.
1st Century AD
Goddess Worship in the Region
The region around Corinth had a history of goddess worship (e.g., Aphrodite). Some scholars suggest that early Christian practices, including those concerning head coverings, may have been partly shaped by a desire to distinguish themselves from pagan religious customs or to address issues arising from former participation in them.
This passage lays the foundation for the 'image of God' concept, explaining that both male and female were created in God's image, which is key to understanding the distinct roles discussed in 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 11:3This verse immediately precedes the one you provided and establishes the headship principle (Christ over man, man over woman) that underpins Paul's argument about covering and glory.
1 Corinthians 11:10This verse speaks about the 'sign of authority' on her head, directly linking the practice of covering with a symbolic representation of order and submission within the church community.
Ephesians 5:22-24This passage further elaborates on the man's headship, comparing it to Christ's headship over the church and the wife's submission to her husband, echoing the relational dynamics mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11.
While it's easy to focus on the "covering" aspect, the verse actually hinges on a profound statement about identity: man is directly the "image and glory of God." The contrast with woman being the "glory of man" isn't about inferiority, but about their unique created order and how they reflect God's glory differently in their relationship.
Paul is addressing a dispute within the Corinthian church about head coverings in worship, specifically how men and women should present themselves. He's already discussed spiritual gifts and is now moving into more practical instructions about order and conduct during corporate worship, which naturally leads to discussions about the roles and appearances of men and women. This verse explains his reasoning for a man not covering his head, building on the creation account and the distinct ways men and women reflect God's glory.
Paul is addressing a dispute within the Corinthian church about head coverings in worship, specifically how men and women should present themselves. He's already discussed spiritual gifts and is now moving into more practical instructions about order and conduct during corporate worship, which naturally leads to discussions about the roles and appearances of men and women. This verse explains his reasoning for a man not covering his head, building on the creation account and the distinct ways men and women reflect God's glory.
"For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man." — While it's easy to focus on the "covering" aspect, the verse actually hinges on a profound statement about identity: man is directly the "image and glory of God." The contrast with woman being the "g…
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Last reviewed October 2026
