ACCEPTABLE CLOTHING IN CHURCH (PART 2)- Hair Covering

\By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 

  " Making the word of God of non effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such  like thing do ye " Mark 7:13

Historical Facts

 According to middle eastern tradition, when a woman gets married, she honours her husband by covering herself with a veil i.e. total covering of the head, hand and legs Gen 24:65.Which some did not find comfortable sometimes.

      This led to a contention in the church at Corinth where Apostle Paul had earlier taught on gender equality in the  house of God, leading to some women protesting and seeking to have their veils removed so they could be free from the discomforts just as their husbands were against the backdrop of equal freedom of expression since they were equal before God. They demonstrated their indignation by unveiling themselves: an action which brought shame to their husbands and families, given that it was a sign of divorce. 

      To better understand the place of scripture in this matter as it affects Christians with divergent cultures all across the world , it is important that we consider the context with which the scripture  (1 Cor. 11:3-16) from whence churches make reference to with  respect to the covering of hair by women .

Definitions

*  Head – The word ‘head’ as used in this scripture (verse 3) is not the physical head, but the

husbands as the head in a marriage.

*  Woman – The word ‘woman’ as used in 1Cor. 11:3 is a Greek word ‘Goo-nay’ which means a wife.

* Covered – The word covered as used in 1Cor. 11:4 is a Greek word ‘kat-ah’ meaning frequently denoting opposition’

*  Be covered – This is a compound word, it is pronounced ‘katakalupto’ which means to cover wholly i.e. veil or hide as the Muslim women in Afghanistan  do .

 Facts

Fact 1 – This scripture is all about the chain of authority in the church 1Cor.11:3 with God/Christ at  the top followed by the man then the woman followed by the children from the oldest to the youngest. 

Fact 2 – This text is referring to married people , it does not include singles. 

Fact 3 – It was a tradition that was particular to the church at Corinth 1Cor. 11:16, not a general church problem i.e. It was a traditional case brought to the church for Apostle  Paul to judge.

Fact 4 – The woman's hair is a natural covering designed by God to bring glory,

honour, praise and dignity 1Cor. 11:15 (|The woman’s hair is given for a covering and not to be covered)

   Couples were expected to discourse within themselves on the appropriate hair design to wear to church meetings and public functions , it should be convenient and age appropriate . We should also respect the culture of our host communities with respect to hair covering .  Whatever will stand as an obstacle in worship should be avoided . However, women are not to be condemned if they wear veils or not . As your read this now receive grace to live a life of glory and honour in Jesus name.

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