Question 1

What does it mean that the head of every man is Christ and the head of the woman is the man?

Accepted Answer

When Paul says the head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God, he is talking about an order in relationships, not about who is worth more. God the Father is over Christ, Christ is over man, and man is over woman in role. This order shows how God has arranged authority and responsibility. It is meant to shape how husbands and wives, and men and women in the church, relate to each other with respect, not to excuse harsh rule or demeaning treatment.

Question 2

Why does Paul talk about head coverings when praying or prophesying?

Accepted Answer

Paul brings up head coverings because in that culture they were a visible sign of honor, modesty, and order in worship. He says a man should not cover his head when praying or prophesying, because he reflects the image and glory of God. A woman, however, should have her head covered when she prays or prophesies, to show her place under authority and to avoid shame. The outward practice was meant to match the inward attitude of respect for God’s design in male and female roles.

Question 3

What does it mean that woman is the glory of man and man the image and glory of God?

Accepted Answer

Paul explains that man is the image and glory of God in a way that highlights his role as head. Woman is the glory of man because she was taken from man and created for him as a helper and blessing. This does not mean woman is less in value before God, but that man and woman have different roles. Man came first, and woman came from him, yet both come from God. Later Paul adds that man is now born through woman, showing that they depend on each other even within this order.

Question 4

Why does Paul say a woman should have power on her head because of the angels?

Accepted Answer

This line is difficult and has been read in more than one way, but the main idea is that what happens in worship is watched by the spiritual world. “Power on her head” speaks of a sign of authority, likely the head covering. “Because of the angels” suggests that heavenly beings observe how believers honor God’s order in worship. So Paul urges women to wear the sign that fits their role, showing respect not only before people in the church but also before God’s unseen messengers who care about proper worship.

Question 5

How are men and women mutually dependent in this passage?

Accepted Answer

After stressing that woman came from man and was created for man, Paul quickly adds that in the Lord, man is not without woman, nor woman without man. Woman first came from man when God made her from Adam, but now every man is born through a woman. This shows that neither can stand alone. Both need each other, and both come from God. So while there is an order of headship, there is also deep mutual dependence and shared worth. Authority is balanced by closeness and need, not by pride.

Question 6

What does Paul mean when he appeals to nature about hair length?

Accepted Answer

Paul asks if nature itself teaches that long hair is a shame for a man but a glory for a woman. He is pointing to what people commonly see and accept: men usually have shorter hair, and women often have longer hair, which he calls a glory and a kind of natural covering. He uses this to support the idea of visible differences between men and women in worship. The hair is not the whole issue, but it backs up his point that there should be clear, respectful distinction between male and female.

Question 7

Why does Paul connect head coverings and shame or honor in worship?

Accepted Answer

Paul speaks in terms of honor and shame because in that time, certain ways of dressing sent clear messages. For a man to cover his head in worship would dishonor Christ, his head. For a woman to uncover hers when praying or prophesying would be like having her hair cut off, which was seen as disgraceful. So the head covering, or lack of it, showed whether a person accepted God’s order or pushed against it. The main concern is that worship should show respect to God and not bring shame on oneself or others.

Question 8

What does this passage teach about customs and the churches of God?

Accepted Answer

At the end, Paul says that if someone wants to argue about these things, “we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” He is pointing to the shared practice of the churches at that time. The way men and women appeared in worship was not just a private choice, but part of how the whole church honored God together. Paul wants believers to avoid stubborn arguing and to keep the pattern of order and modesty that marked the gatherings of God’s people, rather than inventing their own ways that cause conflict.

1 Corinthians 11:1

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Roles in Worship

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1 Corinthians 11:1

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

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Roles in Worship

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