Is the "covering" mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11 a piece of cloth, or could it be the woman’s hair itself? In this lesson, we take a deep dive into one of the most debated positions on this passage: the idea that long hair is the covering provided by nature.
We explore the common objections to this view, examine the Greek and English translations, and discuss how we should approach difficult scriptures with humility and a desire for truth.
In this video, we cover:
- Translation Differences: How versions like the NASB and New King James can lead to different initial impressions of the text.
- How Long is "Long"?: Addressing the practical question of hair length and how "nature" and "culture" play into the distinction between men and women.
- The "Church Fathers" Objection: Does it matter that early historical writers primarily viewed the covering as cloth?
- Do You Need to Know Greek?: Evaluating whether you must be a scholar to reach the "hair as covering" conclusion, and where looking at the original language is actually helpful.
- Specific vs. General Application: Why the passage mentions "praying and prophesying" and whether these principles apply to a Christian's everyday life.
- Modesty vs. Headship: Distinguishing between the concept of modesty and the biblical principle of headship and glory.
Key Verses:
- 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
- Matthew 5:21-24; 38-40 (Principles of specific vs. general commands)
The Goal of This Series:
This study isn't about proving a specific side, but about being honest students of the Word. We look at the strength of the arguments for hair as the covering while acknowledging the historical and textual cases for a cloth covering.