In this video, we continue our series on the head covering in 1 Corinthians 11 by examining the specific view that long hair itself is the covering Paul describes. This perspective suggests that the requirement isn't for a cloth veil, but rather a distinction in hair length that reflects the principle of headship.
We break down the arguments for this position, drawing on insights from Greek scholarship and textual analysis:
- Connecting Hair and Covering – Exploring how the text consistently links the covering to being shorn or shaved, suggesting that the "uncovered" state refers to short hair on a woman.
- Shorn vs. Shaved vs. Short – Visualizing the differences between these terms to understand why Paul uses them as distinct categories in his argument.
- The Meaning of "Covered" in Greek – A look at the original Greek verbs for "covered" (katakalipto) and how they relate to being "fully covered" or "wholly covered".
- The Noun in Verse 15 – Analyzing the shift to a specific noun for "covering" (peribolaion) and why the text explicitly states hair is given for a covering.
- Answering Common Objections – Addressing the "put on and take off" argument: Can hair be the covering if the text implies it’s only for times of prayer and prophecy?
- Nature’s Lesson – Understanding how Paul uses "nature itself" to teach the distinction between men's and women's hair length.
Whether you view the head covering as a cloth veil, a cultural custom, or the hair itself, this lesson provides a detailed look at the textual evidence to help you arrive at a deeper understanding of 1 Corinthians 11.
I reference an article by Jeff Smelser in this video. You can find that article at http://www.diktuon.com/smelser_j/1cor_11.htm.