1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Expanded Bible

Being Under Authority

² I praise you because you ·remember me in everything [are always thinking of me], and you follow closely the ·teachings [traditions] just as I ·gave them [passed them on] to you. ³ But I want you to understand this: The head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is ·the man [or her husband], and the head of Christ is God. ⁴ Every man who prays or prophesies ·with his head covered [or with long hair; ^Lhaving down the head; ^Cmost scholars think the passage concerns head coverings; others long or short hair (see v. 14)] brings shame to his head [^Cmeaning shame to Christ, who is the head of the man; v. 3]. ⁵ But every woman who prays or prophesies with ·her head uncovered [or no covering (of hair); v. 4] brings shame to her head. She is the same as a woman who has her head shaved. ⁶ If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. But since it is shameful for a woman to cut off her hair or to shave her head, she should cover her head. ⁷ But a man should not cover his head, because he is the likeness and glory of God. But woman is man’s glory [^CGod’s glory should be unveiled (revealed), while human glory should be veiled]. ⁸ [^LFor] Man did not come from woman, but woman came from man. ⁹ And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man [Gen. 2:18]. ¹⁰ So that is why a woman should have a ·symbol of authority on [or authority over] her head, because of the angels [^Cthe significance of the angels is unclear; perhaps their presence at worship calls for reverence and propriety].

¹¹ But in the Lord women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women. ¹² This is true because woman came from man, but also man is born from woman. But everything comes from God. ¹³ ·Decide [Judge] this for yourselves: Is it ·right [fitting; proper] for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? ¹⁴ ·Even [^LDoes not…?] ·nature [or custom; culture] itself teaches you that wearing long hair is shameful for a man [^CGreco-Roman men normally wore their hair short]. ¹⁵ But long hair is a woman’s glory. Long hair is given to her as a covering. ¹⁶ ·Some people [^LIf anyone] may still want to argue about this, but I would add that neither we nor the churches of God have any other ·practice [custom].