Should Christian women wear head coverings?

This particular issue of women wearing head coverings is one that not all Christians are in agreement on. Those who reject the view that women should wear head coverings believe that it was a cultural matter of the day and age in which the Scriptures were written. However, some believers do practice the teachings of head covering for women. The teaching is found in 1 Corinthians 11:3-16. The context of the passage in question is obedience to the God-given order and “chain of command.” When a female Christian wears a head covering she is displaying the headship and authority of God. 1 Corinthians 11:3 says, “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.” The order here is, God the Father, God the Son, the man or husband, and the woman or wife. So, when a Christian woman wears a head covering she is showing that she is under the authority of her husband and in submission to God.

1 Corinthians 11:5 says, “But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.” Verse 10 of this passage says, “Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.” Verses 14-15 says, “Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering.” Taking these verses together we learn that the Bible teaches that the length of a woman’s hair and her head being covered is a godly example and witness.

When a Christian woman refuses to wear a head covering she is displaying disobedience to the divine order and showing dishonour to the created order. God’s order is that the husband is the head of the wife as God is the head of Christ. However this headship order does not mean inequality or inferiority. The Father and the Son are equal and united together, just as the husband and the wife are equal and united.

The cultural norms that prevail in contemporary society are significantly distinct from the values and beliefs held during the period when this particular passage of Scripture was composed. Despite these variations, the influence of culture or the prevailing societal perspectives should not take precedence over the guidance provided by Holy Scripture on any issue at hand. This principle underscores the relevance of Scripture for modern Christian women, as illustrated by 1 Corinthians 11:3-16, which continues to hold significance today, just as the instructions found in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 pertaining to the concept of modesty remain applicable and important for us in the present time.