tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32248579.post578464987498541208..comments2023-09-26T07:47:18.127-05:00Comments on θεοβλογούμενα <br><sup>(theoblogoumena)</sup>: What Does Paul Teach About Head Coverings? Thoughts On 1 Corinthians 11:2-16.EricWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008786460314263379noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32248579.post-57688986261436499212023-09-26T07:06:22.108-05:002023-09-26T07:06:22.108-05:00The earliest Christian commentaries that we have (...The earliest Christian commentaries that we have (Tertullian and Chrysostom to my knowledge) do not find the passage so difficult. It can't be long hair in verses 4-6 since this would make no sense - if one has long hair, then it is not only when one is praying or prophesying - whereas a physical head covering can be put on for prayer and prophesying. I think verses 14-15 are an analogy with nature - just as a there is a difference between men and women in everyday life, with regard to hair life, so also there is a difference between men and women in spiritual activities, with regard to wearing a covering. Remember that Paul starts with establishing a kind of hierarchy in verse 3. The head covering speaks very clearly of women's submission in the church of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:11, 1 Corinthians 14:34). Tertullian ('On the veiling of virgins') informs us that the Corinthian sisters were still using a physical covering. Chrysostom comments on the two types of covering.Andrew Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11682602818338988947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32248579.post-63697745828626539542015-08-08T05:03:34.164-05:002015-08-08T05:03:34.164-05:00Instead, the sign of authority Paul is talking abo...Instead, the sign of authority Paul is talking about here is a sign of privilege, right, position, and status equal to that of the man. The whole point of this passage is what is appropriate when men and women pray and prophesy. Paul assumes that women will pray and prophesy right along with the men. This point is never questioned or even discussed. It is a given. All believers will pray and prophesy together equally.<br />But since the Fall, men and women have experienced the separation caused by sin. Their interdependence and oneness were ruptured by their disobedience. The curse of that separation has meant that man would rule over woman and her desire would be for her husband. Consequently, equal status for woman is not generally accepted by the world. Therefore, a woman may need a sign, or badge, to demonstrate the authority, privilege, and right that God through Christ has bestowed on her.<br />The Greek word translated “authority” in the NIV can also be translated “right” or “privilege.” Just a few chapters earlier, Paul uses this word to speak of his rights as an apostle. The word translated “right” in verses 9:4, 5, and 12 is the same word that has been translated “authority” in 11:10. Perhaps it would help us understand what type of sign of authority Paul is referring to if we thought of the phrase as meaning “a sign or visible symbol of right, privilege, or even power,” as the KJV translates it.<br /><br />Maybe we would understand it even better if it were translated a sign of “freedom,” as translated in 1 Corinthians 8:9. This is the translation I think best fits the meaning and context of this passage. New freedom comes to all through faith. Women could now participate in worship alongside men. “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” <br /> . . . from The Full Rights of SonsKathy Stegallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15189338901356118801noreply@blogger.com