1 Corinthians 11 10

1 Corinthians 11:10 kjv

For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

1 Corinthians 11:10 nkjv

For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

1 Corinthians 11:10 niv

It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.

1 Corinthians 11:10 esv

That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

1 Corinthians 11:10 nlt

For this reason, and because the angels are watching, a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority.

1 Corinthians 11 verses

1 Corinthians 11 10 Meaning

A woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, signifying her submission to her husband and her rightful place in the divinely ordained order. This sign of authority is symbolic of her spiritual covering.

1 Corinthians 11 10 Context

In 1 Corinthians chapter 11, Paul is addressing issues of worship and order in the Corinthian church. Specifically, he is discussing the practices of men and women praying and prophesying during worship services. This verse, along with the preceding and succeeding verses, focuses on the outward expression of a woman's spiritual covering or authority, which is tied to the concept of headship within the household and the church. The cultural backdrop in Corinth involved various philosophical ideas and pagan cults, some of which may have influenced the Corinthians' understanding of public expression, gender roles, and worship. There's a perceived challenge to the established social and spiritual order that Paul is seeking to correct and guide.

1 Corinthians 11 10 Word analysis

• But (Greek: de -δέ): A conjunction indicating contrast or transition, signifying a move to a new but related point.
• a woman (Greek: gunaike - γυναικί): Feminine noun in the dative case, referring to "woman" or "wife."
• ought (Greek: opheilei - ὀφείλει): Verb in the third person singular present active indicative of opheilo (ὀφείλω), meaning "to owe," "to be bound," or "to ought." It conveys a moral or obligatory duty.
• to have (Greek: echein - ἔχειν): Present active infinitive of echo (ἔχω), meaning "to hold," "to possess," or "to have."
• a sign (Greek: semeion - σημεῖον): Noun in the accusative case, meaning "sign," "token," "mark," or "miracle." In this context, it refers to a visible symbol.
• of (Greek: epithesma - ἐπίθεμα): Noun in the genitive case, referring to something placed upon or over; a covering or ornament.
• authority (Greek: exousia - ἐξουσία): Noun in the genitive case, meaning "authority," "power," "right," or "liberty." The grammatical construction epithesma exousias means "a covering of authority" or "authority's covering."
• on (Greek: epi - ἐπί): Preposition governing the accusative case, indicating motion or position upon. Here, it is used in conjunction with kekekalyphmeni (κεκαλυμμένῃ).
• her head (Greek: kephales - κεφαλῆς): Feminine noun in the genitive case, meaning "head."

words-group by words-group analysis

• a sign of authority (semeion exousias - σημεῖον ἐξουσίας): This phrase is crucial. It suggests that what is to be worn is not merely a symbol of submission, but a mark that inherently signifies legitimate authority. The authority in question is linked to the woman's position and identity within God's order. It is an "authority sign."
• authority on her head (exousia epi tes kephales - ἐξουσία ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς): This can be interpreted as authority exercised from her head, or authority recognized on her head. The latter fits the context of a head covering. It is a visible token that speaks of her status.
• a sign of her authority: The covering is to function as a token. This token communicates something about her rightful place and recognition.

1 Corinthians 11 10 Bonus section

The word epithesma (ἐπίθεμα) is rare and could refer to a veil, scarf, or anything worn over the head as a covering. The concept of "authority" (exousia) associated with the covering is often debated: is it her own authority that she covers out of modesty/submission, or is it a symbol of the authority by which she is covered (e.g., her husband's authority or God's authority through her submission)? The most common interpretation within Christian scholarship emphasizes the covering as a sign of her coveredness, representing her subjection to lawful authority (primarily her husband, and by extension, God's order in the church), which indirectly points to her honorable status and right standing before God when operating within that framework. This act would distinguish believers from certain unchurched women of Corinth who did not wear head coverings in public, thereby serving as a distinct marker of Christian identity. The mention of the Holy Spirit being on women, as seen in 1 Corinthians 11:5, highlights that their ministry is divinely empowered, thus emphasizing that this requirement for a covering is about order, not the quenching of spiritual gifts.

1 Corinthians 11 10 Commentary

Paul is advocating for women to wear a head covering during public prayer and prophecy in the Corinthian church. This act is described as "a sign of authority" on her head. The reasoning presented elsewhere in the chapter (e.g., concerning creation order and nature) links this covering to her status as a woman and her place within the divine framework of headship – particularly her relationship to her husband as reflecting Christ's headship over the church. The covering serves as a visible acknowledgement of her covered position or "coveredness" and the recognition of appropriate authority structures. It's not meant to stifle her voice in ministry, as earlier verses clearly permit women to pray and prophesy. Instead, it's about the manner and symbolism of their public participation, reflecting spiritual order and modesty within that context.

practical usage

• Understanding the principle of headship and submission in biblical marriage.
• Recognizing the importance of appropriate dress and demeanor in public worship to honor God and the established order.
• Considering how outward actions can reflect an inner spiritual reality and commitment to biblical principles.