1 Corinthians 11:4 kjv
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
1 Corinthians 11:4 nkjv
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.
1 Corinthians 11:4 niv
Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.
1 Corinthians 11:4 esv
Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head,
1 Corinthians 11:4 nlt
A man dishonors his head if he covers his head while praying or prophesying.
1 Corinthians 11 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 11:5 | But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. | Head covering, female honor |
| 1 Corinthians 11:10 | It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. | Head covering, female authority |
| 1 Corinthians 11:13 | Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? | Head covering, propriety of prayer |
| 1 Corinthians 3:23 | and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God. | Christ's headship, divine order |
| Ephesians 5:23 | For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is a part of. | Husband/wife headship |
| Ephesians 4:23 | ...and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, | Renewal of mind in worship |
| 1 Timothy 2:8 | I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. | Prayer posture, reverent attitude |
| Numbers 6:18 | And the Nazirite shall shave his head at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and take the hair of his head and put it on the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offering. | Nazirite vow, shaved head |
| Leviticus 10:10 | so that you may distinguish between the holy and the unholy, and between the unclean and the clean, | Distinction between holy/unholy |
| Isaiah 5:16 | But the Lord of hosts will be exalted by judgment, and the Holy God will be sanctified by righteousness. | God's holiness, judgment |
| Acts 17:25 | nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. | God's self-sufficiency in worship |
| Romans 1:20 | For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so they are without excuse. | God's attributes visible |
| John 1:18 | No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. | Christ revealing God |
| Galatians 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Unity in Christ |
| 1 Corinthians 12:12 | For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also Christ. | Body of Christ, diversity of gifts |
| Romans 11:36 | For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. | All glory to God |
| Colossians 1:18 | And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. | Christ's headship over the church |
| Matthew 5:16 | Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. | Glorifying God through actions |
| 1 Corinthians 10:31 | Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. | Doing all to God's glory |
| Philippians 4:18 | Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. | Acceptable sacrifice to God |
| 1 Peter 2:5 | you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. | Spiritual sacrifices |
1 Corinthians 11 verses
1 Corinthians 11 4 Meaning
The verse signifies that any man praying or prophesying with his head covered dishonors his head, which refers to Christ. This implies a disruption of the proper order and authority established by God in worship.
1 Corinthians 11 4 Context
This verse is found within the broader discussion in 1 Corinthians chapter 11 concerning worship, particularly addressing issues related to public prayer and prophecy. Paul is providing instruction on behavior and appearance during congregational worship, likely in response to disorderly practices within the Corinthian church. The immediate context (verses 2-16) focuses on the symbolism of head coverings for men and women. Paul emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper order and acknowledging God's created order and authority structures during worship, reflecting cultural understandings and theological principles of his time.
1 Corinthians 11 4 Word Analysis
- Panta (πάντα): All, every. This word signifies that the instruction applies universally to every man within the Corinthian assembly.
- andron (ἀνδρῶν): Man, men (plural genitive). Refers specifically to the male members of the church.
- proseuchomenon (προσευχόμενον): Praying. Refers to the act of prayer, addressing God.
- prophetoumenon (προφητεύοντα): Prophesying. Refers to speaking forth God's message, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
- katakalyptomenon (κατακαλυπτόμενον): Covered, veiled. Indicates covering the head. The implication is the head is covered from top to bottom.
- katischa (κατίσχυε): Dishonors, shames, puts to shame. Denotes an act of disrespect or disgrace.
- kefalēs (κεφαλῆς): Head. This term is central to the passage, representing Christ's headship and also signifying the literal head.
Words-Group Analysis
- "Any man praying or prophesying": This highlights the active participation of men in the worship service, leading in prayer and inspired utterance. The instruction applies to any male engaging in these vocal contributions.
- "with his head covered": This refers to a specific practice of covering the head while praying or prophesying. This is contrasted with the expected norm.
- "dishonors his head": This is a crucial phrase linking the man's action to a loss of honor for his "head." Given the theological context that follows, this "head" primarily signifies Christ, the ultimate head of every man. It could also allude to the literal head and the associated social/cultural understanding of order.
1 Corinthians 11 4 Bonus Section
The practice of uncovering the head in prayer, particularly for men, aligns with the understanding of worship as a direct encounter with God and a public declaration of allegiance to Christ. The concept of "headship" (kephale) in Paul's letters is complex, referring to authority, source, or head of the body. In this context, the man's head (literal and symbolic) is seen as accountable to Christ. The act of covering the head by a man would imply that he is not acknowledging Christ as his ultimate authority or that he is acting in a manner unbecoming of his role in worship. The reference to "dishonoring his head" can also be understood in light of how actions in worship reflect on God's reputation. Any impropriety can be seen as bringing dishonor to the divine.
1 Corinthians 11 4 Commentary
The verse asserts that a man praying or prophesying with his head covered acts in a way that brings dishonor to Christ, his head. This suggests that the covering is an inappropriate symbol or gesture in the context of public worship, contrary to the divine order. This instruction is not merely about social convention but has a deeper theological significance regarding the recognition of Christ's authority. In the Greco-Roman world, covering one's head was often a sign of mourning, subservience to another deity, or shame. Paul's instruction emphasizes that Christian men in worship should not adopt practices that symbolize these concepts, but rather embody respect for Christ's headship and the established order.