1 Corinthians 11 7

1 Corinthians 11:7 kjv

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

1 Corinthians 11:7 nkjv

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

1 Corinthians 11:7 niv

A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

1 Corinthians 11:7 esv

For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.

1 Corinthians 11:7 nlt

A man should not wear anything on his head when worshiping, for man is made in God's image and reflects God's glory. And woman reflects man's glory.

1 Corinthians 11 verses

1 Corinthians 11 7 Meaning

A man ought not to cover his head because he is the image and glory of God, but a woman ought to cover her head because she is the glory of man. This verse articulates a principle regarding head coverings during worship, connecting it to the relationship between God, man, and woman, and their respective roles within God's created order. It highlights the created status of man as directly reflecting God's image and glory, while woman's created nature is seen as reflecting man's glory, underscoring a specific relational dynamic within the context of public worship.

1 Corinthians 11 7 Context

This verse is situated within a broader discussion in 1 Corinthians 11 concerning worship practices, specifically addressing issues of conduct and propriety for men and women in the church. The immediate context (verses 2-16) focuses on the practice of men and women praying and prophesying in worship gatherings. Paul is correcting perceived disorderliness and affronts to the established order and decency that were emerging in the Corinthian church. He begins by affirming their adherence to traditions, then proceeds to lay out principles concerning headship and appearance, linking them to divine order, creation, and even angelic order. Chapter 10 had addressed idolatry and issues related to the Lord's Supper, setting a tone for matters of communal practice and purity.

Historically, the practice of women covering their heads during public religious activities was common in the Greco-Roman world, often signifying modesty and respectability, or even being linked to pagan cultic practices. Within Judaism, prominent women might cover their hair as a sign of marital status and modesty. Paul's instruction here appears to be engaging with these existing cultural norms while grounding his counsel in a theological framework related to creation and the Christian understanding of God's design for male and female relationships.

1 Corinthians 11 7 Word Analysis

• ἀνὴρ (aner): Man, husband. Refers to a male human being, emphasizing his societal and relational role.
• ἀφιέται (aphietai): Ought not to cover / must not cover. A strong prohibition.
• κεφαλῆς (kephalēs): Head. Literal head, but also signifies headship, authority, or source.
• καλύπτειν (kaluptien): To cover, to veil, to hide.
• εἰκὼν (eikōn): Image, likeness. A representation or resemblance.
• δόξα (doxa): Glory, honor, splendor, radiance. Manifestation of God's presence and attributes.
• γυνή (gynē): Woman, wife. Refers to a female human being, specifically in her relationship to man.
• δόξα (doxa): Glory, honor, splendor. Here specifically in relation to man.

Words/Groups of Words Analysis:

• "A man ought not to cover his head": This phrase directly instructs men against covering their heads during public worship. The Greek implies a failure to recognize or manifest their status as being directly in the image and glory of God if they do so.
• "image and glory of God": These terms point to man's created position as God's representative on earth and the divine radiance or manifestation that God intended him to possess. Man, in his natural state of being, is seen as directly reflecting God's created order and authority.
• "but the woman ought to cover her head": This is a direct contrast and instruction for women. The Greek suggests it is fitting and proper for her to wear a covering.
• "the glory of man": This phrase describes woman's position in relation to man, mirroring his created role. As man is the image and glory of God, woman, created from man, is presented as reflecting or displaying the glory of man, which in turn is ordered under God's authority. The covering becomes a symbol of this relational position in worship.

1 Corinthians 11 7 Bonus Section

The phrase "image and glory of God" for man links directly to the creation accounts in Genesis, where humanity, both male and female, is created in God's image (Gen 1:27). However, this verse uniquely emphasizes man as the direct image and glory, which has led to various interpretations. Some see it as highlighting man's original, unfallen state of authority, while others interpret "glory" in this context as reflecting outward honor and representation. The "glory of man" for woman suggests she is the channel through which man's divinely appointed role and representation is further reflected. The reference to angels suggests that this order of headship and covering is also acknowledged in the heavenly realms, implying that improper conduct in worship can disrupt this cosmic harmony or offend spiritual beings. The practice of covering was tied to expressions of worship and teaching, aiming to maintain spiritual integrity and order in the church's gatherings.

1 Corinthians 11 7 Commentary

This verse asserts a principle of head covering in worship, rooted in the creation order. Men, as direct images and glory of God, should not cover their heads, signifying their unhindered connection to God's manifested glory. Women, reflecting the glory of man, are to cover their heads. This covering is seen as an acknowledgment of the relational structure God established, where man is directly under God's image and authority, and woman is directly related to man's glory and authority. The covering is not an indication of shame or inferiority in value, but a symbolic expression of order and relationship within the community of faith during communal prayer and prophecy. This principle extends to the worship gathered setting and is intended to promote decency, order, and reverence. It serves as a visible manifestation of a theological truth about creation and submission, which is further explained by references to angelic order and the Fall. The intention is not to subordinate woman, but to underscore the distinct roles and relational aspects God instituted.