Are you confused about head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11? You're not alone. This passage has sparked countless debates among Christians, leaving many wondering: Is a woman's hair enough of a covering, or does she need something additional?
After years of studying this chapter and fielding questions from fellow believers, I've discovered something important. The real issue isn't about hair at all—it's about following Christ.
The Problem: We're Missing the Forest for the Trees
Here's what happens when Christians approach 1 Corinthians 11: We get so focused on hair length and head coverings that we completely miss Paul's main point. We argue about cloth versus hair, long versus short, covered versus uncovered—and in the process, we lose sight of Jesus Christ.
I've been asked countless times over the past three years: "Is hair the woman's covering, or does she need an additional covering?" Every single time I answer based on face-value Bible reading, the response is the same: "I used to understand it that way too, but..."
But what? When did we stop trusting what the Bible says plainly?
What Scripture Actually Says (Without the Confusion)
Let's look at what's abundantly clear in 1 Corinthians 11 before we get tangled up in debates:
The Three Heads (Verse 3)
"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." - 1 Corinthians 11:3
There's a clear distinction here: three heads with different roles and relationships.
The Nature Principle (Verses 14-15)
"Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering." - 1 Corinthians 11:14-15
What's clear here? A woman's hair IS given to her for a covering. It's so obvious that even nature teaches us—men typically have shorter hair, women longer hair.
A Simple Bible Study Method
Want to understand what "covering" means in Scripture? Let's use the Bible to interpret the Bible:
Genesis 7:20 - "Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail, and the mountains were covered." (Covered with what? Water)
Genesis 24:65 - "Therefore she took a vail, and covered herself." (Covered with what? A vail)
Exodus 8:6 - "And the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt." (Covered with what? Frogs)
See the pattern? When the Bible says something is covered, it tells us what it's covered WITH.
In 1 Corinthians 11:15, when it says "her hair is given her for a covering," the covering IS the hair.
The Real Heart of the Matter: Following Christ
But here's where we need to step back and see the bigger picture. Look at how Paul starts this whole discussion:
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 11:1
This isn't about hair—it's about following Jesus Christ.
Paul continues: "Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them unto you." - 1 Corinthians 11:2
Notice that? Praise. Paul found something to praise them for, even though they had problems. He didn't start with criticism—he started with encouragement.
Why This Matters for Your Christian Life
1. We Need to Focus on Christ, Not Debates
Every commentary, every expositor, every preacher (myself included)—we're all "scrambled eggs" without Christ. We have the Word of God as truth, but we need to be careful: Is God's Word showing us something, or did some system of theology talk us into something we couldn't find in the Bible by just reading it?
2. We Need to Love Each Other
"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" - 1 Peter 1:22
Why are we giving other Christians a hard time about what they wear or don't wear? How about focusing on unfeigned love instead of fault-finding?
3. We Need to Live Right All the Time
The Corinthians had problems when they came together because they weren't living right Monday through Saturday. What are you doing Monday through Saturday? If we're pure and holy before the Lord all the time, it makes Sunday so much sweeter.
The Bottom Line: It's About Christ
Here's what I want you to understand: Whether you believe a woman's hair is sufficient covering or that she needs something additional—that's not the main point.
The main point is following Christ.
If someone's following Christ, praise them
If someone's imitating the Lord, praise them
If someone wants to go above and beyond in serving God, don't stop them—praise God!
"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever." - 1 Peter 1:24-25
You're nothing but a blade of grass that's going to die. I'm nothing but a blade of grass that's going to die. What legacy are we going to leave?
It better be about Christ.
Your Next Step: Stop Fighting, Start Following
Instead of getting caught up in contentious debates about head coverings, ask yourself:
Am I following Christ with my whole heart?
Am I showing love to my fellow believers?
Am I living for God Monday through Saturday, not just Sunday?
Am I praising others when they're trying to imitate Jesus?
That's what 1 Corinthians 11 is really about. It's not about hair—it's about the precious blood of Christ and living lives that honor Him.
🎧📖 Want to Hear the Complete Teaching?
This blog post only scratches the surface of this powerful expository preaching on 1 Corinthians 11. For the full verse-by-verse bible teaching and to hear the pastor's complete heart on this topic, listen to the entire sermon here: [Listen to Full Message]
You'll get the complete context, additional biblical insights, and the passionate heart of a pastor who wants you to focus on Christ above everything else!