Why Consider Head Covering?

Overview

Have you read 1 Corinthians 11 and wondered what it means?

Maybe you’ve been curious why Mennonite ladies (and some other Christian women) often wear a head covering?

Perhaps you’ve seen pictures from Christian history that featured women wearing a garment on their heads?

If you’re looking for answers, you’ve come to the right place.

Common First Questions

What’s the motivation for head covering?

• True, this topic probably hasn’t come up lately in your pastor’s sermons (at least in most modern churches).
• However, the practice of Christian head covering is taught in the New Testament, and has been followed for most of Christian history.
• God’s instructions about head covering are worth a read. Yes, this passage actually means what it says.

But is covering actually important?

• Head covering is certainly less important than many other truths & practices taught in Scripture.
• However, the Apostle Paul did spend half of a chapter explaining head covering.
• He gave 5 specific reasons for the practice. Plus, its principles relate to several hot-button topics nowadays.
• Head covering is not really about a piece of cloth anyway. A symbol (like a wedding ring) is something physical that points to spiritual truths. Most Christians are used to other symbolic practices like baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Similarly, the value of head covering is in the spiritual truths that it symbolizes.

Was covering a local custom of the Corinthians?

• Time to check the history books! Paul’s instructions about Christian head covering were actually counter-cultural in his day.
• Further, it’s well-documented that Christianity has been practicing head covering for 2000 years, and that it generally went out-of-favor only within the last 150 years.
• The Bible actually provides universal reasons for head covering, as well as referencing its universal practice (before some churches stopped practicing it.)

Let Scripture Speak

• People often have strong opinions about topics like head covering. However, it’s important to let God’s Word speak louder than individual opinions.

• If you haven’t pondered this passage of Scripture before, you’ll probably have several questions. To learn more, you can continue clicking “Next” at the bottom of the page.

• Or simply jump into one of the topics listed on the left. Reading this on your phone? Just tap the 3-line menu button at the top-right.

• Don’t forget the most important part: “Application.” When you gain a decent sense about what 1 Corinthians 11 is teaching, then apply what you’ve learned. God’s Word has good direction because it comes to us from a good God.