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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/11-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/46_1Co_11_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 11:4 - Roles in Worship" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head." /><script type="application/javascript" 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id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_corinthians/11-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/">1 Corinthians</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/11.htm">Chapter 11</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-3.htm" title="1 Corinthians 11:3">◄</a> 1 Corinthians 11:4 <a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm" title="1 Corinthians 11:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/11.htm">New International Version</a> Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/11.htm">New Living Translation</a> A man dishonors his head if he covers his head while praying or prophesying. <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Every man praying or prophesying having anything on his head dishonors his head. <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/11.htm">King James Bible</a> Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. <a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/11.htm">New King James Version</a> Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying, disgraces his head. <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying, shames his head. <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head [and the One who is his head]. <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head. <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head. <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. <a href="/cev/1_corinthians/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> This means that any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head brings shame to his head. <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Every man who covers his head when he prays or speaks what God has revealed dishonors the one who has authority over him. <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> So a man who prays or proclaims God's message in public worship with his head covered disgraces Christ. <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head, <a href="/msb/1_corinthians/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. <a href="/net/1_corinthians/11.htm">NET Bible</a> Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered disgraces his head. <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> A man who wears a veil when praying or prophesying dishonors his Head; <a href="/web/1_corinthians/11.htm">World English Bible</a> Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Every man praying or prophesying, having the head covered, dishonors his head, <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Every man praying or prophesying having anything on his head dishonors his head. <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Every man praying or prophesying, having the head covered, doth dishonour his head, <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Every man praying or prophesying, having on the head, shames his head.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered, disgraceth his head. <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered disgraces his head. <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/11.htm">New American Bible</a> Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head. <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head disgraces his head,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Every man who prays or prophesies, having his head covered, dishonors his head. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And every man who prays or prophesies while covering his head disgraces his head.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Every man that prays or prophesies, having his head covered, dishonors his head. <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Every man praying or prophesying, holding a veil over his head, dishonoureth his head; <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a> every man who prays or prophesies having his head covered, dishonoureth him who is his head: but every woman who prays <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> A man who wears a veil when praying or prophesying dishonors his Head; <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Every man, praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Every man praying or prophesying, having a veil on his head, dishonoureth Him who is his head. <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=2229" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/11.htm">Roles in Worship</a> …3But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4<a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: Pas (Adj-NMS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">Every</a> <a href="/greek/435.htm" title="435: anēr (N-NMS) -- A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.">man</a> <a href="/greek/4336.htm" title="4336: proseuchomenos (V-PPM/P-NMS) -- To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.">who prays</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or</a> <a href="/greek/4395.htm" title="4395: prophēteuōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- From prophetes; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office.">prophesies</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">with</a> <a href="/greek/2776.htm" title="2776: kephalēs (N-GFS) -- From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.">his head</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">covered</a> <a href="/greek/2617.htm" title="2617: kataischynei (V-PIA-3S) -- From kata and aischunomai; to shame down, i.e. Disgrace or put to the blush.">dishonors</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2776.htm" title="2776: kephalēn (N-AFS) -- From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.">head.</a> 5And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-34.htm">1 Corinthians 14:34-35</a> Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. / If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church. <a href="/1_timothy/2-11.htm">1 Timothy 2:11-12</a> A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. / I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet. <a href="/ephesians/5-23.htm">Ephesians 5:23-24</a> For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. <a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">1 Peter 3:1-5</a> Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. / Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, ... <a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Genesis 3:16</a> To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” <a href="/numbers/5-18.htm">Numbers 5:18</a> After the priest has the woman stand before the LORD, he is to let down her hair and place in her hands the grain offering of memorial, which is the grain offering for jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse. <a href="/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Deuteronomy 21:12</a> then you shall bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails, <a href="/isaiah/3-16.htm">Isaiah 3:16-17</a> The LORD also says: “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty—walking with heads held high and wanton eyes, prancing and skipping as they go, jingling the bracelets on their ankles— / the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.” <a href="/isaiah/47-2.htm">Isaiah 47:2-3</a> Take millstones and grind flour; remove your veil; strip off your skirt, bare your thigh, and wade through the streams. / Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.” <a href="/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Ezekiel 44:20</a> They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim their hair. <a href="/leviticus/10-6.htm">Leviticus 10:6</a> Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not let your hair become disheveled and do not tear your garments, or else you will die, and the LORD will be angry with the whole congregation. But your brothers, the whole house of Israel, may mourn on account of the fire that the LORD has ignited. <a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Leviticus 21:10</a> The priest who is highest among his brothers, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his garments. <a href="/numbers/6-5.htm">Numbers 6:5</a> For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. He must be holy until the time of his separation to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long. <a href="/judges/13-5.htm">Judges 13:5</a> For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. And no razor shall touch his head, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” <a href="/acts/18-18.htm">Acts 18:18</a> Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.or.<a href="/1_corinthians/12-10.htm">1 Corinthians 12:10,28</a> To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: … <a href="/1_corinthians/14-1.htm">1 Corinthians 14:1</a> Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.having.<a href="/1_corinthians/11-14.htm">1 Corinthians 11:14</a> Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?<a href="/2_samuel/15-30.htm">2 Samuel 15:30</a> And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.<a href="/2_samuel/19-4.htm">2 Samuel 19:4</a> But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/4-7.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-15.htm">Disgraces</a> <a href="/micah/7-6.htm">Dishonoreth</a> <a href="/micah/7-6.htm">Dishonors</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-10.htm">Dishonour</a> <a href="/micah/7-6.htm">Dishonoureth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-27.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-3.htm">Head</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-30.htm">Part</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-5.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/romans/15-30.htm">Praying</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-17.htm">Prays</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-4.htm">Prophesies</a> <a href="/romans/12-6.htm">Prophesying</a> <a href="/romans/12-6.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-7.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-30.htm">Something</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-2.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-10.htm">Veil</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-12.htm">Wears</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/11-6.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">Disgraces</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">Dishonoreth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">Dishonors</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-14.htm">Dishonour</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">Dishonoureth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-11.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">Head</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-13.htm">Part</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">Praying</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">Prays</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">Prophesies</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">Prophesying</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-3.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-35.htm">Something</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-1.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-6.htm">Veil</a> <a href="/james/2-3.htm">Wears</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 11</div>1. <a href="/1_corinthians/11-1.htm">He reproves them, because in holy assemblies,</a> 4. <a href="/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">their men prayed with their heads covered,</a> 6. <a href="/1_corinthians/11-6.htm">and women with their heads uncovered;</a> 17. <a href="/1_corinthians/11-17.htm">and because generally their meetings were not for the better, but for the worse;</a> 21. <a href="/1_corinthians/11-21.htm">as, namely, in profaning with their own feast the Lord's supper.</a> 25. <a href="/1_corinthians/11-25.htm">Lastly, he calls them to the first institution thereof.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Every man who prays or prophesies In the early Christian church, prayer and prophecy were integral parts of worship and community life. Prayer signifies communication with God, while prophecy involves speaking forth God's message, often under divine inspiration. The Apostle Paul addresses the conduct of men during these spiritual activities, emphasizing the importance of maintaining proper decorum in worship settings. This reflects the broader biblical principle of reverence and order in worship, as seen in passages like <a href="/1_timothy/2-8.htm">1 Timothy 2:8</a>, where men are encouraged to pray with holy hands lifted without anger or disputing.with his head covered In the cultural context of Corinth, head coverings held significant social and religious connotations. For men, wearing a head covering during worship could symbolize submission or shame, contrary to the cultural norms of the time. In Jewish tradition, men often covered their heads as a sign of respect and humility before God, but in the Greco-Roman world, uncovered heads were a sign of honor and authority. Paul's instruction here may reflect a desire to distinguish Christian practices from those of other religious groups and to uphold the cultural understanding of male authority and honor.dishonors his head The term "head" can be understood both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it refers to the physical head of the man, but metaphorically, it can signify authority or leadership. In <a href="/1_corinthians/11-3.htm">1 Corinthians 11:3</a>, Paul states that "the head of every man is Christ," suggesting that a man dishonors Christ by covering his head during prayer or prophecy. This act could be seen as a rejection of the authority and glory that Christ bestows upon men. The concept of honor and shame was deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of the time, and maintaining one's honor was crucial in both personal and communal contexts. This phrase underscores the importance of aligning one's actions with the established order and roles within the Christian faith, as further elaborated in <a href="/ephesians/5-23.htm">Ephesians 5:23</a>, where Christ is described as the head of the church.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing issues within the Corinthian church. 2. <a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a> A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and cultural influences, including various religious practices. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_corinthian_church.htm">The Corinthian Church</a> The recipients of Paul's letter, a Christian community grappling with issues of order and propriety in worship. 4. <a href="/topical/p/praying_and_prophesying.htm">Praying and Prophesying</a> Spiritual activities that were common in early Christian worship, involving communication with God and delivering messages from God. 5. <a href="/topical/h/head_covering.htm">Head Covering</a> A cultural practice with spiritual implications, reflecting honor and authority in the context of worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_cultural_context.htm">Understanding Cultural Context</a> Recognize the cultural significance of head coverings in the Corinthian context and how it relates to honoring authority. <a href="/topical/r/respecting_authority.htm">Respecting Authority</a> Emphasize the importance of respecting the established order of authority in both spiritual and practical aspects of life. <a href="/topical/w/worship_with_reverence.htm">Worship with Reverence</a> Encourage believers to approach worship with a heart of reverence and respect for God's established order. <a href="/topical/g/gender_roles_in_worship.htm">Gender Roles in Worship</a> Discuss the biblical perspective on gender roles within the context of worship and how they reflect God's design. <a href="/topical/a/application_of_scriptural_principles.htm">Application of Scriptural Principles</a> Consider how the principles of honor and authority can be applied in contemporary worship settings, even if cultural practices differ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 11</a> <a href="/q/should_men_wear_hats_in_church.htm">Should men wear hats in church?</a> <a href="/q/how_reconcile_1_cor_11_3-10_with_gal_3_28.htm">In 1 Corinthians 11:3-10, how can the requirement for women to cover their heads be reconciled with the claim that there is 'no male and female' in Galatians 3:28?</a> <a href="/q/why_must_women_cover_heads_in_prayer.htm">Why does the Bible say women must cover their heads when praying (1 Corinthians 11:5-6)?</a> <a href="/q/why_must_women_cover_'because_of_angels'.htm">What does 1 Corinthians 11:10 mean by women needing a head covering 'because of the angels,' and why is there no historical or scientific basis for this?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Every man praying or prophesying.--The reference here is to public prayer and teaching (the word "prophesying" is used in its less restricted sense). The Apostle probably does not allude to any case in Corinth where a man had actually taken part in a religious meeting with covered head. The Greek practice was for men to have their heads uncovered when joining in religious ceremonies (Grotius in loc.). To this practice St. Paul would incline, as being the national custom of the country, and as also being typical of the distinction between the sexes which he has just laid down. The Apostle's teaching on this subject is a remarkable illustration of how completely he had overcome his old Jewish prejudice, and how the whole of his nature had become leavened with the freedom of the gospel--for it was the custom amongst the Jews for the man to pray with covered head, and the face veiled with the Tallith, as an expression of his unworthiness to speak face to face with God. It was a profound insight into human nature which enabled the Apostle to realise how an external symbol would infallibly tend to modify doctrine, and how thus the perpetuating of such a custom in the Christian Church might have hindered the full recognition of the great truth of the personal and direct communication of every individual soul with the Father.Dishonoureth his head.--He dishonours his own head inasmuch as it is the part of his body from which Christ has taken His title as "Head of the Body," the Church--and thus he dishonours his Spiritual Head. even Christ.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Prophesying; that is, preaching. Having his head covered. This was a Jewish custom. The Jewish worshipper in praying always covers his head with his tallith. The Jew (like Orientals generally) uncovered his feet because the place on which he stood was holy ground; but he covered his head by way of humility, even as the angels veil their faces with their wings. AEneas is said by Servius to have introduced this custom into Italy. On the other hand, the Greek custom was to pray with the head uncovered. St. Paul - as some discrepancy of custom seems to have arisen - decided in favour of the Greek custom, on the high ground that Christ, by his incarnation, became man, and therefore the Christian, who is" in Christ," may stand with unveiled head in the presence of his Father. Dishonoureth his head. He dishonoureth his own head, which is as it were a sharer in the glory of Christ, who is Head of the whole Church. "We pray," says Tertullian, "with bare heads because we blush not." The Christian, being no longer a slave, but a son (<a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">Galatians 4:7</a>), may claim his part in the glory of the eternal Son. The head was covered in mourning (<a href="/2_samuel/15-30.htm">2 Samuel 15:30</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/14-13.htm">Jeremiah 14:13</a>), and the worship of the Christian is joyous. <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Every Πᾶς (Pas) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. man ἀνὴρ (anēr) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_435.htm">Strong's 435: </a> A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man. [who] prays προσευχόμενος (proseuchomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4336.htm">Strong's 4336: </a> To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship. or ἢ (ē) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. prophesies προφητεύων (prophēteuōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4395.htm">Strong's 4395: </a> From prophetes; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office. with ἔχων (echōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. [his] head κεφαλῆς (kephalēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2776.htm">Strong's 2776: </a> From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively. covered κατὰ (kata) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). dishonors καταισχύνει (kataischynei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2617.htm">Strong's 2617: </a> From kata and aischunomai; to shame down, i.e. Disgrace or put to the blush. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. head. κεφαλὴν (kephalēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2776.htm">Strong's 2776: </a> From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">1 Corinthians 11:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">1 Corinthians 11:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">1 Corinthians 11:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">1 Corinthians 11:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">1 Corinthians 11:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">1 Corinthians 11:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">1 Corinthians 11:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">1 Corinthians 11:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">1 Corinthians 11:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">1 Corinthians 11:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-4.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying having his (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 11:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 11:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 11:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 11:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>