Custom vs Law

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

² I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you. ³ But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. ⁴ A man dishonors his head if he covers his head while praying or prophesying. ⁵ But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head. ⁶ Yes, if she refuses to wear a head covering, she should cut off all her hair! But since it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or her head shaved, she should wear a covering.

⁷ 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. ⁸ For the first man didn’t come from woman, but the first woman came from man. ⁹ And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man. ¹⁰ For this reason, and because the angels are watching, a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority.

¹¹ But among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women. ¹² For although the first woman came from man, every other man was born from a woman, and everything comes from God.

¹³ Judge for yourselves. Is it right for a woman to pray to God in public without covering her head? ¹⁴ Isn’t it obvious that it’s disgraceful for a man to have long hair? ¹⁵ And isn’t long hair a woman’s pride and joy? For it has been given to her as a covering. ¹⁶ But if anyone wants to argue about this, I simply say that we have no other custom than this, and neither do God’s other churches.

I have to say I find this passage a struggle to understand.  Here I sit with long hair, and I never wear a head covering to Church or outside – unless I need a sun hat!!!

In this passage in Verse 16 Paul says, “I simply say that we have no other CUSTOM than this …”  Head coverings or not, is a custom, not a law.  Today we see Islamic women wearing hijabs, in London we use to see “gentleman” always wearing hats, in India today many women cover their heads to pray and worship God …

Verse 12 says, “For although the first woman came from man, every other man has come from woman, and everything comes from God.”  This passage to me highlights that at creation, when God designed woman for man and man for woman, that there is a now an equality.  We are created beings.

Jesus amazes me, He could have just come to earth in power and glory from heaven, BUT NO, He made His entrance into this world through a poor, young, “insignificant” woman, Mary, who was already betrothed to a carpenter, Joseph.  He chooses faithful, insignificant people to bring about the most defining moment in history.  He chose to be born like you and me, not in power.

I am reminded of the story of a tapestry, so often our lives look messy, tangled, knotted, and a variety of colours reflecting our ups and downs, … however, God is making on the other side a beautiful, amazing and unique picture of our lives.  One day that tapestry will be revealed …

Jesus thank you for loving me.  Thank you for being in my world through your Holy Spirit.  I leave my future in your hands.  I trust you Jesus.  Amen

Written by Ps. Sue Botta