The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Head Coverings and more

In reply to:

---

The point of the historical background was to show that we have every reason to believe that Paul himself practiced covering his head when he prayed, even as he wrote these words.

---

If you believe this is true, then please give me a reasonable explanation of Paul's words here:

1 Corinthians 11:4 (ASV) "Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head."

Perhaps I am dense, but to me there is a clear contradiction between what you are claiming Paul must have done, i.e., cover his head when he prayed in the assemblies and what he exhorts to the saints at Corinth.

For those of us who have spent time trying to exegete this portion of Scripture, which admittedly the interpretation of which is a disputed one, Paul's argument is perspicuous and linear, starting with God's intent in His creative order in regard to men and women, then appealing to reason, and lastly showing that the practice of men not having a head covering and women wearing a head covering is the universal practice of all the churches. It seems to us, therefore that this three-fold argument is a most difficult one to refute. Turning to the consideration of Jewish custom, if were true that it was the practice of men to wear head coverings in the Temple and Synagogues; one which if not done was as serious a matter as you have stated, then would it not be reasonable to assume that Paul would have said something in this passage to the contrary to what he actually wrote by inspiration? Help me out here... !!

In His Grace,