Coverings and Hats
Those that claim that a women must wear a hat in church, and men must have short hair look to 1 Corinthians chapter 11. The Greek Orthodox church has even claimed that the covering spoken of is a veil.
If so, what about?
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.
Acts 15:28-29 NKJV
Paul, and the church at Jerusalem never speaks of coverings, hats, veils, long hair, dresses, pants, etc. They agree on a very short rules of conduct.
If Paul is teaching all Churches what he gave to Corinth, why did he not also propose the same teaching to be included in the letter being sent to the church in Antioch, Syrian and Cilicia?
Two possible reasons…
There are a number theories about why Paul wrote what he did in 1 Corinthians chapter 11. Two come to mind…
First,
The reason for a women to wear a hat (covering) and have long hair as well as a man should not wear a hat in church and have short hair is a local consideration. Perhaps, the culture in Corinth needed to have this spiritual application. But, if it is local, it does not apply to the rest of the church geographically. It also would therefore not apply to the church in other historical periods.
Second,
The reason that Paul wrote was not really about wearing a hat, nor about hair length. Perhaps, we have missed the real point that Paul was talking about, and that being the relationship between, Man, Women, and God.
I have been stuck on the simple word κατα used in this chapter. It means to let down, or bring down. Most translators say it refers to a covering and therefore is talking about a hat. The Greek Orthodox says it refers to a covering, but the meaning is a veil. Thayer says the correct rendition is veil.
For another time…
The Greek phrase κατα κεφαλης εχων is the phrase that I will take a closer look at over the future. At that time, I will report my thoughts on this phrase, the meaning, and the way I personally think this is applied.
Teachers, preparation…
And moreover, because the TEACHER was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. The TEACHER sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.
Ecclesiastes 12:9-11 NKJV
In a class for the teachers the Pastor teaching us used this verse. He changed the word “Preacher” into “teacher”. That is reasonable, but I thought you should know that the word really is “Preacher”.
He wanted us to know that just as a Preacher, who is also called as a teacher of God’s word, we as teachers can benefit from the same advice.
Don’t just learn it, do it!
We study, we learn, we regurgitate. But do we put it into action?
The Bible tells us:
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22 NKJV
השער 