Heads & Coverings: A Tradition, A Symbol - Comments (4)

Category: Articles,Doctrine
Author: John Malone
Date: 18th March, 2004 @ 09:25:06 PM

Of all the things to argue about in Christian practice, the head covering/uncovering is NOT one. A quite remarkable statement puts an end to the controversy men would inflame.

1st Corinthians 11

³ But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
⁴ Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
⁵ But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
⁶ For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
⁷ For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
⁸ For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
⁹ Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
¹⁰ For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
¹¹ Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
¹² For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
¹³ Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
¹⁴ Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
¹⁵ But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
¹⁶ But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

This verse ends the discussion of the first of two traditions (ordinances) that the churches of God have: the head covering/uncovering, and the Lord’s supper. These are NOT the traditions of men, but of the churches of God. But what is perhaps more remarkable is this final verse which says, really: “This is not something to contend about.”

An ordinance, or “tradition”, is something “handed over” to be securely kept. Therefore, when it is an apostolic tradition, it is a test of faithfulness to keep it. The apostolic traditions given to the churches are by definition intended to be kept, and they are therefore not found in the context of things passing away, as are sign gifts, such as tongues, knowledge, and prophecy. When we read a letter to the model “carnal” church, Corinth, as well as a model faithful church, Thessalonica, in each case they are praised for, or exhorted to, keep the traditions delivered to them.

So why the controversy? I want to suggest two reasons: (1) because of the age we live in, and (2) because of the remarkable truth symbolized by the covering and lack thereof.

First, the age we live in. We live in man’s day, when evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse. We can see the time when the love of many will wax cold. We can foresee easily that, when the Son of Man returns, he will NOT find faith in the earth. It’s a day when people will not endure sound teaching, but instead will select their own teachers who tell them what they want to hear. in short, it is the day of “the departure.”

In such a day as we live, what should we expect about faithfulness in handling that which has been passed along? We should expect man’s traditions to be adopted, and the church traditions – even though very few – perhaps only two, each found in 1st Corinthians 11 – to be abandoned. This age began with praise for keeping them found in the apostle’s time, and end with the Lord OUTSIDE of HIS OWN HOUSE, soliciting individual fellowship in the absence of corporate faithfulness. We are near those last days.

Second, what the symbol represents. The symbol of the head covering stands above others concerning the subject of the glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are few Christian symbols, despite the inventions of men. There is water baptism, symbolizing the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our subsequent identification with Him in His death burial, and resurrection. There are the elements of the Lord’s supper, the cup, and the loaf, symbolizing His body both physical and mystical, the efficacy of His shed blood, and His absence.

But it is the head covering which symbolizes, not only to those here below who understand it, but to the angels in the heavenly places, the glorification and Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ which were at once accomplished when he was glorified and adored in the heavens, as His Father said, “Thy throne, O God, is forever,”; and “Let all the angels worship Him.”

The head covering is about glory, and who gets it. The glory of the woman is her hair. The glory of the man is the woman. The glory of Christ is the man. The glory of God is Christ. The purpose of the church which is His body is to “reveal” (= take the veil away!) the truth that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. In order for that to be effectively expressed, mans’ glory must be veiled, which is the woman, who must first veil her glory, which is her hair.

It is equally important that the man be uncovered, so that the glory of Christ is unveiled.

It is interesting to note that, while there appears to be all manner of controversy around the woman being covered, few if any men are busy trying to wear hats in Christian church meetings.

But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

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