(14) What is the Biblical Meaning of Offence?

Discussion over many years indicates a range of reasons which sisters give for wearing headcoverings. Some believe that by so doing they are fulfilling 1 Corinthians 11. Others consider that hats are merely decorative, and wear them because they like dressing up in “Sunday best” when they come to the meeting. Some feel uncomfortable at “dressing up”, so choose to wear a scarf or beret to conform to what is expected of them. Others would prefer not to put on any headcovering, but are pressurised into doing so because of the trouble some brothers and sisters are known to make when they see a sister without a hat. Others wear a headcovering because those who favour wearing hats claim they are “offended” by any sister who does not. Often a degree of ‘spiritual blackmail’ is exerted, implying that sisters who do not wear some form of headcovering are deliberately dishonouring Christ and jeopardising their place in the Kingdom.

“Offence” in the biblical sense means “driving someone away from Christ”. It does not mean “being upset because someone has a slightly different understanding of Bible teaching”.

Woe unto the world because of offences.... if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee... (Matthew 18:7-8, KJV)

Woe to the world for temptations to sin. ... if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it from you...                         (Matthew 18:7-8, RSV)

For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to drink flesh, not to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.                          (Romans 14:20-21, KJV)

Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make others fall by what he eats; it is right not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother stumble.                                               (Romans 14:20-21, RSV)

These verses are sometimes quoted to argue that if people disagree about headcoverings, then something should be worn so that no one is offended. The situation about eating meats was much more serious, for there was a danger that some believers would be driven from their faith altogether. It is difficult to find a modern equivalent to eating meats offered to idols. Perhaps the nearest would be of a reformed alcoholic being taken back on to drink by a brother or sister who liked to drink but who was not aware how easily the reformed alcoholic could slip back down a slippery slope.

If some feel upset at a sister not wearing a hat, it is worth observing that it would be better to be upset at the manner in which modern hats are a reversal of the teaching in 1 Corinthians 11. Strangely, little concern seems to be shown about this reversal and often no attempt is made to avoid wearing fashionable hats. The pressure exerted by some ecclesias who specify that sisters should wear “headcoverings” reinforces the misapplication as hats are always considered acceptably to fit this description. This pressure also fails to take account of the genuine feeling by many that this method of interpreting 1 Corinthians 11 is inconsistent with our normal Christadelphian approach to first century customs and looks more like the man-made rules for which Jesus criticised the Pharisees.

Offence in the biblical sense of driving people away has several times been caused by those who insist on headcoverings. We are not aware of anyone being driven away by those who believe that the wearing of hats is unbiblical. Since, however, strong feelings can be aroused on this subject, the only appropriate response is to ask sisters to act on conscience. Those who consider it right to wear a hat, should not be pressurised to refrain; those who think a plain scarf is more appropriate should not be told to wear a proper hat; those who think the correct application is nothing to do with modern head decoration should have their consciences respected and should not be pressurised.

Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin.                                                                       (James 4:17, NRSV)

Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds.                                                                                                          (Romans 14:5)

No practice on this subject will please everybody. Toleration of a variety of practice, mutual respect and restraint are required from all of us.