The “Context” Interpretation

The following is based on the RSV translation, assuming that the passage should be read as a whole, that it contains Paul’s own words, and that he was not quoting or paraphrasing comments from people at Corinth.[1]  We have expanded as we think Paul would have done had he been asked, taking into account the context of the times and attempting to solve many of the problems of interpretation listed on pages 14-20. The suggested explanatory comments are in italics within the square brackets. We start with chapter 10 from verse 31, where Paul is encouraging every one to behave in a manner which brings glory to God, and to take care not to cause offence in any direction.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offence to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. [If any of you Corinthian wives think that, because you can pray and prophesy just as your husbands do, you are thereby independent from your husbands, note that this is not the way things are. Your husbands are not independent in themselves, for they have Christ as their head, nor is Christ independent for he has God as his head. Similarly each one of you has your husband as your head and it is necessary when you are addressing the brothers and sisters in praying or prophesying that you dress in the recognised manner as respectable married women.] Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonours his head, [because this is how Romans worship their gods and you brothers must not give the impression of worshipping pagan gods. Your head is Christ.] but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled[2] dishonours her head [i.e. her husband] – it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her wear a veil. [For otherwise you give the impression that you are like women accused of adultery or like Corinthian prostitutes, who do not show allegiance to husbands and some of whom cut their hair short to look like men and to demonstrate their independence from men.]  For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; [As it says in Genesis 2, God made a man, moulding dust into an image and breathing into it the breath of life. A man should therefore act so as to give God glory, showing his proper relationship to God his creator. Therefore he must not follow the pagan Roman practice of wearing a veil when he prays or prophesies, for this gives the impression that he acknowledges not his creator but the Roman gods.] but woman is the glory of man. [By wearing a veil she honours her husband in public and shows that she respects him and her marriage vows to him.] For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. [Eve from Adam.] Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. [Eve was created because it was “not good that the man should be alone” and husband and wife should be “one flesh”. It is therefore not appropriate for wives to reject their married state or act in a manner which could be thought to be rejecting their married state.] That is why a woman ought to have authority on her head, because of the angels. [The angels are God’s agents and are concerned to see proper order in society. By wearing her veil a wife has the authority of a married woman, authority in this instance to stand respectably in the meeting and speak in praying or prophesying.] Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. [So far I have been talking about husbands and wives. However, although Eve was created from Adam, men are now born from women, which illustrates the interdependence of men and women – we are all created by God – and in the ecclesia sisters are not independent of the brothers nor vice-versa. Both pray and prophesy, but what is important is that when doing so, no impression is given that wives do not support the God-given institution of marriage. For speaking in public is not normally considered acceptable for wives. When there is so much immorality in society it is important that we believers set a high standard. While, therefore, you have new freedom in Christ, it is important not to act in such a way that believers could appear to be making light of marriage. As I said above, “Whether you eat or drink, whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offence to Jews or to Greeks or to the ecclesia of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31-32)] Judge for yourselves; is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? [You are sensible people; make your own judgment. You know what is considered proper in respectable society.] Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is degrading to him, [By nature man is masculine. I consider that men should not grow their hair long and look like women.] but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? [Naturally long hair is a sign in our society that the woman is respectable; only immoral women cut their hair short.] For her [long] hair is given to her for a covering. [Nature thus agrees with what is considered respectable: a wife should keep her hair long and cover her head with it as is considered respectable.] If anyone is disposed to be contentious, we recognise no other practice, nor do the churches of God. [Normal practice amongst all the ecclesias is for the brothers who pray and prophesy to do so without the Roman-style covering, for the women who pray and prophesy to do so wearing their veils to indicate their married status;  brothers keep their hair short, sisters their hair long. If anyone wants to be contentious about this, please act as I instructed above when I said that I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.]