How does a veil protect a woman in the Middle East?
A veil protects a woman in the Middle East by marking her as not to be touched, even by the boldest men. An unveiled woman is exposed to verbal abuse, snide remarks, and various attacks. Once veiled, she retreats into a world of her own, and that cultural signal shields her from harassment and harm.
Les explains that in Middle Eastern culture, an unveiled woman is open to verbal abuse, snide remarks, and even various types of attack. But a veiled woman retreats into a world all her own, and even the boldest men recognize she is not to be touched. This cultural setting matters because Paul tells the Corinthian believers to be careful how they handle such matters, lest outsiders misinterpret. The same principle applies in many areas today: believers must be careful how they do things.