What happens when a woman is veiled in the Middle East?
When a woman is veiled in the Middle East, she retreats into a world all her own. Even the bravest men recognize that a veiled woman is not to be touched, which protects her from the verbal abuse, snide remarks, and various attacks that an unveiled woman faces.
Les explains that in Middle Eastern culture, an unveiled woman is open to anything—verbal abuse, snide remarks, and even various types of attack as she walks down the street. But if she is veiled, she retreats into a world all her own, and even the bravest of men in the Middle East will recognize that she is not to be touched. Les points out that this cultural reality is why Paul tells the Corinthian believers to be careful how they handle the situation, lest the world around them misinterpret. He also notes that we must take these cultures into view when interpreting Scripture.