Paul's instruction was culturally driven to avoid any appearance of immorality in Corinth.
Paul did not intend to demean women; rather, he addressed the cultural context of Corinth, where an unveiled woman might be mistaken for a prostitute or open to abuse. He consistently affirmed women's roles in ministry, as seen in Romans 16. The command was about preserving a godly witness in a pagan society.
1 Corinthians 11:5-6 — This passage directly addresses head covering, linking it to a woman's appearance and honor.
In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul says that a man ought not to cover his head, but a woman should cover her head when praying or prophesying (1 Corinthians 11:4-6). He explains that the woman is the glory of the man and that she was created for him (1 Corinthians 11:7-9). The chapter emphasizes that even nature itself teaches that long hair is a woman's covering (1 Corinthians 11:13-15). Paul contextualizes this within cultural practice, noting that such customs were common among all the churches (1 Corinthians 11:16).
Les Feldick explains that Paul's emphasis on head covering and silence was not anti-feminist but was a response to the cultural realities of Corinth, a notoriously immoral city. He points out that women in that culture were often considered inferior, and an unveiled woman could be seen as open to harassment or as a prostitute. Paul wanted Christian women to distinguish themselves from the pagan, brazen prostitutes associated with the temple of Aphrodite. Christianity, according to Les, actually elevated women to a level of equality, yet Paul instructed women to be modest and subdued in worship to avoid giving a wrong impression to the world.
Les explains that Corinth was a city with gross immorality, where a thousand temple priestesses would come into the streets at night as prostitutes. This daily exposure influenced the church, so Paul instructed women to avoid any behavior that might be mistaken for those prostitutes—being talkative, brazen, or immodest. Instead, they were to be subdued and subservient.
Les emphasizes that Christianity opened the greatest freedom for women, bringing them out of a downtrodden state. He notes that Paul commended many women in Romans 16 who helped in ministry, indicating women's involvement and worth. However, he also warns against abusing that freedom, which is why Paul's instructions about order and modesty remain relevant.
Paul Was Not Anti-Woman
Les demonstrates that Paul valued women, as seen in Romans 16, and that the cultural context of Corinth explains any harsh-sounding instructions.
Tongues, Prophecy & Order in Worship - 1 Corinthians 14:14-40 Explained
That's the way He ordained it. And so all the way up through the Old Testament, yes the woman was, to our way of thinking, almost overly subdued, but nevertheless this is still part of Paul's thinking as he deals with the Corinthian church. That the women were to recognize the fact that the man was still the head of the family, he was the head of the woman, and that she was to be subdued under tho…
The Corinthian Context
Les explains that Corinth was a wicked city with gross immorality, which explains why Paul gave specific instructions to women to avoid any appearance of ungodliness.
Christianity's Liberating Effect
Les highlights that Christianity elevated women to near equality, but warns against abusing that freedom, which is why Paul's instructions on modesty and silence were given.
Avoiding the Prostitute's Behavior
Les links Paul's command for women to be silent and subdued to the contrast with the brazen prostitutes of Corinth, so believers would not be confused with them.
What the Bible Really Says About Judging Other Christians
This is what we need today, regardless of what happens down the road prophetically. Here's where we are today. Galatians 6, verse 1. Brethren, so who is he talking to? Believers, see? So brethren, if a man, now we don't want to leave the women out. This is a generic term. Don't think for a minute that the women aren't involved in the Christian church.
The Temple Prostitutes
Les describes how 1,000 temple prostitutes came into the streets nightly, making it imperative that Christian women act and dress entirely differently to avoid wrong impressions.
What 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Really Says About Who Goes to Heaven
Now remember he's talking to believers, even these carnal people at the Church of Corinth, but they were believers. And he says, don't you know that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a prostitute? God forbid! Now you see we think this is horrible language.
1 Corinthians 11:5-6: 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. 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.
This is the direct command about head covering, showing it was a cultural sign of honor.
1 Corinthians 11:13: Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
Paul appeals to natural sense of decency, reinforcing the cultural appropriateness.
1 Corinthians 14:34: Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
This verse shows the broader instruction about women's demeanor in worship, tied to order.
Romans 16:1-2: I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
Shows Paul's high regard for women in ministry, countering the anti-feminist charge.
Les indicates that the command was given in the context of Corinth's specific cultural situation, but its principle—living in a way that doesn't cause misunderstanding—applies universally. He suggests the cultural practice was relevant then, but the underlying principle of modesty and avoiding offense is timeless.
No, Les teaches Paul promoted Christianity's liberating effect on women. He honors women in Romans 16 and supports their involvement. The instructions about silence and covering were about maintaining order and witness in a pagan culture, not about inferiority.
Watch the Teaching: Why Paul Said Women Should Cover Their Heads — 1 Corinthians 11