Hippies, Hoes, and Headcoverings OR Being Men and Women of Glorious Distinction.

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The biblical view of men and women is that when we work together, we can accomplish so much more. Our distinctions together bring Glory God.

For Paul the problems with the men and women were huge. The division in the church was deep, and the power of preaching was drained dry. Men were neglecting their mandate to lead and glorify God, and women were taking their liberties too far.

The Biblical pattern that brings glory to God, and reflects God’s glory in us is this: we are equal, but we are different...Our distinctions help us work and worship together for the Glory of God.

How does head-coverings demonstrate the distinction in a way that brings glory to God? in three ways:

1. Head-coverings were a universal symbol for what’s honorable for men and women. And that brings glory to God.

"The Message of 1 Corinthians (2. The Behavior of the Women (11:3–16)) In first-century Greece dress for men and women was apparently very similar, except for the women’s ‘head-covering’ (here called kalumma, or ‘veil’). This, incidentally, was not the equivalent of the Arab veil, but a covering for her hair alone. The normal, everyday dress of all Greek women included this kalumma.

The only women who did not wear them were the hetairai, who were the ‘high-class’ mistresses of influential Corinthians. Also, slaves had their heads shaved, and the same practice was enacted as punishment for convicted adulteresses. It has further been suggested that the sacred prostitutes from the local temple of Aphrodite did not wear veils.

a. dishonors his head: lit. a disappointment to Christ who is the head. In Corinth: Men were not leading out like they should. Which ends up always leaving it to the women to take up the slack. The wearing of the head-covering in worship was contrary to the custom of Jews.

b. The Problem with the men:

1. Jewish men: head-coverings came about in the inter-testament time. The basic law for men of covering the head for men is that it is forbidden to walk four cubits (about 8 feet) with an uncovered head.

It is also forbidden to say a prayer with the name of HaShem or to study Torah without a head covering. (yarmulkes) Even though the requirement to cover the head at all times is not stated in the scripture, or even in the (ancient teaching of the rabbis’) Talmud, it is nevertheless an established Jewish custom and is binding on all Jewish men even today.

i. But Paul said… this is not a biblical mandate, in fact part of the problem is not the head covering but the reality symbolized by it.... You are not acting like men.

The early church said as much:

Ver. 7. “For a man indeed ought not to have his head veiled, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God… but not only, because he hath Christ to be His Head ought he not to cover the head, but because also he rules over the woman.” --Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers 1.12: Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians (Homily XXVI) Chrysostom.

i. The early chu