Concerning First Corinthians 11:10

[Charles E. Burns Jr.]

 

 

With much controversy surrounding the issue of what Paul was getting at concerning a woman’s hair in the book of I Corinthians Chapter 11 which reads:

“1Co 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.”

 

The word that Paul is using in the Greek means “mastery” or “delegated influence”. It is a choice on the woman’s part to possess and seize an opportunity to have influence by way of displaying DISTINCTION.

Below is something that I shared on an Apostolic blog concerning this matter:

 

 

On the topic of HAIR in I Corinthians 11:10 the scripture is aiming to make a distinction both in roles and in distinguishing strength sources found in the manner in which ministry is illustrated. Unless we make a distinction between the man and woman, whereas in today's society the lines are blurred or at least attempted, we lose touch with what makes a woman unique and what makes a man unique and lose touch with their purpose and function.
The most powerful tool, or rather impact, a woman has in a relationship is her INFLUENCE. If it is viewed that somehow this is not important, whereas sometimes it is inadvertently overlooked in the mere pursuit to survive, because of women emulating men then women lose their ultimate place of effectiveness, INFLUENCE.
Sure, women can compete and in some arenas excel with or beyond their male counterparts but a world with either men only or women only is a wrecked place.

So then, a woman not being ashamed to bare her distinction (as opposed to bearing her distinction as a burden) is truly powerful indeed same as if we openly show CHRIST as opposed to trying to assimilate the World are we then truly powerful. Therefore it is shown in our distinction rather living a separated (sanctified) life in CHRIST the true power of our testimony and acceptable glory unto the LORD is revealed. Whereas many see it a matter of awkwardness or labor in displaying a dissimilar lifestyle from that of the World it is necessary to do so that we may remain identifiable from those who are unregenerated in order that we might win some to JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Our strength is not like that of the World in bold statements through fashion, faddism (short-lived) or cultural idioms (embedded in ethnic identity) but exemplified in our resemblance to the Word of GOD in all of our dimensional aspects.

Just as a woman should be as womanly as she possibly can and in that she has influence to elevate her man among men [Proverbs 31:23] (same as a man should be manly according to the condemnation listed in I Corinthians 6:9 for a man being otherwise) a believer should “Look” like a believer as much as we possibly can so that no one gets the wrong idea of which side we stand and that we might delight our GOD.

 

It is found no clearer than as stated by the Apostle Peter in his First Epistle Chapter 2 and verse 9:

“ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

 

Sadly, the strivings against the preserving of these distinctions in the natural is indicative of the strivings against the most scared of all eccentricity in the spirit realm. So do you choose to bare forth HIS Glory or do you bear it with contentions? Are you making the line as conspicuous as possible or are you equivocal and difficult to read? Make a Distinction! Show forth HIS Praise!

 

 

[Joseph Gill]

Most modern translators believe the meaning of the Greek verb εἶχεν (eichen) in this verse is "to hold one's self or find one's self so and so, to be in such or such a condition." So their translations are usually something like the woman should find herself under authority by means of [by what she wears on] her head. They see this verse as directly relating to verse 16: For if a woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn: but if it is a shame to a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled. So, the verse is seen as discussing a woman wearing a head covering as an exercise of submission to authority, not exercising influence.

[Charles E. Burns Jr.]

Brother Joseph, thank you for your insight. This scripture encompasses the subject of a woman ministering in prayer and prophesying and the manner in which it is acceptable for her to do so, perhaps in your studies you will find this in the history of this chapter's circumstance.

Ministry surely is a form of "Influence" in the body of CHRIST as in a community. The manner in which we avail ourselves as we propose to minister makes all the difference in the world in respect to the type of influence we'll have while attempting to do so. Being a living Testimony is one aspect of ministry that we all should be affixed to. Submission! Exactly! Under authority! Yes! Please read again my Discussion on this matter and if looking closely at the formation of my dissertation these themes are evidently rendered and noticable to the trained eye.

LORD bless