Thursday
I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you. vs 2
So why don’t we as Christian women cover our heads during worship? Why do women cut their hair short and men grow theirs long? And what does any of this have to do with worship?
Well, Paul tells us in vs 16. These were the customs of the time. In setting up Christian communities in a world that is culturally different than ours…(for example; a woman whose head was shaved meant that in Jewish culture she was an adulterer (
Numbers 5:11-31
), in the Greek culture it could indicate that she was a prostitute) so, these were ways to not bring bad publicity to the church. This was also a way to show that men and women were under authority of the church, that they lived humbly and in submission to God.
Peter tells us in
1 Peter 3:1-6 how a woman should dress – modestly and with humility. Vs 4 says,
“You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”
Our acts of obedience should emphasize our connection with Christ, not wanting to draw attention to ourselves or our selfish desires. What we need to be careful of is in getting too legalistic. In our world of unchurch, non-Christian people, making a big issue out of head coverings or hairstyles won’t help us attain our ultimate goal, and that is reaching the lost for Jesus. Paul is calling all Christians to submit to Christ, men and women. He has already told them to imitate him as he imitates Christ. We know that Christ was submissive to the Father’s Will.
Another thing we must recognize is that there are differences in the roles of men and women. We see them in the order that God created, and He continues to call us to recognize this difference. Man’s role is to make the decisions, but the woman’s role is to be the influencer (the help mate). In a perfect world – or a perfect marriage this works effectively. Within the walls of the church, it is well for men and women to work together for the advancement of the gospel without thinking one gender is superior to the other.
Paul turns his attention to regulations regarding Communion. Again, the basis for these commands is to bring about order and respect among the believers, where it appears there has been discord. The ultimate outcome from all we do should be to bring honor and glory to God.
Grace and Peace
Pastor Kathy