1 Corinthians 11:5-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Paul, having answered the cases put to him, proceeds in this chapter to the redress of grievances. The Rom. 11:1 of the chapter is put, by those who divided the epistle into chapters, as a preface to the rest of the epistle, but seems to have been a more proper close to the last, in which he had enforced the cautions he had given against the abuse of liberty, by his own example: Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ (Rom. 11:1), fitly closes his argument; and the way of speaking in the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

11:2-16 I praise you because you remember me in all things and because you hold fast to the traditions as I handed them down to you. But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and that the man is the head of the woman, and that God is the head of Christ. Every man who prays or preaches with his head covered shames his head. Every woman who prays or preaches with her head uncovered shames her head, for she is in exactly the same case as a woman whose head has been shaved;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:5

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth ,.... Not that a woman was allowed to pray publicly in the congregation, and much less to preach or explain the word, for these things were not permitted them: see 1 Corinthians 14:34 but it designs any woman that joins in public worship with the minister in prayer, and attends on the hearing of the word preached, or sings the praises of God with the congregation, as we have seen, the word prophesying signifies, with her head uncovered . It... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:6

For if the woman be not covered ,.... That is, if her head is not covered with some sort of covering, as is the custom of the place where she lives, let her also be shorn ; let her hair be cut short; let her wear it as men do theirs; and let her see how she will look, and how she will like that, and how she will be looked upon, and liked by others; everybody will laugh at her, and she will be ashamed of herself: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven : as it is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:5

But every woman that prayeth, etc. - Whatever may be the meaning of praying and prophesying, in respect to the man, they have precisely the same meaning in respect to the woman. So that some women at least, as well as some men, might speak to others to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. And this kind of prophesying or teaching was predicted by Joel, Joel 2:28 , and referred to by Peter, Acts 2:17 . And had there not been such gifts bestowed on women, the prophecy could not have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:6

For if the woman be not covered - If she will not wear a veil in the public assemblies, let her be shorn - let her carry a public badge of infamy: but if it be a shame - if to be shorn or shaven would appear, as it must, a badge of infamy, then let her be covered - let her by all means wear a veil. Even in mourning it was considered disgraceful to be obliged to shear off the hair; and lest they should lose this ornament of their heads, the women contrived to evade the custom, by cutting off... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:5

Verse 5 5.Every woman praying or prophesying Here we have the second proposition — that women ought to have their heads covered when they pray or prophesy; otherwise they dishonor their head For as the man honors his head by showing his liberty, so the woman, by showing her subjection. Hence, on the other hand, if the woman uncovers her head, she shakes off subjection — involving contempt of her husband. It may seem, however, to be superfluous for Paul to forbid the woman to prophesy with her... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Apostolic injunctions with regard to Church services. Though the Corinthians deserved blame in some things, they were entitled to praise in that they had generally observed St. Paul's directions. Despite their departure from certain of his instructions, he could say, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ;" by which he recognized that they had discernment enough to see the Lord Jesus in his personal and official character, and a sufficient brotherly sympathy to imitate his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Decency in public worship. When we appear before God we should observe the greatest propriety. Externals should not be lost sight of, for they are significant. Often they are indicative of inward condition. The apostle had occasion to blame the women of Corinth for laying aside the veil—the mark of modesty and subjection—in public assemblies. On the ground of the abolition of distinction of sex in Christ, they claimed equality in every respect with men, and the right to appear and act as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Rules and principles respecting the covering of the head by women in Church assemblies. read more

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