1 Corinthians 11:3-5,7&10 “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 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 a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man…For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.” (see also Judges 16:17 concerning power on the head and the shaving of hair)

This site is about spiritual interpretation, and all of these verses need to be seen allegorically or spiritually to be understood correctly, even the scriptures in Judges.  For more background on the spiritual meaning of the male and female counterparts within each person, please see our post on April 2, 2014.  

Spiritual take on these verses:

The “head” of the woman is the man.  And the head of the man is Christ.  These verses talk about the covering of the head of the woman, which is the man. These verses are therefore talking about the covering of the man (i.e. internal husband).  It says that when the woman (female counterpart of person) is praying or prophesying and her head (man) is uncovered, her head (man) is shamed (dishonored).  The man and woman are both within one person, where the man is the “husband”.  The head represents the parts of us that needs to be veiled when our female counterpart is praying and prophesying. Christ represents the parts of us that needs to be unveiled (uncovered) when our male counterpart is praying or prophesying.   When our man (head of the woman) is covered this gives power on the head and the unveiling of Christ (image or picture of God).  The head of the man is Christ, who is the image and glory of God, where glory means judgment. The judgment and image of God is revealed through the unveiling of Christ and the covering of the husband. Further discussion on the representation of the male, female, and Christ in each of us is for another discussion.

John 4:18 “For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.”

The five husbands can represent our five senses, which in turn can represent are our head, which ought to be “covered” when our female is praying. Once our five husbands are covered, the power of the messengers of God is present, and our Christ (true husband) can be shown to us or unveiled (uncovered). And also when our Christ is uncovered (unveiled) and the image of God becomes visible, our female’s head (husband) can pray without dishonor. And how we unveil Christ is also for another discussion.

Literal take on the scriptures in 1 Corinthians:

If this scripture in 1 Corinthians is read literally, it would say that when there is a literal husband and wife each separate from each other, the literal separate husband needs to be covered when the wife is praying or prophesying.  Remember the head of the woman is the husband. And what do you use to cover the husband? Well, maybe you use a blanket…???  It would also say that Christ ought to be uncovered when the literal man or husband is praying or prophesying.  And how we would uncover Christ, who is supposedly outside, of us is beyond me.  

Christ is within us (Col 1:27) as are the male and female counterparts.

For more information on this look for an upcoming post concerning the image of God.