How to Restore Proper Order

Context of the Passage

This passage in 1 Corinthians 11 is one of the more difficult scriptures to interpret, surrounded by controversy. Yet it reveals profound truths. Paul instructs the Corinthian church to restore order. The church in Corinth was immature in theology and practice, lacking unity. Their use of spiritual gifts caused disorder. They disrupted each other's consciences and tolerated sexual immorality. Gender roles within the church were disordered, threatening the gospel itself—the relationships between husbands and wives, men and women in the church.

Paul commends them for remembering him and maintaining the traditions he delivered, which are recorded in Scripture. However, they missed the ultimate reality these traditions pointed to: men uncovering their heads and women covering theirs, symbolizing proper roles.

In our time, questions arise: Should women wear head coverings? Should men remove hats when praying? While challenging, the passage's purpose is clear: instill proper order for relationships in the church to function rightly. Disorder in gender roles disrupts the church body. Paul restores order by pointing to what traditions signify about men's and women's roles.

For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord, woman is not independent of man nor man of woman. For as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman, and all things are from God.

Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair, it is a disgrace for him? But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

— 1 Corinthians 11:7-16 (contextual summary)

Proper Function Through Hierarchy

Paul restores order by demonstrating that proper church function requires proper hierarchy. Christ is head of the church and of man; man is head of woman; God is head of Christ. This structure ensures God's glory. Woman is the glory of man; man is the glory of God and Christ; Christ is the glory of God. Disrupting this—placing women in men's roles or men failing to lead—robs God of glory.

Jesus modeled this, doing the Father's will to accomplish the gospel. Creation establishes order: God created man first, then woman from man. Adam's role was leadership, work, dominion, provision, protection, and spiritual instruction. God commanded Adam before Eve existed, and Adam taught her—though she added to the command, and Adam failed to lead during temptation.

Romans 5 attributes humanity's fall to Adam's failure, not Eve's. He stood silent as Satan tempted her, failing to protect and lead. This breakdown plunged humanity into sin. In the church, reversed roles cause chaos, hindering conformity to Christ and gospel mission. Salvation restores proper function: men as men, women as women, glorifying God through hierarchy.

The Role of Woman as Helpmate

Genesis shows woman created not merely to aid man's work, but as his helpmate—meeting needs no animal could. Man alone was "not good" before sin. Woman bolsters manhood, providing companionship beyond physical needs. Post-fall, man's curse is laborious toil; woman's encouragement revitalizes him. Men reciprocate by protecting through childbirth pains and leading as Christ leads, overcoming her curse of doubting male leadership.

Submission is not suppression but freedom to fulfill God-given roles, sanctifying desires under hierarchy. It enables women to contribute gifts to church and marriage without pursuing ambitions apart from these units.

Proper Application of Traditions

Proper church function requires applying the reality, not mere shadows. Paul prioritizes understanding hierarchy over physical coverings: "I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, the head of Christ is God."

Head coverings symbolized submission in Corinthian culture, like Sabbaths shadowed Christ (Colossians 2). Substance matters over shadow. A woman covering her head without grasping hierarchy is empty ritual. In cultures where coverings don't communicate order, they are pointless—like trusting Old Testament sacrifices over Christ.

If coverings clearly demonstrate submission to male headship (Christ for men, husbands for wives) and church order, use them. Otherwise, live the reality. Men uncovering heads shows Christ as head. Traditions without theology are not binding.

Avoiding Contentiousness

Paul warns: If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God. Proper function avoids contentious people who argue over traditions, not reality. Debate doctrine, not cultural practices like head coverings. John Calvin noted obstinate quarrels should be restrained by church authority, not endless disputation.

Focus on biblical manhood and womanhood through discipleship. "Because of the angels" likely means onlookers or messengers observing church order. Live gender godliness during worship; if coverings aid that witness, use them. Pursue order through hierarchy to glorify God.