Two Coverings Under Consideration

by Elvis Smith

Some contend that I Corinthians 11:2-16 only requires long hair as a covering on a woman. But I suggest that if that were so, the three phrases like “praying or prophesying” found in I Corinthians 11:4, 5, and 13 would have no real significance. The three “praying or prophesying” phrases tell us when a woman must be covered and when a man must not be covered. This clear distinction rules out the view that long hair is the only covering required by the text because the woman’s long hair covering is worn all the time. Furthermore, there are two distinct types of coverings referenced in the original Greek.

1. First, we see the wearing of the “katakalupto” – an artificial covering or “veil” (RSV) – by the woman is tied to the glory of man and is worn to honor and show subjection to him: I Corinthians 11:5 – “every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head [man].” We know that the covering of I Corinthians 11:5 is artificial because it is to cover for an occasion, that occasion being when a woman prays or prophesies. Consider a parallel from Esther 6:12: "And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.” Haman covered his head as part of his mourning. We know it was an artificial covering because it was covered for an occasion (his time of mourning).
2. Secondly, we see the “peribolaion” – the natural covering of long hair –is worn for the woman’s glory: I Corinthians 11:15 – “if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her”

These are two distinct coverings. “Peribolaion” refers to the woman’s hair, the covering she wears daily, and is her glory. “Katakalupto” refers to the covering a woman wears as a symbol of her subjection to man and serves to glorify him (not herself). Since the long hair does not cover just for an occasion (it is not put-on-able and take-off-able for a prayer), it cannot be the covering of I Corinthians 11:5-7, so the chapter displays two different coverings.

Hair is most certainly given to women as a means for covering, but remember what Paul says in I Corinthians 11:15: “But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a [not “the”] covering.” There are two different coverings women are expected to adorn themselves with. Her natural covering is for her own glory (her physical head), but the artificial covering is for her spiritual head’s glory (man).