1 Corinthians 11:4-6

Signs of Subjection

Covering the head, in the Corinth of Paul's day, showed that a man was in subjection to someone. In worship, Paul said, a man's head should be uncovered, since he would have been in subjection only to Christ at that time. Neither should a man today wear a Masonic ring, star of David, or any other object which might indicate he is in subjection to someone other than the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:4).

The covering of the head for a woman was used to indicate she was in subjection to her husband. In addition to the natural covering God gave them, the women of Corinth threw something around their head as a sign of subjection. A woman who went in public with her head uncovered was openly rebelling. She would have been saying she was independent, thus not in subjection a man. Shaving a woman's head was used as a sign that she was an adulteress. It was also a custom of that day for a courtesan to shear her hair. A woman stooping so low as to go without her covering in public worship might as well shave off all her hair and assume the appearance of a courtesan or adulteress, according to Paul (1 Corinthians 11:5-6).