Judge in yourselves
The apostle having gone through a variety of reasoning and
arguments, showing the superiority of the man to the woman, by
which he would prove, that the one should be covered, and the
other uncovered, returns to his subject again, and appeals to the
common sense and understanding of the Corinthians, and makes them
themselves judges of the matter; suggesting that the thing was so
clear, and he so certain of what he had advanced being right,
that he leaves it with them, not doubting but that they would,
upon a little reflection within themselves, join with him in this
point:
is it comely that a woman pray unto God
uncovered?
in you judgment you can never think so, however pleasing and
gratifying such a sight may be, to the lust of the flesh, and to
the lust of the eye; he does not mention prophesying, only
instances in praying; but it is to be understood of one, as of
another; and his meaning is, that it is an uncomely thing in a
woman to appear in public service with her head uncovered,
whether it be in joining in the public prayers, or in singing of
psalms, or in hearing the word expounded; and though the apostle
does not put the case of the man's praying to God, or prophesying
in his name with his head covered, yet his sense is the same of
that, as of the woman's.