1 Corinthians 11:13

13 Decide for yourselves: is it appropriate for a woman to pray to God when she is unveiled?

1 Corinthians 11:13 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 11:13

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.

1 Corinthians 11:13 In-Context

11 Nevertheless, in union with the Lord neither is woman independent of man nor is man independent of woman;
12 for as the woman was made from the man, so also the man is now born through the woman. But everything is from God.
13 Decide for yourselves: is it appropriate for a woman to pray to God when she is unveiled?
14 Doesn't the nature of things itself teach you that a man who wears his hair long degrades himself?
15 But a woman who wears her hair long enhances her appearance, because her hair has been given to her as a covering.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.