Thinking, Meditating and Silent Prayer
I've never heard of silent prophesying but if we pray or prophesy silently there is no need for men to remove their covering or women to wear one, as angels would be unaware of what's going on. With this understanding, we can conclude that praying silently would not require any visible observance. Angels are only aware of what they can see or hear, just like mankind. If this were not so, those that rebelled would have known, by reading the hearts of the other angels, that their rebellion was destined for failure. They would have realized that two thirds of their forces would remain faithful to God.
[12.15]
A Demonstration Of Obedience
When we, as men and women of God, submit to this ordinance, we demonstrate our loyalty to the principles of God's authority. When we obey this ordinance, we join the ranks of those two third angels that kept faith with God. These same angels that will one day come to collect those of us who have submitted ourselves to Him.
[12.16]
In the verses following verse seven of I Corinthians eleven, Paul explains the reasons why men and women are required to observe this ordinance differently. He explains that in the beginning of creation man did not come from woman but woman from man. This is one reason for the woman to have a sign of authority on her head. To minimize any dissension this might cause, Paul reminds us that both men and women are one; stating that neither man or woman is without the other.
[12.17]
Doesn't Nature Teach Us
Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, asks us to search within ourselves for the truth about the covering and by this suggests, that the spirit within us will agree. The spirit within will affirm that even our own choice of hair length suggests a natural awareness, a sensitivity to this issue. Men seem naturally to seek shorter hair and regard long hair as feminine. Thus, they reject much of their natural covering. Women on the other hand, tend to cover their heads with long hair showing a natural desire to cover; a covering which has been given to them by God and designed to bring them a natural beauty (glory). This illustration is given purely as an example as evidenced by the way it is introduced, “Doth not even nature itself teach you…” (1 Co11:14).
[12.18]
In no way does this suggest that hair may be substituted for a covering of cloth or other suitable material. When praying or prophesying, a suitable covering must be found that can be put on or removed, else why would it only be required when praying or prophesying? If the natural hair were sufficient then it would be foolish to require it only when praying or prophesying as the woman would be covered all the time. God does nothing that's foolish.
[12.19]
Two Sides Of The Issue
Most churches today seem to favor the idea that the covering is no longer required. They feel a woman's long hair is sufficient to satisfy this requirement. Few church fellowships practice this custom if any and most tend to consider it a legalistic practice. If, however, you were to ask these same groups how much of the New Testament they should obey and follow, most would answer, "all of it.” If we believe the Lord’s commandments are not burdensome, and if we are to keep the traditions of the Apostles, how then can we avoid this ordinance?
I Jn 5:3
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
II Th 2:15
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
[12.20]
Again, if long hair is an adequate way to meet this requirement, then how do we explain it only being required when praying or prophesying? We may note that among today's Christian women it is common to see short hair often rivaling the hairstyles of men. What kind of covering is this? Please note that while a covering is required when a woman prays aloud or gives prophecy, she is not biblically required to have long hair. Long hair is a God given and God permitted adornment, it is not a commandment.
[12.21]
Today's women sometimes complain that long hair is too much to fuss with or state, "I can't be bothered with it every time I pray, it'll mess my hair," or "I'll look foolish.". The intent of this entire New Testament ordinance is to show the angels that men have not abandoned their honor of Christ and women haven't ceased to honor the male authority in their life. If we discontinue this practice, what message do we send the angels? If our women pin some fashionable, little lace cloth to the back of their head, covering only a small portion of their head, what does this demonstrate? Perhaps a careless, halfhearted sense of obedience to God's request and only partial submission to His order of authority.
[12.22]
The Other Position
The other position most often encountered is that of wearing it all the time. If it’s worth wearing to show obedience during prayer or prophecy, why not all the time? This ordinance is a sign of submission in the same way that feet washing is. If wearing the covering all the time is proper for the woman then I suppose men should never wear a hat, even if working in sub-zero temperatures. Perhaps we could find some way to wash each other's feet constantly, also.
[12.23]
If the ordinances intended men to remain uncovered always or women to cover always it would have said so. What harm can it do to remain covered all the time? Is it sin? If we, as leaders, remove any liberty that is ours in Christ, if we add any regulation which is not authorized, then we place His flock once more in bondage and that is sin. It's sin for the leaders to teach this and sin for those who follow this teaching. If women allow themselves to wear a covering all the time because they're used to it but instruct their daughters to wear only while praying and prophesying, then they sin by example like the Pharisees for they "say and do not."
Matt 23:3
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
[12.24]
Some women feel it's better to wear it all the time, it's more obedient, while at the same time making the covering smaller and pushing it further and further to the rear of the head. If this isn't hypocrisy, I don't know what is. Why not simply obey the word of God as it is written, no more and no less, then maybe we can put an end to our endless wrangling about this subject.
It Should Be Obvious
1 Cor 11:16
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
[12.25]
The last verse of this text is difficult for some to understand clearly; I confess it takes a little reasoning to work out. Realizing that all the previous verses in this chapter deal with reasons to cover and uncover, it's obvious that Paul is not suggesting that we abandon the ordinances he just finished teaching. We must remind ourselves that this entire teaching is given so we will obey this ordinance.
1 Cor 11:2
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
[12.26]
Having stated this, we must conclude that this final verse must be understood this way. If any man comes to the church suggesting another means of observing respect for God's authority, let him know that in this church we observe no other custom than that which has been outlined here and all the other churches observe this same custom in the same way.
[12.27]
It's time we stopped saying we obey the entire New Covenant if we don't. Let's stop adding to it, subtracting from it or changing it and instead, why don’t we just do what it says from a willing and loving heart.
[12.28]