1 Corinthians 11-12

Most people who read the book of Corinthians find Paul's opinions in chapter 11 somewhat controversial and derogatory of women. Let me attempt to make this chapter clearer. My advise is that when reading chapter 11, instead of seeing this as Paul's opinion about women in general, realize first of all that he is referring to married women. Secondly, read chapter 11 with the understanding that Paul is addressing public worship and how those married; including the husband and wife, how they ought to carry themselves in public or at church meetings. Also, importantly, you want to pay attention to some of the issues Paul had earlier been addressing in his letter; sexual immorality for example was rampant, you don't want someone walking up to a married person to try and strike a relationship, that would have been causing some divisions. Lastly, everything Paul talks about, at least in addressing the issues of men and women covering or not covering their head must be understood in light of the dominant custom in Corinth at this period in time. In other words, a huge part of what Paul is talking about is customs, not doctrines; "but if anyone wants to argue about this, I simply say that we have no other CUSTOM than this, and neither do God's other churches." 1Cor 11:16. In their custom, women indicated they were married by covering their heads or wearing a veil. That is not the same in every custom and culture. In this custom, men do no keep long hair, it made them look feminine and was a deceptive trick for those who practised homosexuality to meet without raising any suspicions. These were the issues Paul was addressing in chapter 11.