Head Covering Follow-Up  

This is a quick follow-up to my last blog post.  Since I have noticed there is quite a bit of confusion on several web sites concerning I Corinthians 11:10 and Paul's use of the word "angels," I thought I might tackle it's meaning.  Here is the scripture, (KJV), in it's context,

I Corinthians 11:1-16

1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

Verse 10 seems to be an obscrure verse in meaning to us today.  Let us remember that God is not the author of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33a).  Not only does God not want us to not be confused but he wants us to understand his will-

Ephesians 5:17- be not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is

Romans 12:2- And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

James 1:5- If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him

Ephesians 1:17-That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him

If we take God at his word and apply the simplest meaning then we have a starting point for understanding this verse and other seemingly obscure verses.

The word translated "angels" is #32 in Strongs Concordance in the Greek.  This word is used to both represent heavenly messengers as well as earthly messingers.  An example of the use as a heavenly messenger is found in Revelation 12:7 which mentions the angel Gabriel.  An example of an earthly messenger is it's use in Revelation 2:1, 8, and 12 where it mentions the "angel's," or "messengers" to the various churches. The word in it's simplest form means "bringer of tidings."

One of the things I have noticed about Paul's writings is how he qualifies his statements.  By this I mean that usually a statement that seems unclear to us is usually pointing to something else for it's meaning.  For example,

II Corinthians 6:17- Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you

The statement above is qualified by a previous statement within the same scripture found here,

II Corinthians 6:17- Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

So then, if we were to ask, "Who" he was referring to that we should "come out from among," the answer is "unbelievers."

We then can apply this same rule to I Corinthians 11:10. Since Paul does not mention another scripture as it's reference then we know it refers back to another passage contained in the previous text.  I believe in this instance it most likely refers to "the man" as being the "messenger" or angel.  This would make the most common sense of the verse and the easiest to explain.  The husband is the "messenger" most likely to be out of the home bringing the "tidings" of the gospel to others.  This is especially true in comparison to Titus 2:5 commanding women to be keepers at home.  The wife's conduct or appearance, in this case the head covering, affects his testimony and character in front of others who might be, for instance, invited to the home through a hospitality ministry.  This is my own opinion of course, but see no other reasonable reference which the verse could point to.  With scriptures that seem to be difficult I try to apply these rules:

• God talks about the simplicity of the Gospel. I try to remember God wants me to understand it so I go for the simplest meaning.  I don't try to stretch it to mean something obscure or mysterious.  There is usually enough evidence in the current text and the meaning of the word I don't understand to explain it.
  
• Ask yourself, is Paul using another scripture to verify what he is saying?  If not, then the meaning is most likely already supplied in a previous portion of the text.
• Pray about it.  It may be a simple truth God is trying to get across.  He will give the answer in his time so I don't need to be "confused," only express faith in his provision to explain it.  Also, remember the tempter's ability to confuse and distort.  Use your lack of understanding as an opportunity to express faith.