The Role of Women in the Church

Session 13 Preparation Questions - Wives, Women and Propriety in Worship

Read I Corinthians 11:2 – 16. Review I Corinthians 10:14 – 14:40 to provide a framework for studying this passage. Think about the command from Paul that women keep their heads covered during the worship service from the perspective of the following questions. Is this command applicable today? If so, why? If not, on what basis do we determine that women should not keep their heads covered during worship? Consider the following additional questions.

1. As we have considered previously the meanings of the Greek words aner and gyne do you think the context of this passage suggests Paul is writing about men and women or husbands and wives?
2. Why does Paul call the Corinthians to “hold to the teachings” (or traditions) in 11:2?
3. Women (wives) were disrupting the assembly in Corinth. In what way were they disrupting the assembly based upon 11:2 – 16?
4. Can you find a passage in I Corinthians 10 which summarizes Paul’s message in chapters 11 – 14?
5. What do you think Paul meant by “cover her head”? Is he describing a veil, a particular style of hair, a shawl or more than one factor?
6. To what do you believe Paul is referring when he suggests the woman who does not cover her head “should have her hair cut off” in v. 6?
7. Why does Paul insist that men pray with their heads uncovered? Was this typical for Jewish men during New Testament times? Was it typical for Greek men?
8. Do you believe that both men and women were praying and prophesying openly during the worship services in Corinth? Do you believe that open praying and prophesying by women is appropriate for women in the church today? If so, why? If not, why not?
9. Review Session 6 during which we discussed the reference Paul makes to the created order. What do you believe is meant by the man being head of the woman (11:3)? How does this relate to head coverings?
10. How do verses 11 and 12 connect with Paul’s message in verses 2 – 10?
11. What point is Paul making when, in v. 10, he writes “because of the angels”?