1 Corinthians 11:10

For this cause the woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.

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Other translations

WEBBE

For this cause the woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.

BSB

For this reason a woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels.

ASV

for this cause ought the woman to have [a sign of] authority on her head, because of the angels.

Original Greek

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διὰ dia Because of G1223 τοῦτο touto this G3778 ὀφείλει opheilei ought G3784 ἡ hē the G3588 γυνὴ gunē woman G1135 ἐξουσίαν exousian authority G1849 ἔχειν echein to have G2192 ἐπὶ epi on G1909 τῆς tēs the G3588 κεφαλῆς kephalēs head G2776 διὰ dia on account of G1223 τοὺς tous the G3588 ἀγγέλους angelous angels G32

The early church

"For this cause ought the woman to have a sign of authority on her head" "For this cause:" what cause, tell me? "For all these which have been mentioned," saith he; or rather not for these only, but also "because of the angels." "For although thou despise thine husband," saith he, "yet reverence the angels." It follows that being covered is a mark of subjection and authority. For it induces her to look down and be ashamed and preserve entire her proper virtue. For the virtue and honor of the governed is to abide in his obedience. Again: the man is not compelled to do this; for he is the image of his Lord: but the woman is; and that reasonably. Consider then the excess of the transgression when being honored with so high a prerogative, thou puttest thyself to shame, seizing the woman's dress. And thou doest the same as if having received a diadem, thou shouldest cast the diadem from thy head, and instead of it take a slave's garment.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 2–16

Here begin particulars respecting the public assemblies, ch. 1Co 14. In the abundance of spiritual gifts bestowed on the Corinthians, some abuses had crept in; but as Christ did the will, and sought the honour of God, so the Christian should avow his subjection to Christ, doing his will and seeking his glory. We should, even in our dress and habit, avoid every thing that may dishonour Christ. The woman was made subject to man, because made for his help and comfort. And she should do nothing, in Christian assemblies, which looked like a claim of being equal. She ought to have "power," that is, a veil, on her head, because of the angels. Their presence should keep Christians from all that is wrong while in the worship of God. Nevertheless, the man and the woman were made for one another. They were to be mutual comforts and blessings, not one a slave, and the other a tyrant. God has so settled matters, both in the kingdom of providence and that of grace, that the authority and subjection of each party should be for mutual help and benefit. It was the common usage of the churches, for women to appear in public assemblies, and join in public worship, veiled; and it was right that they should do so. The Christian religion sanctions national customs wherever these are not against the great principles of truth and holiness; affected singularities receive no countenance from any thing in the Bible.

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Cross-references

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Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.