Laura A. Willig
26 February 1993
Sisters, with whom I have been called in the name of Christ Jesus, I wish you grace and peace in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us give thanks to our Lord for having blessed and strengthened our lives through the words of His Son. Those who have heard the message He sent have been called to be as one with the faithful.
I write, sisters, in response to your objections, voiced clearly, though privately, throughout Galatia. Surely you have not been led astray by those who twist the words and teaching of Paul, our brother in Christ. Remember that we ourselves experienced and were enlightened by his teachings. I say to you, sisters, that the message received in Corinth has been misused by those who wish to see the followers of Christ crumble under the weight of doubt. I mean that we must understand the instructions of Paul, our brother and teacher, to include all of God's children, not only the men of the church. Consider the words received by us in Galatia, that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Jesus Christ... (Gal 3:28). The message of our brother Paul has not changed since those words were written. I say to you that his words received at Corinth should strengthen our given role in God's church.
Paul reminds us that Christ is the source of every man, and man is the source of woman (as woman was created from the rib of man), and that God is the source of Christ and is who sent Him to us (1 Cor 11:3). Paul reminds us also that our Lord created woman separately from man and the differences between man and woman are by the intent and design of our Creator. That is, we glorify God through our clear expression of our unique qualities. Be sure that Paul has no objection to our participation in the prayer in the church, but rather, he objects to our outward rejection of our God-given gifts as we worship. For he writes that "any woman who prays or prophesies with head uncovered brings shame upon her head" (1 Cor 11:5). By these words, he tells us that it is an offense to God to deny or hide our sexual distinctions that God has given us in creation; the natural covering for our heads simply has been extended by tradition to include a head scarf. Though we differ from men, we are all equal in the Lord, each created with distinguishing features for which we should glorify the Lord.
When our brother Paul wrote to assure us in Galatia of the equality of all in the eyes of God, some of our sisters in other lands who received word of Paul's message understood him to mean that we could transcend our sexuality. Paul writes now to clarify his message, we must hold fast to that which God has given us and not attempt to be like men, for we were not created as man was created. This is not to say that we are less than man, but different by the Lord's plan and intent.
Sisters, Paul is justified in saying that "a married woman ... is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband" (1 Cor 7:34), for we all know the difficulties and limitations of the life we lead. Having been called by Christ, we who were formerly without authority have now been received into a new family, the family of our Lord Jesus Christ. Certainly this creates a conflict for us because in the society in which we live, it is often difficult to remember that we are all equal to God.
When we praise and glorify God, it is important to be covered for another reason—that is to remind ourselves that when we glorify the Lord, we are not glorifying man and therefore we should appear before God with outward signs of our thanks for the unique qualities God bestowed on us. The angels, who are the keepers of the created order, watch over us to ensure that we do not express shame or discontent with the attributes we have received as a gift from God. (1 Cor 11:10).
As Paul writes, "a man ... should not cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man" (1 Cor 11:7). I understand that these words have distressed you, my sisters, and have caused you to feel abandoned by our brother Paul. I say that these words must be viewed and received in a new light. Our Lord wishes us to be thankful for our creation and acceptance into the family of Christ. Man should appear before Him as he was created and woman should do likewise. Woman is the glory of man, for we make him complete and enable him to continue the creation of God's family. "For just as woman came from man, so man is now born of woman" (1 Cor 11:12)—woman holds a prominent position in the eyes of our Creator; we hold the key to life. Our Lord Jesus Christ was entrusted by His Father into the care of the Virgin—what further proof do you require to testify to our importance in the eyes of the Lord?!
Yes, sisters, be assured that "all things are from God" (1 Cor 11:12). Indeed, "nature itself" dictates that "if a man wears his hair long it is a disgrace to him, whereas, if a woman has long hair, it is her glory, because long hair has been given her for a covering" (1 Cor 11:15). Paul's meaning is just as he states. To glorify the Lord, we must exult in the gifts God has given us. To attempt to hide our gifts is to say that God was mistaken in our creation, or that we wish to change the way in which we were designed.
Sisters, I say to you now, unite as one in the Lord. You have allowed doubt in the love of the Lord to interfere with your faith. These things about which you dispute are without meaning if you have faith and trust in the love of God. Do not allow dissent to separate the children of God. Stand firm in faith as you stand in the light of the Lord. "Your every act should be done with love." (1 Cor 16:14) Replace your disputes with love and trust in the teachings of Christ.
The grace of the Lord be with all of you.
Sources Used:
Barrett, C. K. A Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians. London: 1968.
Talbert, Charles H. Reading Corinthians. New York: 1987.
The New American Bible (Saint Joseph Edition). New York: 1970.