A. I cover my head because I believe the Bible says I am supposed to. By covering my head, I am reminded that my husband is my authoritative head, and I am to joyfully submit to him. In doing this, I am also submitting to my Heavenly Father.
Q. When do you cover your head?
A. I cover my head both in and out of church, both in public, and while at home.
Q. Isn’t head covering just for when you are in church?
A. I have covering friends who believe that, but I personally disagree. There is nothing in the head covering passage that says we are only supposed to cover during church meetings. In fact, the passage states that women are to cover their heads whenever they pray or prophesy, and also to show their submission to their husbands. I'm not only submissive to my husband just in church, and I don't only pray and prophesy just in church. I am to submit to my husband in and out of church, and I pray through out the day, therefore I am covered in and out of church, both.
Q. What do you cover your head with?
A. I often cover with bandannas, but also enjoy scarves, tichels, convertible covers, and various pre-made coverings.
Q. Should all of the hair be covered?
A. Some women feel compelled to cover all of their hair, but I do not. Other Scriptures in the Bible talk of women's hairstyles, and keeping the styles modest. This would be a moot point, if all of the hair is supposed to be covered.
Q. Should men cover their heads?
A. No. In fact, the Bible specifically says men are not to practice the head covering.
Q. What about when men wear hats? Aren't they head covering, then?
A. If a man is wearing a hat in order to practice the head covering, then he is wrongly head covered. However, if he is wearing a hat as an accessory, or to keep the sun out of his eyes, then he is not head covering, he is just wearing a hat.
Q. What about women who don't consider themselves as practicing the head covering, but they wear a bandanna over their hair because of having a "bad hair day?" Are they then head covered, regardless if they know it or not?
A. No. A woman can wear a hat, scarf, bandana, etc, and not be practicing the head covering. In these cases, those are not head coverings, but just accessories. They are only head coverings if the woman is wearing them specifically for that purpose.
Q. Isn't head covering legalistic, and now we have freedom in Christ?
A. Legalism is when a Christian is trying to keep the Old Testament ceremonial laws in addition to the New Testament, of which 2 Corinthians 3 says spiritually blinds them. You may be surprised to learn that the head covering was not a command anywhere in the Old Testament. It was a custom then, but not a command. The Old Testament custom had both men and women covering their heads while praying. There was no mediator between God and man, then. Now, we have Christ, our High Priest and Mediator, so men no longer are to cover, under the New Covenant. The head covering is a New Testament Command, demonstrating the headship order, of God - Christ - Man - Woman. Only Christian woman are to cover, demonstrating that their heads are their husbands. Again, head covering was an Old Testament custom, but it is a New Testament Command.
Q. Where in the Bible does it say women are supposed to cover their heads?
A. 1 Corinthians chapter 11, verses 2-16.
Q. Wasn't the head covering for back then, and is not for today?
A. Let me answer your question by presenting a question to you. The chapter the head covering is commanded in, is 1 Corinthians 11. Also in that same chapter is the command of taking the Lord's Supper. Is the Lord's Supper still for today? Yes, because the chapter says we are to do this to show the Lord's death until He comes back. The Lord's Supper Command comes up right after the head covering command. Therefore, since we are still supposed to partake in communion, the head covering is also still valid for today.
Q. Wasn't the head covering just for the church at Corinth?
A. Why would they get a special command, that the other churches didn't get? Did they need a special lesson in headship or humility? All the commands in all the Epistles are for all Christians. Further, the book of 1 Corinthians is written to ALL Christians, not just to the church at Corinth, as is clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 1:2. Further, if the head covering command were viewed as a command to just the Corinthians, then one would also have to say the Communion is a command to just the Corinthians as well, and we know that isn't the case, so nor is it with the head covering practice.
Q. Doesn't 1 Corinthians 11:3 define the head in this passage as the husband, and therefore if the wife is submissive to her husband, she is symbolically covering her head?
A. Verse 3 gives the headship order, introducing one of the reasons why the woman must cover her head. Her husband is her authoritative head, therefore she physically covers her head to show that. 1 Corinthians 11 clearly distinguishes two types of heads - the authoritative head, and the physical head. If you look at verses 5 and 6, you'll see the physical head being discussed.
Q. Doesn't 1 Corinthians 11:15 tell us that women's long hair is her head covering?
A. I tried to use that one as a reason for my not head covering for so many years. What would always bother me about that argument, however, is that if long hair is the head covering, then why have so many verses before verse 15 stating that a woman needs to wear a head covering? Verses 14 and 15 are parenthetical verses, using nature as an example to answer the question put forth in verse 13. Verse 13 asks if it's proper for a woman to pray without a head covering. Then, verses 14 and 15 use nature as an example to show us that just like it's unnatural and therefore not proper for a woman to have short hair, and a man to have long hair, so it is also not proper for a woman to pray with her head uncovered. With verses 14 and 15 being parenthetical, we can take verses 13 and 16 together to get the direct question and answer, where verse 13 asks if it's proper for a woman to pray without a head covering, and verse 16 answers it is not.
Further, the Greek for the word "covering" in verse 15 is an entirely different word than the Greek used for covering in the rest of the chapter. In verse 15, the Greek word for covering means a veil, or something that wraps around, while the Greek word used for covering in the rest of the chapter means something that sits on top of the head, and covers. The King James Translators gave an alternate translation for the word "covering" in verse 15, and that alternate translation is "veil." Every word in the Bible counts. Notice also in verse 15 that is says "a covering," and not 'the covering.' This is because long hair is a covering, which can wrap around, like a veil, while the head covering that we are to put on top of our heads is the covering. See verses 5 and 6.
Q. If the head covering is for today, then why aren't most Christian women, and most churches practicing it?
A. Most people are ignorant of the Scriptures, even though they are freely and easily attainable to most. How many times have you read the Bible? If you are diligent, then you would answer that you've read it multiple times. However, if you are like the average person walking around, you've never read the whole Bible through even once. Many people trust their church to teach them what's in the Bible, but most of what's in the Bible never reaches the pulpit. It's our responsibility to read the Word of God, and learn it for ourselves. Let us not try to pawn that off on someone else.
It's not surprising that most churches today do not practice the covering. Most churches today also partake in Mystery Babylonian holidays, such as "Christmas" and "Easter." There is a darkness, backsliding, and ignorance in today's churches. You can make a difference. You can decide to follow the Word of God, instead of culture, and cover your head. Perhaps you standing up will encourage others to do so, as well.
Q. What were the beliefs of the earlier church on head covering? Did many earlier churches practice it at all?
A. From what I've read, the early church did indeed head cover. You can also look online and see old paintings and pictures of head covering women. Head covering was still somewhat common to many churches until the 1960s. In came the feminist movement, and out went head covering and modest dresses, it seems.
Q. What about churches in other countries? What do they do about the head covering?
A. I've read and listened to missionary reports of women covering in other countries, and wondering why the churches in the U.S. don't seem to follow 1 Corinthians 11. Google it; depending on which country you want to research.
Q. I'm convinced I should be covering my head. How do I begin, right away?
A. First, pray to God, and thank Him for revealing His will for you. Next, grab a bandanna. If you don't have one, most Wal-Marts carry them near the purses and belts for one dollar per bandanna, and there are a lot of pretty ones to choose from. My current favorite is a purple gingham one. Or, if you have a scarf, or old shirt, you can use that. A scarf can be folded into a covering, wide enough to cover the top of your head, and then tied under your hair. You could take an old shirt, and cut it into a triangle, then sew in the edges so you don't have rough, stringy edges, then tie that under your hair, like a bandanna.
Q. I believe in the head covering, but when I asked my husband, he said he didn't want me to do it. Now what?
A. Now you need to pray that the Lord will soften his heart. Ask your husband if he'll listen to the reasons why you want to cover, along with Scriptures. Read him things online that helped you decide, and show him pictures of various types of head coverings online. Try wearing just a wide headband, and have your hair down and styled femininely. If he doesn't mind that, then the real problem is probably that he's afraid you'll lose your femininity, and he wants you to still look fresh and nice.
Q. I've started covering my head, but my husband says I look ridiculous/like a chemo patient/like a gypsy. He doesn't like them. What do I do now?
A. It sounds like he just doesn't like the style of covering you have chosen. If you are covering all of your hair, a lot of men don't like that with their wives, because it can be harder to appear feminine in your husband's eyes. Try a convertible covering, bandanna, or just a simple, wide headband. Wear your hair down when covering, and that may make a big difference. You may want to bring up pictures of women in various types of coverings online, and show them to your husband, and ask him what type he would like to see you in. Show him the pictures from Garlands of Grace, and see if he likes those styles of coverings.
Q. I'm new to head covering, but have not ventured to do it outside of my home, yet. I'm scared of what people will think, or how they will react. What do you suggest?
A. If you're a Christian, then you already don't fit in. What does it matter what others think of you? It's what God thinks. Go out there, and hold your head up high. You're a child of God.
Q. I am going to start covering my head. No one else in my church head covers. What do I say when they ask my why I have this thing on my head?
A. I am blessed to be in company with some other head covering ladies in my church, but previous churches I attended had no one covering, except for me. I've only had someone at those churches come up to me on one or two occasions. For the most part, no one said anything to me. The person who came up to me, said "you know, you don't have to wear that, your hair is your covering." I told him I disagreed, and explained why. It was quick and simple. If someone asks you why you have a head covering on, just tell them why you cover. Give them your reasons, and direct them to 1 Corinthians 11.
Q. I've been head covering for a while now, but lately my friends/family/fellow church attendees have been picking on me about it. They say it's not for today, that I look like a nun, and more. I am firm about the Bible's stance on the head covering, and I know I'm doing the right thing, but how do I handle these people? I feel like they are tearing me down, little by little.
A. Don't worry about it, and don't take it personally. Sometimes when a person picks at you for something, it's because they are unsure themself. Stand up for what the Bible teaches, and politely tell them you are following the Scriptures. You can do it. :-)
Q I feel like covering my head draws attention to me. Aren't we supposed to not have any attention on us? What do I do with this attention?
A. On the contrary, the Bible says that Christians are to let their lights shine in this dark, fallen world. When you turn on a light in a dark room, the light draws some serious attention, doesn't it? Wearing a head covering to draw attention would mean your heart is not in the right place. Wearing a head covering, because you are obeying God, regardless if it draws attention to you - that's a heart in the right place. I regularly get people asking me if I'm Amish, Mennonite, or Holiness Pentecostal. Or, sometimes people just ask me what religion I am, and keep it simple. I am none of those things. My answer is that I'm a Bible Believing Christian. The next question is usually what church I go to, etc. When people come up to you and ask questions, that is a great icebreaker for fellowship, or telling someone the Gospel message. Consider it a privilege.
Q. Candy, how long have you been covering your head?
A. I started head covering in 2009.
Q. Candy, what made you decide to start practicing the head covering?
A. I always felt strange whenever I read 1 Corinthians 11. I tried to explain it away, and then one day I faced the fact that none of my arguments held any water. I did the research, and took the Scriptures at face value. What a relief, to finally just do it, instead of fighting it.
Q. I don't know if I should cover or not. I keep wavering. What do you suggest I do?
A. Pray, study 1 Corinthians 11, and do research. To read my research, and get links to various resources, click here.
Q. What are some of the blessings you feel you have gotten since practicing the head covering?
A. I have more of a measure of spiritual protection than I did before.
I am treated more politely.
People come up to me and ask me questions, which is a great icebreaker.
I am happy to be following the will of God. The covering reminds me to be in submission to my husband, and I love submitting to him (most of the time) because I trust and love him very much, and he is a wonderful husband.
I am treated more like a lady, instead of like a potential feminist. Doors are opened for me more often, I am called 'ma'am,' men offer to return my cart for me at the store, etc.
One time, I was walking towards the door to exit a gas station, and a big, hairy man clad in leather and tatoos was somewhat blocking the door. As I approached, he moved out of the way, opened the door, did a slight bow, and nicely said 'ma'am.' That was neat.
One day, the kids and I were out walking, and there was a church van driving around. The man driving it stopped, and gave us a flyer to a park where his church was having a party, praise, and sermon at the park. It sounded fun, so we went. The man on the microphone there stopped talking, looked right at me, and then said "it's so nice that people from other religions have come to join us today." Huh! LOL. That was a good laugh.
In my experience, there have been far more blessings than not, in practicing the head covering.
If you are considering head covering, just give it a try, and you'll notice your own blessings.
