1 Corinthians 11:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul invites the Corinthians to judge for themselves what is fitting in worship.
What Does 1 Corinthians 11:13 Mean?
Having laid out his reasoning, Paul now turns the matter back to the Corinthians' own judgment. He asks them to weigh, by their own sense of what is seemly, whether uncovered prayer befits the moment of approaching God.
This is a mark of respect for the reader's conscience. Paul does not merely command; he trusts them to perceive what is fitting. Notice again that he assumes the woman prays unto God; the question is only the manner of her reverence. There is wisdom here for every believer: alongside clear teaching, God gives us discernment to read what honors Him in our own time and place, and asks us to use it.
1 Corinthians 11:13 in the Original Language
prepo (πρέπω), 'comely' -- to be fitting, becoming, or suitable to the occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 11:13
What does 1 Corinthians 11:13 mean?
Paul invites the Corinthians to judge for themselves what is fitting in worship.