1 Corinthians 11:5 Meaning and Explanation
“But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered brings dishonor, like one whose head is shaved.
What Does 1 Corinthians 11:5 Mean?
Paul now addresses the women of the congregation, who likewise pray and prophesy in the assembly. In Corinth a respectable woman covered her head in public worship; to uncover it carried a meaning as shameful, Paul says, as appearing with the head shaved.
The point is not the cloth itself but the honor it signified. Paul takes for granted that women have a voice in worship, lifting prayer and speaking God's word; his concern is that they do so in a way that brings honor rather than scandal. Cultures change what counts as fitting, but the call to worship with dignity, and to consider how our freedom affects others, abides in every age.
1 Corinthians 11:5 in the Original Language
akatakaluptos (ἀκατακάλυπτος), 'uncovered' -- without a veil or covering over the head.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 11:5
What does 1 Corinthians 11:5 mean?
A woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered brings dishonor, like one whose head is shaved.