Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ 1 Corinthians

[Noah]

Powerful Hair because of the Angels in 1 Corinthians 11?

I came across this verse while reading 1 Corinthians 11 and don't really understand it.

"For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels."

1 Corinthians 11:10 KJV

I get that Paul wants the woman to have long hair and the men have short hair, but what is this "power because of the angels"?

[jimwalton]

A.T. Robertson, Marvin Vincent, and Leon Morris all agree that: "This startling phrase ("because of the angels") has caused all kinds of conjecture that may be dismissed. It is not preachers that Paul has in mind, nor evil angels who could be tempted (Gn. 6.1ff), but angels present in worship (cf. 1 Cor. 4.9; Ps. 138.1) who would be shocked at the conduct of the women since the angels themselves veil their faces before YHWH (Isa. 6.2)."

My take on it is that maybe he means that what counts is not culture or status, but what glorifies God.