It
appears to this student that how this passage is applied depends on two factors
in Paul’s argument. First, in v2, he
says he is talking about a “tradition.”
Thus some conclude this is a matter of tradition; as in some of Paul’s
arguments in Ch. 7 on marriage this is a matter that is not binding. Others would argue that Paul bases his
argument both in the order of creation as well as common sense based in nature (v14).
·
The principle, v2-3. There is order, headship and submission, in
all of Creation. The man bears the image
AND glory of God; the woman bears the glory of the man (v7). This is all based in the fact that the man was
created first and the woman was created for the man (v8-9; an argument also
used in 1 Tim. 2:9-15). This is a truth
for the home but also for the Church.
The same relationships should be evident. And note that it is more than men and women;
this is evident in the Trinity as well. There
is a magnificent truth: Jesus is the focus for both men and women in how they
are to live. As the man is the head, so
Christ is the head of the man. The man
must learn submission to his head as well, and learn headship from Christ (Eph.
5:25-28). Likewise the woman looks to
Christ to learn submission because He is submissive to His Father. These relations are neither the basis for
pride or of feeling demeaned. Each is exalted
when they put on the Lord Jesus Christ!
·
The principle is applied in v4-7. The principle is headship and submission; the
practice that demonstrates the principle deals with head coverings.
·
The principle is upheld in Creation in v8-12. The connection with Genesis is fundamental,
something the people of the world will not recognize. The opening chapters of Genesis set the order
for many things and marriage and the relationship of men and women are among
those. Jesus also based His teaching on
marriage and divorce on Genesis (Matt. 19:4-6).
There is a Creator; He created according to His will; and to this day
the wisdom to live on this earth is found in His Book.
·
The application to the Church by head-coverings
is upheld in v13-16. Paul sees it as common
sense just looking at what is normal around him in society. But note again the use of a term, custom.
Tradition (v2) was a term used
by the Jews to refer to oral traditions passed down that told how to apply the
Law to specific situations. Custom simply refers to something done
on a regular basis so that it becomes a way of life. Both terms seem to indicate the specifics of
head-covering are not commanded but are the application of a principle that
must be displayed in the Church.
Having
said all this, we have found ourselves to be quite comfortable in both
settings, spending as much time as we do in Israel and Ukraine where
head-coverings are common, though not always mandatory. Let us not miss the great truths bound up in
Creation concerning who we are by the Creator’s will. Let us rejoice in it and use headship and
submission to display likeness to Christ.
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