Dr. Bernard, I want to ask you a question about 1 Corinthians 11 5 through 6, where Paul wrote,

But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head,

for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved, for if a woman is not covered,

let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.

I'm asking you about these verses, because some Christian groups have interpreted this,

these verses to mean that a woman should wear a head covering when she's praying. And since, of course,

Christian women should be ready to pray at all times, essentially then the teaching extends that

they should wear a head covering at all times, regardless of whether or not they're in church.

Is that what Paul meant in 1st Corinthians chapter 11 when he's talking about head coverings?

Let me give you two answers. My first answer, which I personally think, is no, Paul is not

requiring a physical covering in addition to long hair, but in essence, he is speaking of the

long hair itself as a symbolic covering or veil. And I'll, I'll explain why I think that's the

more accurate understanding. However, there are some people, and especially in some other countries

where they have different translations and different customs, it seems more likely to them there's a

physical veil. In that case, what I would argue is this. Paul would

be saying whatever is culturally appropriate for a woman, including for modesty or gender

distinction wearing a physical veil, but the reason for that is because God has given long hair.

So in other words, the alternative

interpretation would be, yes, in your culture, if that's what a woman should wear, I advise

to wear it, because the underlying example that God is given for all cultures of all people

everywhere is the hair. So we end up with the same thing

that long hair would be expected for a woman in God's plan, but a physical veil in

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