1 Corinthians 11:3-16 English Standard Version
3 But I want you to understand that (A)the head of every man is Christ, (B)the head of a wife[a] is her husband,[b] and (C)the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife[c] who prays or (D)prophesies (E)with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same (F)as if her head were shaven. 6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since (G)he is the image and glory of God, but (H)woman is the glory of man. 8 For (I)man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but (J)woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.[d] 11 Nevertheless, (K)in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And (L)all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 (M)If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do (N)the churches of God.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 11:3 Greek gunē. This term may refer to a woman or a wife, depending on the context
- 1 Corinthians 11:3 Greek anēr. This term may refer to a man or a husband, depending on the context
- 1 Corinthians 11:5 In verses 5–13, the Greek word gunē is translated wife in verses that deal with wearing a veil, a sign of being married in first-century culture
- 1 Corinthians 11:10 Or messengers, that is, people sent to observe and report
Cross references
- 1 Corinthians 11:3 : Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Col. 1:18
- 1 Corinthians 11:3 : See Gen. 3:16
- 1 Corinthians 11:3 : [ch. 3:23]
- 1 Corinthians 11:5 : Luke 2:36; Acts 21:9; [ch. 14:34]
- 1 Corinthians 11:5 : [Num. 5:18]
- 1 Corinthians 11:5 : Deut. 21:12
- 1 Corinthians 11:7 : See Gen. 1:26
- 1 Corinthians 11:7 : [Prov. 12:4]
- 1 Corinthians 11:8 : Gen. 2:21-23; [1 Tim. 2:13]
- 1 Corinthians 11:9 : Gen. 2:18
- 1 Corinthians 11:11 : Gal. 3:28
- 1 Corinthians 11:12 : See Rom. 11:36
- 1 Corinthians 11:16 : 1 Tim. 6:3, 4
- 1 Corinthians 11:16 : 2 Thess. 1:4; [1 Thess. 2:14]; See ch. 7:17; 10:32
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
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