For those of us who have decided to wear a headcovering according to God’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, one of the very first questions that comes to our minds is: Should I cover all the time or just during church?
My Personal Journey
I had to work through this issue early on in my headcovering journey, which started in November of 2012. I’ve seen some people comment that those women who wear a covering only some of the time are not obeying God completely. But I think it may be a little more complex than that: there might actually be some very good reasons for either of the two headcovering approaches.
Originally, I had considered covering full time. However, my husband objected to this. Having been raised in a Catholic tradition where the women in his family had veiled only during mass, he didn’t see the need for covering all the time. Additionally, I think he liked seeing my hair. Another concern for him was that he didn’t want me appearing in public looking as if I belonged to a denomination we are not members of. He preferred for me to cover only at church and, if I wanted to, during family devotions in our home. So, my husband’s opinion was what really cemented this issue for me.
I think that by allowing my husband to have his say and by respecting and following his beliefs, I am obeying God competely. The headcovering is supposed to symbolize God’s order for the church, for society, and for the home. For the married woman, headcovering represents submission to her husband. How would it make sense for me to wear something that means I submit to my husband, while not submitting to my husband by wearing it at times he doesn’t want me to?
There were other, secondary reasons I decided to cover mainly during church. The Bible seemed to me to support that interpretation. Also, Jeremy Gardiner’s articles about this subject on the Head Covering Movement site were an additional influence.
Though I may someday begin covering full time if my husband supports it, for now I’m happy with our choice that I cover only during church and family devotions at home. In no way do I think that by covering part time I am somehow superior to women who cover full time, nor do I believe that by covering full time they are obeying God more completely than I, since the way I see it, there are good reasons for both choices.
Below, I talk about some of those reasons. Why cover full time? Why cover part time? My hope is that after reading this article and thinking through the information, you will be able to decide for yourself what the best route is for you. And, even if you already are a staunch supporter of one approach over the other, it may help you appreciate the complexities of the issue more fully.
I don’t talk about all the reasons but touch on the main ones. Later, I would like to address some specific points (such as headcovering and the angels). For now, this article provides a brief overview of what I see as the strongest reasons in support of covering full time, and the strongest reasons in support of covering part time.
Full-time Headcovering
Let’s start with the points in favor of covering full time. There are four main reasons:
REASON ONE (PRAYING)
Since the headcovering passage itself (1 Cor. 11:2-16) does not seem to necessarily or specifically limit praying or prophesying to the church gathering, we might apply it to everyday activities.
For example, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to “pray without ceasing.” As we go about our day, there may arise many opportunities for praying, whether out loud or in our hearts. Wearing a headcovering helps us be prepared for all such opportunities, without having to take a covering off and then put it back on various times throughout the day. In other words, we’re always read to pray!
REASON TWO (PROPHESYING)
First Corinthians 14:34-35 reads: “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
From these verses, we learn that women are supposed to be “silent” during church. Since 1 Cor. 11:2-16 (the headcovering passage) commands women to cover while prophesying, according to the “complete silence” view this would most likely not include the church gathering but other times.
A woman might consider herself to be “prophesying” while she teaches her children from the Bible, or when she shares truths from the Bible with other people. Having a covering on enables her to be immediately ready for those situations.
REASON THREE (COVERING HER GLORY)
First Corinthians 11:13-15 teaches that another reason a Christain woman should cover her head is for the purpose of covering her “glory,” which is her long, feminine hair:
“Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”
In this case, modesty would seem to require she cover her hair with an additional fabric covering not only during church gatherings, but all the time, since we need to be modest at all times and not just at church. In other words, it wouldn’t be right to flaunt our “glory,” which is our beautiful hair. It was given as a natural covering, yes; but the reason the Bible mentions it here is only to show how wearing a fabric covering is consistent with nature’s own covering. Many women believe it best to reserve the unveiling of their “glory” for their own husbands at home.
REASON FOUR (REMEMBERING THE HEADSHIP ORDER)
Perhaps most importantly, wearing a headcovering full time helps a woman remember her place in God’s beautiful design, as helpmeet to her husband and as under his authority (1 Cor. 11:3, 7-9). She is not only under his authority at church, but all the time, and a headcovering can be a useful and constant reminder of this.
I will not here go into a fifth possible reason for full-time headcovering, which has to do with the angels. As noted earlier, if I’m able I’d like to address that separately in another post.
SUMMARY OF REASONS FOR FULL-TIME COVERING
Women who cover full time say that having a piece of cloth covering their heads is a helpful reminder to them throughout the day that they are to be submissive to those God has placed in authority over them and maintain a modest, humble attitude. It also helps them to be ready to pray and share God’s truth with others at any moment.
Many women testify that once they began headcovering, they noticed other areas of their lives that needed changing as well, such as the way they dressed and their overall attitude toward other people in general and their husband in particular.
They feel that headcovering is a benefit best taken advantage of more often than just on Sunday mornings.
Part-time Headcovering
Now, let’s take a look at a couple points that favor covering part time. (There may be fewer reasons discussed here than for full-time covering, but that doesn’t automatically mean that it has weaker biblical support.)
REASON ONE (PROPHESYING)
Though 1 Cor. 11:2-16 does not seem to necessarily or specifically limit praying or prophesying to the church gathering, we might still assume that the church gathering is being referenced.
Why?
When prophesying is being discussed later on in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14, it is within the context of the church gathering. Here are a few sample verses which show this:
1 Cor. 14:4-5: “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.”
1 Cor. 14:22-25: “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.”
Also worth noting is that the chapter which discusses headcovering is divided neatly into two sections, the first about headcovering and the second about the Lord’s Supper.
Section One (verses 2-16) begins by saying, “Now I praise you, brethren . . .” and Section Two (verses 17-34) begins by saying, “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.”
Clearly, Section Two (the Lord’s Supper section) is referring to what believers do when they come together, so it may be safe to assume that Section One (the headcovering section) is dealing with actions taking place within that same context. The almost identical phrases “Now I praise you” and “Now . . . I praise you not” seem to indicate both sections of chapter 11 are connected, and that both refer to the church gathering.
If that is so, then headcovering should at least be practiced during the church gathering but does not necessarily need to be practiced the rest of the time.
However, we are still left with the problem of how to harmonize chapter 11 with chapter 14, verse 34, which says that women must “keep silence in the churches.”
When the Holy Spirit allowed women to prophesy while wearing a headcovering in chapter 11, either He meant prophesying in a different context from chapter 14 (the church gathering), or He meant prophesying in a different way.
Is it possible for women to prophesy in the church and still keep silence?
Maybe — depending on what is meant by “silence.” For example, 1 Timothy 2:11-12 reads: “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”
It seems that the type of speaking in question is that which would cause the woman to be in a position of authority over the man. But, I can think of several situations where a woman might be considered to be “prophesying,” while not being in authority over men:
- Praying with and exhorting other women during a set-apart time during the service for an “altar call.”
- Praying together with the congregation, either by taking turns (this might take place in an informal meeting) or by praying out loud all together (some churches do this.)
- Teaching a children’s Sunday School class.
- Sharing her testimony with the whole congregation.
- Singing, whether individually or with the choir or worship team.
Perhaps, when the Holy Spirit allowed women to prophesy while wearing a headcovering He was allowing them to do so for these certain kinds of activities. But, that was not supposed to include any sort of prophesying that would place them in authority over men. So, “praying or prophesying” could indeed be referring to the church gathering if we harmonize chapters 11 and 14 in that way; this is the “limited silence” view.
REASON TWO (APPRECIATING HER GOD-GIVEN GLORY)
Instead of viewing her long, feminine hair, her “glory,” as something a woman should keep covered during her daily life for modesty reasons, we could see her beautiful, feminine hair as something she should keep uncovered during her daily life. Why do I say this?
Because, as 1 Cor. 11:15 points out, her long hair is a glory to her, given to her by God as A Natural Covering (though not The Main Covering). It would appear that it is a gift meant to be enjoyed, as a way of saying Thank You to God for making her a “glorious” woman.
So, when not gathered together with other believers where she would be required to cover her glory with a piece of cloth, a woman’s hair functions as a natural type of covering which declares her femininity. During her daily life, her long, beautiful hair was perhaps meant to be shown to express her womanliness. By doing this, she honors God Who gave her this natural covering.
Again, for emphasis, it is only during the acts of praying or prophesying, while gathered together with the church, when she would have to cover her glory, as 1 Cor. 1:29 says: “that no flesh should glory in [God’s] presence.”
SUMMARY OF REASONS FOR PART-TIME COVERING
Women who cover part time say that doing so helps them appreciate the covering more since it is not an everyday part of their lives but a special, set apart, unordinary part of their worship together with other believers.
They believe that they participate in the church gathering by praying and prophesying in a limited function, which includes activities that do not put them in authority over male leadership.
They also believe that God gave them their long hair to be a part of their glory, something which He does not require them to hide all the time but only during the specific acts of praying or prophesying. It was meant to be a gift to be enjoyed. It was also meant to help show their femininity.
Conclusion
There are some good reasons why a woman might decide to wear a headcovering full time, and there are some good reasons why a woman might decide not to wear a covering full time, but only part of the time.
Each of us has to study God’s Word carefully and come to our own conclusion about this, while respecting our husband’s opinion and preference.
Finally, I would love for all of us who believe in headcovering for Christian women to support each other in this, whatever our position may be!
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What’s your take on the full-time/part-time issue? Do you cover full time or part time? What led you to that choice?
~Jessica
Thank you for sharing Jessica. I cover full-time so I will be always prepared to pray. We need to support each other as Christian head covering women and not be judgemental of how each woman decides to apply 1 Corinthians 11. We really need all the support we can get since many of us attend churches where covering is not practiced. And in some cases, it’s frowned upon.
Good points, Regina!
I agree that we need to support each other. It can be hard to be a loner at church.
~Jessica
As a Catholic I went through a very similar process to you. I do feel called to cover full time but at my husbands request I wear a more nominal cover generally and a full cover for prayer and Church.
Thanks for your input, Susanne!
I think that if I ever do start to cover full time, I will probably do so in a fashion similar to yours. 🙂
~Jessica
I too am Catholic and have come to the same conclusion, mainly for the reason of the Real Presence. There is a distinct difference between when He is fully present in the Eucharist, thus I veil, and when He is not, thus I do not. Covering then signifies more clearly His true actual presence.
Jamie – it is a while since I wrote this and have moved on a bit. I wear a very full coverage (i.e. all of my hair) mantilla style for Church. Full time I am now wearing something more like a snood, covering my hair but not my neck etc. I entirely take your point about the Eucharist, but I feel a strong call to cover in modesty and submission full time.
I do the same!
Trying to connect with Catholic women who cover their head full time. We are three ladies (one in Oklahoma one in Indiana and another in Idaho.) We all cover full time now. Please email if you can. Thank you! May Gods Most adorable will be praised!
I am Catholic and have been covering most of the time.
I am a Catholic and have been full-time head covering for almost three years now. I have five friends in various states that try to wear a head covering full time as well, and I know of a couple other ladies that are considering it. It is a wonderful devotion that has definitely helped me grow in virtue and submission to my husband. Praise God that it is a practice coming back among Catholic women, even slowly!
I am Catholic and have been covering full time for 4 years now. A conviction which I have to say has only grown with time. I cover for modesty and in submission to Our Lord and my husband.
Hi,Jessica.I cover full time with headband.One of the reason of my practice is that my husband did not be against it.I think that agreement
and understanding of our husband is so important.As you say,headcovering is a symbolism of obeidence to God and husband.
Wonderful, Sanae!
I’m glad your husband accepted your covering full time with a headband. I’ve seen some of your coverings on your Google+ page, and they are beautiful!
~Jessica
Hallo Jessica,
I found this blog in looking after your address.It seemed to me that it has changed. I wrote a few words in March, and lately in october, and no answer was coming. Thank you for this blog, and the good article about head-covering.
I have had the oppotunity to share about head-covering a little bit with our daughter Prisca(25 years old), and we spoke recently much about modest dressing. She thinks about it. I am thankful to the Lord for it. May God bless you and your whole family. Marguerite
Hi, Marguerite!
I wonder why I missed your emails? I will have to check and see if I can find them! Your messages are always very much appreciated!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this article and that you like my blog. I’m also glad that you had the chance to talk to your daughter, Prisca, about headcovering and modesty–that’s great! What a blessing that you were able to have that time with her.
May God bless you and your family, too!
~Jessica
Hello Jessica! What a wonderful blog post! I’ve recently began covering pretty much full time. For me, it’s a sign of humility and complete surrender to God. I do not want my “glory” to be seen, but His, at this moment in my life. I also am working through Isaiah 47:1-3 which seems that the Lord *might* consider uncovered hair to be nakedness. I pretty much wear a $1 Walmart bandana every day lately. I’ve chosen to wear these since they are readily available to the public, and I won’t be confused as a Mennonite, for example. My husband is fully supportive. If he wasn’t, I most definitely would reconsider.
Again, thank you for this post. Your blog is such a blessing!
Awesome, Nicole!
Most of the women I know who cover do so full time, and for mostly the same reasons, with slight variations. Still, I love to hear about each woman’s personal journey; we all have our own “flavor” of headcovering, which is beautiful.
Thank you for giving us the tip about buying bandanas from Walmart, and thanks for your very kind remarks–I really appreciate them! Your blog is a blessing, too! 🙂
~Jessica
Thanks for writing this blog post! Though I cover full-time, I agree with you on pretty much everything. I used to be the only one with a headcovering in my old church and I only wore it on Sunday back then. Not even my mother wore a headcovering, even though Papa was the one who taught the sermon on headcovering that made me aware of the topic. Now we (without Mama and my little sister unfortunately) are part of a small house church that has agreed to make headcovering a rule during church service and church prayer times (like before eating together as the house church), as we see it as a command in the bible. Of all sisters in our church I am so far the only one who has decided after a while to cover full-time, but everyone is fine with it and I am fine with the others covering part-time, because I know they are sincere in their attempt to honor God by obeying Him. I know this because headcovereing never seems to get old. It’s strange, how we don’t need to actively make a big deal out of it – that one small piece of cloth in itself is such a test of faith and obedience for many. Just by their reaction to teaching on the subject you get a pretty good glimpse at their relationship with God.
I loved the testimony you shared, Erika! Thank you!
Though I’m sorry to hear about your mother and sister, it does make me very glad to know that your father taught about headcovering, and that you attend a small headcovering church! I also admire your gracious spirit. 🙂
It’s so nice to hear that you enjoyed my post–you’re welcome!
~Jessica
This is very wise advice. The head covering is such a sweet symbol of modesty. It is also important for one’s husband to be in agreement.
Thank you for adding your thoughts, Mrs. White! I really appreciate it!
~Jessica
Dear Mrs. White,
I just took a peek at your blog and realized that you are the author of a book I recently purchased on Amazon! (Living on His Income) I would like to read your other books, too. I just signed up for email notifications and look forward to reading more. 🙂
~Jessica
Dear Jessica,
That is wonderful! I also just signed up for email notifications for your blog. I appreciate the gentle kindness in your posts.
Mrs. White, how nice that you signed up to receive email notifications! Thank you for following my blog, and for the lovely compliment. 🙂
~Jessica
Just an observation but it seems to me that as women, as we think more about Christ and our relationship with God we do find ourselves draw to a number of key positions. Along which are that we should surrender our womb to God, that we should dress more modestly and that nagging feeling that we should cover !
Yes, Susanne, it seems the Holy Spirit is nudging us to get back to God’s ways. Wonderful observation!
~Jessica
Love this article, Jessica! You are both well-reasoned and gracious.
I did not realize that our headcovering journeys had started so close together – you mentioned November 2012 for you, and I believe it was August 2012 for me!! Very cool!
I practice headcovering full-time. That is what my husband requested, and so I did it! 🙂 As you say, it is primarily a matter of submission to one’s husband. We can’t very well wear an authentic sign of submission while doing so in rebellion!
We all do need to show grace to each other. However, I just like to FIND SOMEONE to show grace to, LOL!! In other words, running across anyone who practices headcovering is so rare that I am far more likely to fall on her neck weeping in gratitude than to criticize the particulars of her covering!! It is a lonely journey. I am so thankful to have run across yourself and other ladies online. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone in my local churches or homeschooling groups who also practices headcovering. Too bad. However, grassroots movements have to start somewhere!! 🙂
Here are two sites for you:
(1) I thought this was a lovely video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e5irTBk6as
(2) And a site that I hadn’t seen before for purchasing coverings/veils (Catholic):
https://www.veilsbylily.com/
Thank you for your headcovering articles – they are such a breath of fresh air!!
Love,
Diana
Oh, Diana, you are too funny!
I can relate to that feeling of wanting to find even one other headcovering lady, no matter how she chooses to practice it! Thankfully, I’ve met you and Regina in person, and the other ladies online.
It is mostly on YouTube where I have seen the ungracious comments about my not obeying God fully if I only wear a covering part time. However, I have also had loving support from other women who don’t care whether I cover full time or part time.
Thank you for the links–I look forward to checking them out as soon as I can!
And yes, it is neat that we started covering the same year! This has truly been a beautiful journey.
Thank you for your sunny, encouraging remarks!
~Jessica
Diana,
I was able to check out both links, and they were very inspiring–thank you!
~Jessica
I have been covering full time since April of 2014. I believe there are three significances to the headcovering that have developed in my mind since I have begun to cover.
The first principle is in reference to the woman praying or prophesying with her head covered. This is in recognition of the Divine establishment of order in the universe: God, then Christ, then man, then woman. If this were the only reason to cover, I can see why a woman would choose to cover part time during family and public worship.
The second principle is the physical symbol of the woman’s willing submission to her husband. A woman wearing a covering shows that she rejects the feminist ideas of this world in favor of the Biblical order established by God. Rebekah showed her submission to her husband by putting on a veil when she first was married. I believe also having “power on her head because of the Angels” is significant as well. By donning a cover full time as a sign of being a Christian wife we give testimony to those here on earth and those in the unfallen universe that we are fully in submission to God’s will here in our lives. Since Eve’s first temptation revolved around stepping away from the Divine order and becoming a temptress to her husband, this is the largest area needing surrender in our lives. It is easy in our society where “women’s rights” are the dominating influence to step away from the godly inspired principles of family order and to insist upon our own way. God would have us return to Him. This is one reason I cover full time. It is a living testimony that I reject feminist principles and strive to live in harmony with the Word of God in every area of my life, but especially as a loving and submissive wife.
The third principle is that the covering is such a beautiful symbol of what Christ does for us in the salvation plan. Psalm 91:1 says “He that dwellers in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” In the Strongs Concordance the word for secret place literally means “a cover.” The word to dwell is synonymous with marriage. When we are married to Christ based upon what He has done for us, it is our cover. We shall then dwell under the shadow of the Almighty. This is just so beautiful for me. The cover literally represents the experience of being hidden with Christ in God. This is another reason I cover full time.
Having said this, this is why I personally cover full time. We must each be able to individually answer for our faith. I would never criticize someone for covering just in worship if that is someone else’s conviction. We are answerable to God for our individual conviction of truth and duty, not for someone else’s conviction. I choose not to wear a headband now (I did sometimes in the past) because many women wear headbands with no significance at all. It is no particular testimony in my mind. I wear a couple styles that cover my head so that when someone sees me there is no doubt in their mind that I am a Christian.
May we be able to stand for what we believe is true and this bring glory to God’s kingdom in so doing. 😊
Wonderful, Celina!
It is obvious that you have put a ton of thought into why you cover! Your reasoning is very well-thought out, and I greatly appreciate your sharing it with us. 🙂
I feel so blessed to know you (online), as well as all the other headcovering women who have commented!
~Jessica
Thank you Celina – what a wonderful post. Very inspirational and speaking personally very much an echo of my own conviction.
Praise God!
I am a Jewish convert and something we debated was whether or not a married woman should cover when a non related man enters her own home. Paul settled this debate when he commanded women to cover in church which in the early church took place in peoples homes. No more debate for me!