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“Keeping A Lid On It”
Categories: MEN & WOMEN, NEW TESTAMENT, PRAYER, WORSHIPBased on 1 Cor 11:4-7, can a man pray while wearing a hat/cap?Sincerely,
Covered or Uncovered?
Dear Covered or Uncovered,
1 Cor 11:1-15 is a discussion of men’s and women’s roles. Part of that discussion involves the way that men and women look. Women are supposed to be veiled (1 Cor 11:5), and God has given women a natural veil – their long hair (1 Cor 11:15). Likewise men are supposed to have heads that are unveiled (1 Cor 11:4), i.e. short hair (1 Cor 11:14). It is always wrong for a man to have long, feminine hair. There is great debate over whether or not a man wearing a hat while praying is a sin. One cannot be too dogmatic on this point. The verses of first Corinthians eleven are primarily dealing with hair length, not with caps or hats.
Having said that, it is culturally appropriate in America for a man to take his hat off while praying – as a sign of respect. Therefore, since we cannot all agree on whether leaving the hat on is a sin, but we can be sure that removing the hat is respectful… probably just best to take the hat off (Rom 14:13).
