Paul and Women Veiling in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16: Assessing the Interpretation and Translation of evxousi,an e;cein evpi. th/j kefalh/j dia. tou.j avgge,louj (1 Cor 11: 10) in the Light of its Socio-Cultural Context

Abstract

Some scholars hold that 1 Corinthians 11: 2-16 forbids women from prophesying or praying with unveiled heads. But this text is difficult due to the phrase evxousi,an e;cein evpi. th/j kefalh/j dia. tou.j avgge,louj (to have authority on the head because of the angels). The problem occurs when ka,lumma (veil) substitutes evxousi,an e;cein (to have authority). Other problems are on the phrases dia. tou.j avgge,louj (because of the angels) and evpi. th/j kefalh/j (on the head), which allegedly denote male superiority and female inferiority. Veiling in the socio-cultural context of the text defined the status of women as inferior compared to that of men. Yet the text never authenticated superiority and authority of men over women. Rather, it inspired women to wisely exercise their right to veil their heads so as to avert dissuading people from worship and to avoid defying the Roman law.
Keywords: Paul, Translation, Interpretation, Women Veiling, Male Superiority, Women Subordination, Socio-Cultural Contents