Reflections on 1 Corinthians 11:10
“It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.” (1 Corinthians 11:10, NIV)
Why the angels?
Of all the strange verses in this chapter, this one seems the strangest. What do angels have to do with what a woman wears on her head? The translators can’t agree on what she wears—some say a symbol of subjection, others a sign of authority—but every one of them keeps the angels. They are watching.
Looked at through the eyes of Love, it is not hard to understand. Christ intended the relationship between Adam and Eve to show the Love relationship within the Godhead, and how that Love flows out into all creation in the care given to each created being. Paul says elsewhere that we have been made a theater to the world, to angels and to men (1 Corinthians 4:9). Woman’s relationship to her husband is God’s character of Love played out on that stage.
Growing into one
As Eve honored Adam in her heart and mind, the angels could see her growing more like her husband, taking on his traits of character. And since Adam’s head is Christ, and he mirrored the Glory of Christ—His character—that was the character Eve was drawing into as she became one with her husband. Not just joining him, but being drawn into something that called to her. Being drawn in usually means losing yourself, but in perfect Love you don’t. Love encourages you to be who you are.
This is what being one with someone is like. You share your hearts only to discover you were already thinking along the same lines. You don’t need to pick up the phone and check with your husband on most things, because you already know you are on the same page about the foundations of your life together. The answer already lives in your heart and mind. His loving presence fills you even when he is away. You are covered with his love and care—all the little things fixed, his hands always busy doing something to please you, not because you asked, just because he wants to make you happy. And that love is returned in all you do to make his home a pleasant, welcoming place for him.
Love speaks in different ways, though. My husband is a fixer. He knows that because of the confusion of my upbringing and the abuse I suffered, when I am in emotional turmoil I cannot tolerate clutter or brokenness around me; I just start cleaning. So when something has gut-punched me, sweet little things done to straighten and put in order calm me quicker than a hug. Jumping in with me to clean a closet while I sort out my hurt is the best way he can support me. Other husbands may speak their love in words, or with flowers. Do not judge your relationship by someone else’s. Allow your husband to express his love, and be willing to see it in who he is. Nurture the one you have. It is good, and it is perfect for you.
This is the covering a woman wears. His authority is not laid on her from outside; it has become her own. His character, his love for her, is part of who she is. It is not domination or subjection, simply the natural law of relationship: you become like the one you worship and admire. So her head shines out of her eyes. What the angels see is love drawing two separate people to work and act as one while each remains fully themselves. All the specialness of you is still in you, and you glow from the inside out with the personality that is uniquely yours. The two have become one, but remain themselves.
The answer to Satan’s lies
This union was God’s answer to the accusations against Him. God is Love. Everything He does is for the best interest of His whole creation, and because Love flows from Him throughout His universe, all creation thrives—growing, becoming more, happy in who they are, wanting to bless everyone in their sphere of influence. A man uplifting his wife through loving care was how God planned to show the angels how His own Love works.
Very little time was given for that to play out. Then Adam fell, and everything changed. He threw Eve under the bus: Why did You make her? It was her fault—and Yours. It was the first self-protecting act the universe and the angels had ever seen. How shocking it must have been to watch the man who had been willing to die with her lose all love and care for her the moment he broke trust with Christ. All that was left was fear of the future and the need to protect himself.
Seeing Him again
It has taken nearly six thousand years of healing for humanity to be able to view God again, to see the truth about Him. But we can begin to see Him again—and as we do, we become like the God we worship. The angels are still watching, waiting to see that broken picture restored. They saw the first act of self-protection. Now they are seeing damaged humanity healed, acting in love for others without regard for self, and they rejoice (Luke 15:10). What they long to see on our heads is not a piece of cloth, but Love.
Questions to sit with
- If the angels looked at your closest relationship today, what would they learn about God?
- Where have you felt that being one with someone made you more yourself, not less?
- When fear pushes you toward self-protection, what helps you see God’s Love again?
