Headship and the Role of Women (1 Cor. 11:5-11)

A brother asked me if the above passage teaches that women are required to wear a headpiece in the worship service and gives license to women preachers. My response is the following: “While the issue of the passage is primarily about headship, in my view, the topic of women preachers is incidentally implied when Paul mentioned them in 1 Cor. 11:5. I have never understood that as an argument in favor of women preachers in light of 1 Tim. 2:11-15; 1 Cor. 14:34-35. There may have been women in the church at Corinth who felt Christian liberty meant freedom from submission to all men, including their husbands. That seems to be a reasonable speculation. Paul brings up the topic of headship rather abruptly (v. 3) and apparently relates it to ‘tradition’ (v. 2) which is not clearly defined to me. Nevertheless, Paul’s comments (vss. 3-16) are his apparent response to the women’s issue. Of course, he was guided by the Holy Spirit in his explanation (2 Peter 1:20-21). I believe Paul would approve of women teaching other women (Titus2:3-5). As far as the application of 1 Cor. 11:1-16, I believe it would have applied to all the local churches in Paul’s day as well as to churches today. The attitude of both men and women toward practicing the godly principles taught in the passage is what’s of utmost importance. That’s how Paul concludes his response (11:16). Again, in my view, I don’t believe this passage argues for women preachers, especially when it comes to exercising authority over men in the church (1 Tim. 2:12). When they are violating the clear teaching set forth in 1Tim. 2:11-15; 1 Cor. 14:34-35, and the principles of 1 Cor. 11:1-16, then God will determine the consequences. From my observation, women’s leadership over men in the church has, for the most part, resulted in weak doctrine and thus an adulterated “gospel” and shallow Bible teaching, though not in every case. I believe the male’s headship in the home (Eph. 5:23) is God’s pattern set forth for the church. Our roles are different (thank God males can’t have babies) but equally important. Although in the household the woman’s role is subordinate to the man’s, they are equal in the bed (1 Cor. 7:4-5). But, they are never equal in the church(1 Cor. 14:34-35). Family and church problems are inevitable when God’s Word is not faithfully followed. It’s unfortunate that the issue itself is a problem in the church, but we need to pray for God to guide us to line up with His Word. Blessings!” Feel free to disagree but don’t feel free to get angry and withdraw your Christian love from me. If you do, that proves that I love you more than you love me . Blessings anyway