Headcoverings and Women’s Roles in the Church -- By: Laurie C. Hurshman
Journal: Priscilla Papers
Volume: PP 17:1 (Winter 2003)
Article: Headcoverings and Women’s Roles in the Church
Author: Laurie C. Hurshman
PP 17:1 (Winter 2003) p. 16
Headcoverings and Women’s Roles in the Church
A new reading of 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
Editor’s Note: This article is reprinted with permission from Christian Ethics Today and is based on research done by Laurie Hurshman in her senior year at Williams College (MA) with the aid of her adviser, Chris Smith, currently pastor of University Baptist Church, East Lansing, MI, who also utilized the research for a sermon; they developed this biblical study for CET.
Both sides in the current debate over the role of women in the church appeal to the Bible to support their positions. Those who feel that there should be no restrictions on women’s ministries appeal to examples found throughout the Scriptures of women serving faithfully and effectively as prophets, judges, apostles, teachers, and in countless other roles of leadership and service. Those who believe that some roles must be reserved for men typically appeal, on the other hand, to three passages found in Paul’s writings: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, and 1 Timothy 2:8-15. Even if one agrees with a restrictive reading of these passages, one must, however, also acknowledge that each presents numerous textual, translational, and interpretive problems. All who turn to the Bible for ethical guidance should therefore be concerned with the solution of these problems so that the Bible’s teaching might be more clearly understood and the entire church benefit.
This article is an attempt to solve one specific problem: the proper translation of the word exousia in 1 Corinthians 11:10 (“For this reason the woman ought to have exousia over her head, because of the angels”). The translation of this word has been given much attention, because it is crucial for understanding the passage (11:2-16). Based on the way Paul uses this and related terms (exexti, exousiazein) consistently throughout this Epistle (6:12, 7:4, 7:37, 8:9, 9:4-6, 9:12, 10:23) it should mean something like “freedom of choice.” The statement s...
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