Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 45:1 (NA 1994)
Article: The Significance Of ’Anti In 1 Corinthians 11:15
Author: Alan G. Padgett

TynBul 45:1 (1994) p. 181

The Significance Of ’Anti
In 1 Corinthians 11:15

Alan G. Padgett

Summary

After discussing two readings of 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 (the traditional view and an alternative) the article explores the importance of a right understanding of the preposition ἀντί (‘instead of’) in verse 15. It is argued that various lexical choices make no logical difference in this case. Paul is simply stating that nature has given women hair instead of (or, as the equivalent of) a covering. This conclusion adds probability to the alternative reading being proposed.

The overall interpretation of a text will influence our decision as to the meaning and significance of particular words in it. But the opposite should also be true: the meaning of particular words and sentences should influence our interpretation of a text as a whole. This article explores the meaning of a single term in 1 Corinthians 11:15, ‘instead of’ (ἀντί), and its implications for our understanding of the larger pericope.

Scholars have an ongoing puzzlement about Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16.1 There is a wide variety of views as to the meaning of this pericope, and the logic of Paul’s argument in it.2 I cannot here discuss the many issues involved, but a survey of two possible options for the reading of the passage should serve as a useful introduction to the problem we are focusing on in verse 15.

TynBul 45:1 (1994) p. 182

The traditional interpretation of this passage argues that Paul is imposing a custom of ‘covering’ on a group of women that were refusing to cover themselves in worship, while praying and prophesying. Paul’s argument, on this interpretation, rests on four bases: (1) an argument from ‘shame’ (αἰσχρός; vv. 4-6); (2) an argument from ‘headship’ (κεφαλή) understood as authority (vv. 3-6); (3) an argument from the order of creation (vv. 7-9), and (4) an argument from ‘nature’ understood as custom (vv. 13-16). In each case, the point Paul is making is the same, according to this majority view. Women ...