Do women have to wear head coverings in church? What does 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 mean?

TL;DR:

Head coverings served as a clear cultural distinction between men and women. While we do not need to wear head coverings in church today, we still follow God’s design and order for the church and the family.

what does the bible say?

Paul’s instructions about head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11:3–16 were meant to illustrate submission and headship for the church and family based on the cultural norms of first-century Corinth. Head coverings were a symbol of a woman’s submission to her husband in that place and time; this specific cultural expression of submission is not a universal command for today. However, the passage’s principle remains relevant: Christians should reflect God’s design for order and authority in their attitudes and conduct. This means embracing humility, modesty, and a heart that honors God, regardless of cultural customs. Instead of focusing on external appearances, believers should strive to demonstrate inner beauty and Christlike character.

from the old testament

The cultural practice of head coverings in church is found in the New Testament.

from the new testament

First Corinthians 11:3–16 discusses women wearing head coverings in church. The instructions regarding head coverings are in context of a discussion on submission and headship. Head coverings are an illustration of submission. To understand this illustration, one would need to be familiar with the local customs of Corinth in the first century. Women in that time and area typically wore a head covering while men did not. This was one clear cultural distinction between men and women.
First Corinthians 11:3 gives a sort of "chain of command": God the Father, God the Son, the husband, and the wife.
Apparently, some Christian women in Corinth were rejecting the cultural norm to have their heads covered. In that society, women with heads uncovered in public were signaling their sexual availability, or association with idol worship. Apparently, some women of the church in Corinth were failing to cover their heads while praying and prophesying in church. Paul says bluntly that this practice brings shame on their husbands, fathers, or the male head of their household (1 Corinthians 11:6).
This passage also discusses hair length. Again, in that time and culture long hair was associated with women and not men: "Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering" (1 Corinthians 11:14–15).

implications for today

Because of the illustrative purpose of this passage, it would not be accurate to teach that the Bible commands women must wear a head covering in church today. While there is nothing wrong with the practice, it is a cultural issue rather than a biblical command for all times and places. Still today, in some cultures a head covering or headscarf is culturally appropriate for women. However, in Western culture, a hat or head covering is typically a fashion accessory. Rather than focus on any one specific item of clothing, the Bible gives principles for the kind of attitude a woman should focus on having rather than what a woman should wear—one of humility, modesty, and a heart that honors God (1 Peter 3:3–4). The emphasis is on reflecting an inner beauty that stems from a gentle and quiet spirit, rather than outward adornment. While cultural expressions of modesty and respect may change over time, the underlying principle remains constant: women (and men) should dress and conduct themselves in ways that bring glory to God and reflect a heart surrendered to Him. This means seeking to reflect Christ in our character and attitudes, regardless of cultural trends or expectations.

understand

Head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11 were a cultural illustration of submission and headship.
The Bible does not command head coverings today as a universal rule.
Christians should focus on humility, modesty, and honoring God’s order in all conduct.

reflect

How can you show humility and honor God’s order in your life, regardless of cultural expectations?
What attitudes or behaviors reflect a heart that is surrendered to God and focused on inner beauty?
How can you balance honoring biblical principles while living in a culture with different norms?

engage

There are varying interpretations of 1 Corinthians 11:3–16, with some viewing head coverings as a cultural practice that no longer applies and others seeing it as a timeless principle for expressing submission and headship. These differences often arise from contrasting perspectives on cultural context, symbolism, and how to apply biblical teachings to modern settings. How does understanding the cultural context of 1 Corinthians 11 help you engage with different interpretations of the passage today?
What are some examples of cultural expressions that have changed over time, and how is this different than things that are true regardless of culture?
How can submission and humility be expressed in a way that honors God, regardless of cultural customs or expectations?