Reasons for the Veil Regulation
Using proper etiquette when approaching God for worship is important. Proper attire, attitude for worship, and worship material. Along with these, the regulation of the veil is also used to show reverence for God. If a person were invited to meet the president of the United States, how much preparation would that person have to make to be allowed to approach the president? In the same way, we too, should present ourselves graciously before God. How honorable is it for believers to be allowed to meet God, the creator of the universe.
The veil regulation also contains God’s providence for administration. The veil regulation refers to the use of a head covering for women during prayer or worship and the absence of a head covering for men. Some mistake this regulation for a gender bias without examining biblical verses. Those with a mature understanding of the Bible will find that the veil regulation is a sign of submission to God for both males and females. In the book of Genesis, Eve was created not from the dust of the ground, but from Adam’s rib. Since woman came from man, the man has authority over the woman. The book of Romans describes Adam as a representation of Christ.
Romans 5:14 Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
And the apostle Paul writes that Eve, who was led astray by the serpent, refers to God’s people, the church.
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
Therefore, we can understand that Christ, represented by Adam, has authority over the church, which represents spiritual Eve in this verse.
Origin of Veil Regulation
The book of Corinthians expresses Paul’s earnest desire for members of the church to hold on to Christ’s examples.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
What example does Jesus, our Savior, want us to follow? When looking at the subtitle written between the first and second verses of the same chapter, you can find the title “On covering the head in worship,” we see that Christ taught about the veil regulation 2000 years ago. Jesus’ example shows that God is a God of order. Just as God organizes and runs the universe in an orderly fashion, there are regulations for worship.
1 Corinthians 11:3-4 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of every woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.
Since Christ is the head of man, men must not cover their heads during worship or prayer. If a man covers his head, he covers the glory of Christ. For women to worship God directly through Christ, women must cover their heads since the head of women is man.
1 Corinthians 11:5-6 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.
Therefore, if it is dishonorable for men to cover the glory of God and for women to worship men rather than God, then the veil regulation should be practiced. Today, only members of the World Mission Society Church of God keep the veil regulation as recorded in the Bible.
Misunderstanding Concerning the Use of Head Coverings
Among Christian churches, some say they practice veil regulation. Churches like the Amish, Eastern Orthodox, and Catholic churches try to practice using the veil. Nevertheless, do they keep this teaching according to the Bible’s regulations? In the Catholic church, male priests cover their heads in worship, thus disregarding the teaching of the Bible. While some Catholic women choose to cover their heads, not all do so. It is the same in Christian churches, where the veil regulation is not maintained. Although many Christians claim to believe in God today, they have failed to observe the commands given by Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3:13-16 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away… For to this day, the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
Some believers might say that it is not necessary to wear head coverings anymore since we live by faith in Christ, so in Christ, it has been taken away like the veil that Moses wore. When looking at the context of the above verses, we can see that the veil he referred to was not the women’s veil, but a veil used to hide Moses’ face as it was radiant from meeting God and speaking with Him on the mountain. The book of Exodus even states that Moses would remove the veil while in the presence of God (Ex 34:34).
1 Corinthians 11:13–15 Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not the very nature of things teach you… that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.
Another misunderstanding comes from the misinterpretation of the above verse. From the aforementioned verses, we can understand that the apostle Paul was describing the nature of women having long hair. Yet, he still emphasized that women should wear a covering. What he was referring to was a covering used over a woman’s head, discounting the fact that she already has long hair. So aside from having long hair, which is the glory of women, he mentioned we should still use head coverings during worship and prayer; this is the proper attitude for worship.
Blessing Through Obedience to God
When we obey God’s command, no matter how insignificant it may seem in our eyes, we will be blessed by following God’s will. During the time of the early church, disputes arose among believers about not covering the head in worship at the Church of God in Corinth. At that time, the apostle Paul said, “We [members of the Church of God] have no other practices except those found in the Bible. This shows that when we obey God’s teachings without adding to or taking away from them, we can be recognized as true worshipers and members of the church that God Himself established and takes care of. By keeping the commands of God as they are written, we are those who will enter the glorious Kingdom of Heaven after our obedience is made complete.