Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 11:10

"for this cause ought the woman to have [a sign of] authority on her head, because of the angels." — 1 Corinthians 11:10 (ASV)

The woman has a certain authority in that by having her head properly covered in worship, she shows respect for God’s ministering angels who are in attendance and serve God’s people (Hebrews 1:14). Perhaps angels are mentioned in this discussion about the place of women in the church to remind Christians that angels are present at the time of worship and that they are interested in the salvation of God’s people (1 Peter 1:10–12; cf. Galatians 3:10) and sensitive to the conduct of Christians at worship. So the angels would recognize the breach of decorum if Christian women did not have proper head coverings and the long hair distinguishing them as women—the “sign of authority [GK 2026] on her head” (v.10), which symbolized her husband’s authority over her.