Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 11:2

"Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you." — 1 Corinthians 11:2 (ASV)

Since Paul does not begin this section the way he did 7:1, 25 and later 12:1 (see introductory comment on 7:1–14:40), he is likely taking up the subject on his own rather than answering another question that had come in their letter to him (7:1).

Verses 3–16 have evoked considerable difference of opinion about the nature of the head covering and about the place of women both in public worship and in their relationship to men. The head covering has been interpreted as either a veil or shawl, or else hair—either long or short.

As to the use of veils, women in the ancient Orient were veiled in public or among strangers, but otherwise they were unveiled. Rebecca, for example, was unveiled till she met Isaac (Genesis 24:65). Painting on ancient pottery, however, shows Greek women in public without head coverings. In Corinth the women may well have gone to public meetings without veils. But the question is whether Paul is talking about the use of veils in public worship or about women letting their long hair hang loose—a sign of mourning or of the shame of an accused adulteress—rather than having it “put up.”