Apostle Paul and Head Coverings

Many would be quick to proclaim bigotry when referring to Apostle Paul and Head Coverings, but the historical context (as always) is incredibly important to note.

The Acropolis, seated atop a hill stretching above the city of Corinth historically housed 1000 temple prostitutes. It was in this time that Paul wrote his letter to the Corinthians. Every night, they would come down from the hill looking for pagan worshippers for themselves. They were distinguished by their bald heads.

What is Meant by 1 Corinthians 6:11 “Head Coverings” Passage?

Apostle Paul’s Writing on Head Coverings is in 1 Corinthians 11. Paul says that women should cover their hair. This is because when these temple prostitutes were converting to Christianity and then coming into the church, they wouldn’t be identified by their bald heads as a former prostitute because all the other women also covered their heads. It was disgraceful to have a shaven head in the time of Paul in Corinth.

For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. -1 Corinthians 6:11

When they left prostitution, they were required to be purchased out of temple prostitution. We don’t know who paid that price, but some speculated about a rich man spoken about in the Gospels, named Erastus. They actually have found an inscription in Corinth that says, “this is Erastus and I paid for this pavement with my own money.” He was also someone who financially supported Paul and Luke.

Watch Frank Turek on site in Erastus at the site of this ancient inscription that supports the account of the Word.