1 Corinthians 11:4
New International Version
Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.

New Living Translation
A man dishonors his head if he covers his head while praying or prophesying.

English Standard Version
Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head,

Berean Standard Bible
Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.

Berean Literal Bible
Every man praying or prophesying having anything on his head dishonors his head.

King James Bible
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

New King James Version
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

New American Standard Bible
Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head.

NASB 1995
Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head.

NASB 1977
Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying, disgraces his head.

Legacy Standard Bible
Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying, shames his head.

Amplified Bible
Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head [and the One who is his head].

Christian Standard Bible
Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head.

American Standard Version
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head.

Contemporary English Version
This means that any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head brings shame to his head.

English Revised Version
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Every man who covers his head when he prays or speaks what God has revealed dishonors the one who has authority over him.

Good News Translation
So a man who prays or proclaims God's message in public worship with his head covered disgraces Christ.

International Standard Version
Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head,

Majority Standard Bible
Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.

NET Bible
Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered disgraces his head.

New Heart English Bible
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

Webster's Bible Translation
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head.

Weymouth New Testament
A man who wears a veil when praying or prophesying dishonors his Head;

World English Bible
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Every man praying or prophesying, having the head covered, dishonors his head,

Berean Literal Bible
Every man praying or prophesying having anything on his head dishonors his head.

Young's Literal Translation
Every man praying or prophesying, having the head covered, doth dishonour his head,

Smith's Literal Translation
Every man praying or prophesying, having on the head, shames his head.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered, disgraceth his head.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered disgraces his head.

New American Bible
Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head.

New Revised Standard Version
Any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head disgraces his head,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Every man who prays or prophesies, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And every man who prays or prophesies while covering his head disgraces his head.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Every man that prays or prophesies, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

Godbey New Testament
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

Haweis New Testament
Every man praying or prophesying, holding a veil over his head, dishonoureth his head;

Mace New Testament
every man who prays or prophesies having his head covered, dishonoureth him who is his head: but every woman who prays

Weymouth New Testament
A man who wears a veil when praying or prophesying dishonors his Head;

Worrell New Testament
Every man, praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

Worsley New Testament
Every man praying or prophesying, having a veil on his head, dishonoureth Him who is his head.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Roles in Worship
3But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. / If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.

1 Timothy 2:11-12
A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. / I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.

Ephesians 5:23-24
For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

1 Peter 3:1-5
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. / Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, ...

Genesis 3:16
To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

Numbers 5:18
After the priest has the woman stand before the LORD, he is to let down her hair and place in her hands the grain offering of memorial, which is the grain offering for jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse.

Deuteronomy 21:12
then you shall bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails,

Isaiah 3:16-17
The LORD also says: “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty—walking with heads held high and wanton eyes, prancing and skipping as they go, jingling the bracelets on their ankles— / the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.”

Isaiah 47:2-3
Take millstones and grind flour; remove your veil; strip off your skirt, bare your thigh, and wade through the streams. / Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.”

Ezekiel 44:20
They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim their hair.

Leviticus 10:6
Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not let your hair become disheveled and do not tear your garments, or else you will die, and the LORD will be angry with the whole congregation. But your brothers, the whole house of Israel, may mourn on account of the fire that the LORD has ignited.

Leviticus 21:10
The priest who is highest among his brothers, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his garments.

Numbers 6:5
For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. He must be holy until the time of his separation to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long.

Judges 13:5
For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. And no razor shall touch his head, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”

Acts 18:18
Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.


Treasury of Scripture

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

or.

1 Corinthians 12:10,28
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: …

1 Corinthians 14:1
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

having.

1 Corinthians 11:14
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

2 Samuel 15:30
And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

2 Samuel 19:4
But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!

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Covered Disgraces Dishonoreth Dishonors Dishonour Dishonoureth Gives Head Part Prayer Praying Prays Prophesies Prophesying Prophet Puts Something Teaching Veil Wears
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Covered Disgraces Dishonoreth Dishonors Dishonour Dishonoureth Gives Head Part Prayer Praying Prays Prophesies Prophesying Prophet Puts Something Teaching Veil Wears
1 Corinthians 11
1. He reproves them, because in holy assemblies,
4. their men prayed with their heads covered,
6. and women with their heads uncovered;
17. and because generally their meetings were not for the better, but for the worse;
21. as, namely, in profaning with their own feast the Lord's supper.
25. Lastly, he calls them to the first institution thereof.














Every man
The phrase "Every man" indicates a universal principle that Paul is addressing to the male members of the Corinthian church. In the Greek, "ἀνὴρ" (anēr) refers specifically to a male, often implying a husband or a man of maturity. This sets the stage for a discussion on gender roles within the context of worship, reflecting the order and structure that Paul sees as divinely instituted.

who prays or prophesies
The activities of praying and prophesying are central to Christian worship and spiritual life. "Prays" (προσεύχομαι, proseuchomai) involves communication with God, while "prophesies" (προφητεύω, prophēteuō) involves speaking forth God's message. In the early church, these were public acts of worship and edification, highlighting the active participation of believers in the spiritual community.

with his head covered
The covering of the head, "κατὰ κεφαλῆς ἔχων" (kata kephalēs echōn), refers to a physical covering, likely a veil or a similar garment. In the Greco-Roman world, head coverings for men were often associated with certain religious practices or social customs. For Jewish men, covering the head was a sign of reverence, but in the Corinthian context, it may have been seen as contrary to the cultural norms of male honor and authority.

dishonors his head
The term "dishonors" (καταισχύνει, kataischynei) implies bringing shame or disgrace. The "head" (κεφαλή, kephalē) can be understood both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it refers to the physical head, but metaphorically, it can signify authority or leadership. In the context of this passage, Paul is likely referring to the man's own head as well as Christ, who is the head of every man (1 Corinthians 11:3). Thus, covering the head during prayer or prophecy is seen as a dishonor to the divine order established by God.

(4) Every man praying or prophesying.--The reference here is to public prayer and teaching (the word "prophesying" is used in its less restricted sense). The Apostle probably does not allude to any case in Corinth where a man had actually taken part in a religious meeting with covered head. The Greek practice was for men to have their heads uncovered when joining in religious ceremonies (Grotius in loc.). To this practice St. Paul would incline, as being the national custom of the country, and as also being typical of the distinction between the sexes which he has just laid down. The Apostle's teaching on this subject is a remarkable illustration of how completely he had overcome his old Jewish prejudice, and how the whole of his nature had become leavened with the freedom of the gospel--for it was the custom amongst the Jews for the man to pray with covered head, and the face veiled with the Tallith, as an expression of his unworthiness to speak face to face with God. It was a profound insight into human nature which enabled the Apostle to realise how an external symbol would infallibly tend to modify doctrine, and how thus the perpetuating of such a custom in the Christian Church might have hindered the full recognition of the great truth of the personal and direct communication of every individual soul with the Father.

Dishonoureth his head.--He dishonours his own head inasmuch as it is the part of his body from which Christ has taken His title as "Head of the Body," the Church--and thus he dishonours his Spiritual Head. even Christ.

Verse 4. - Prophesying; that is, preaching. Having his head covered. This was a Jewish custom. The Jewish worshipper in praying always covers his head with his tallith. The Jew (like Orientals generally) uncovered his feet because the place on which he stood was holy ground; but he covered his head by way of humility, even as the angels veil their faces with their wings. AEneas is said by Servius to have introduced this custom into Italy. On the other hand, the Greek custom was to pray with the head uncovered. St. Paul - as some discrepancy of custom seems to have arisen - decided in favour of the Greek custom, on the high ground that Christ, by his incarnation, became man, and therefore the Christian, who is" in Christ," may stand with unveiled head in the presence of his Father. Dishonoureth his head. He dishonoureth his own head, which is as it were a sharer in the glory of Christ, who is Head of the whole Church. "We pray," says Tertullian, "with bare heads because we blush not." The Christian, being no longer a slave, but a son (Galatians 4:7), may claim his part in the glory of the eternal Son. The head was covered in mourning (2 Samuel 15:30; Jeremiah 14:13), and the worship of the Christian is joyous.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Every
Πᾶς (Pas)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

man
ἀνὴρ (anēr)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.

[who] prays
προσευχόμενος (proseuchomenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4336: To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

prophesies
προφητεύων (prophēteuōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4395: From prophetes; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office.

with
ἔχων (echōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

[his] head
κεφαλῆς (kephalēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2776: From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.

covered
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

dishonors
καταισχύνει (kataischynei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2617: From kata and aischunomai; to shame down, i.e. Disgrace or put to the blush.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

head.
κεφαλὴν (kephalēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2776: From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying having his (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 11:3
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