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1 Corinthians 11:1 - 16
the points that the apostle seems to have more especially in view. As a woman who dresses loosely or fantastically, even in the present day, is considered a disgrace to her husband, because suspected to be not very sound in her morals; so in those ancient times, a woman appearing without a veil would be considered in the same light. It appears in this passage of scripture that Pauls admonition to the church in Corinth was more culturally motivated. In response to the three reasons given by the member of the Church of Pentecost, the following are to be considered. On the point that the absence of the scarf hinders prayer and its actually a sin against God, it should be noted that the conditions spelt in scripture for the answering of prayer have no connection with physical adornment. Among these conditions are faith, holiness, knowledge of the Word of God and forgiveness. These can be found in Mark 11:24, James 5:16, 1 John 5:14-15 and Mark 11:25. The absence of the scarf cannot be regarded as sin against God because that instruction from Paul was culturally motivated. Moreover, sin is a transgression of the law and which does not include the wearing of scarf or veil over the head. 1 John 3: 4. In contrast to the claim that the wearing of the veil on the head is a proof of salvation, the condition upon which a man is saved is purely the grace of God and nothing else. Ephesians 2: 8 and 9 affirms that we are saved by grace through faith and not works. Inasmuch as there is part for man in the receiving of salvation, it is certainly not the veil. This is because we confess with the mouth and believe with the heart for salvation. Romans 10: 10. The issue of the womans submission to the man is clearly out of context. Submission, which is a result of humility is purely a condition of the heart and cannot in anyway be proved by a physical adornment. To reduce submission to physical adornment is to give room for pretence. Paul in another place encourages submission of women to their husbands and there is no mention of wearing veil as a sign. Ephesians 5: 22- 24.