The consensus is that no one can state they are 100% sure of its meaning. By far the majority ascribe whether the angels would take offense at the women not showing submission.
Definitions of angels run the gamut though from outside spies, literal angels, bishops of the church, single young men among others.
HOWEVER NOT ONE SINGLE SCHOLAR comes close to the meaning suggested in the holy hair doctrine. And it would take several pages of posts to fully delve into the meaning of 1 Corinthians chapter 11, which would of course not easily lend itself to discussion in a forum format.
Following is a brief summary from a few of the leading Bible commentators on 1Cor 11:10:
People's New Testament
11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head. She ought to have on her head the veil, the badge of submission to authority.
Because of the angels. This clause has puzzled the critics. The idea probably is: There should be no violation of decorum, such as a bareheaded woman in a public assembly would be, lest it offend the ministering angels which are always present, though unseen.
Wesley's Notes
11:10 For this cause also a woman ought to be veiled in the public assemblies, because of the angels - Who attend there, and before whom they should be careful not to do anything indecent or irregular.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
10. power on her head-the kerchief: French couvre chef, head-covering, the emblem of "power on her head"; the sign of her being under man's power, and exercising delegated authority under him. Paul had before his mind the root-connection between the Hebrew terms for "veil" (radid), and "subjection" (radad).
because of the angels-who are present at our Christian assemblies (compare
Ps 138:1, "gods," that is, angels), and delight in the orderly subordination of the several ranks of God's worshippers in their respective places, the outward demeanor and dress of the latter being indicative of that inward humility which angels know to be most pleasing to their common Lord (1Co 4:9;
Eph 3:10; Ec 5:6). Hammond quotes Chrysostom, "Thou standest with angels; thou singest with them; thou hymnest with them; and yet dost thou stand laughing?" Bengel explains, "As the angels are in relation to God, so the woman is in relation to man. God's face is uncovered; angels in His presence are veiled (
Isa 6:2). Man's face is uncovered; woman in His presence is to be veiled. For her not to be so, would, by its indecorousness, offend the angels (Mt 18:10, 31). She, by her weakness, especially needs their ministry; she ought, therefore, to be the more careful not to offend them."
Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary
Thus would the apostle have the women appear In Christian assemblies, even though they spoke there by inspiration, because of the angels, that is, say some, because of the evil angels. The woman was first in the transgression, being deceived by the devil (
1 Tim. 2:14), which increased her subjection to man,
Gen. 3:16. Now, believe evil angels will be sure to mix in all Christian assemblies, therefore should women wear the token of their shamefacedness and subjection, which in that age and country, was a veil. Others say because of the good angels. Jews and Christians have had an opinion that these ministering spirits are many of them present in their assemblies. Their presence should restrain Christians from all indecencies in the worship of God. Note, We should learn from all to behave in the public assemblies of divine worship so as to express a reverence for God, and a content and satisfaction with that rank in which he has placed us.
Barnes' Notes on the New Testament- (Extremely abbreviated)
Because of the angels. Some have explained this of good angels who were supposed to be present in their assemblies, (see Doddridge) others refer it to evil angels; and others to messengers or spies who, it has been supposed, were present in their public assemblies, and who would report greatly to the disadvantage of the Christian assemblies if the women were seen to be unveiled. I do not know what it means; and I regard it as one of the very few passages in the Bible whose meaning as yet is wholly inexplicable. The most natural interpretation seems to me to be this: "A woman in the public assemblies, and in speaking in the presence of men, should wear a veil--the usual symbol of modesty and subordination --because the angels of God are witnesses of your public worship, (
Hebrews 1:14,) and because they know and appreciate the propriety of subordination and order in public assemblies." According to this, it would mean that the simple reason would be that the angels were witnesses of their worship; and that they were the friends of propriety, due subordination, and order; and that they ought to observe these in all assemblies convened for the worship of God.
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