Cheryl Schatz

Yes, not every “but” refers to a quote.  However when a “but” introduces a contradiction to what comes before, we can then entertain that what is contradicted is not Paul’s words but the words of another.  In my DVD set I quote from a well-known commentary to this effect…that when the words spoken are against what Paul has taught elsewhere and they are contradicted by Paul, we can understand that they are from the Corinthian letter to Paul.

The words in 1 Cor. 11 fits quite well with Paul stating a prohibition, then the cultural position of women’s head covering and then he ties it all in with how God sees men and women and head coverings.  In the end he tells us that there is no custom of head coverings (or even length of one’s hair!) in all the churches.  It is not a Christian custom, but cultural custom that doesn’t fit in with Christianity.

Amen, Paul!  That’s why we do not have to wear hats today.  It is why you can go into church after church and see no universal custom of head coverings.

Faulty fads (customs) are also laid to rest by Paul in 1 Cor. 14 and so women today are allowed to have their voices heard in the assembly and no one stops them from singing or reading God’s word or giving an announcement.  If we all laid the faulty customs to rest, we would have no problems allowing a woman to use her God-given gifts for the benefit of the body of Christ.