Lin

Verse 10 in the ESV:

10That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

Is there any significance that the word ‘wife’ is used here instead of woman as in the NIV?

We have always been taught that this ‘authority’ on her head was man ruling over her. No one could ever explain to me about the ‘angels’ but it makes sense based on Paul teaching earlier about us judging the angels.

But I have to tell you the verses before and after the above are very confusing to me based on the interpretation:

2Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife[a] is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head–it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head….

…13Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.