Question: Is Singing Prophesying – and what about Headcovering?

Question:

If a woman sings in a choir in front of the assembly (for example at a gospel outreach or at a conference), is this also to be understood as prophesying? Should she cover her head according to 1 Corinthians 11?

Answer:

You asked two questions:

1. Is singing together prophesying?
2. Should the woman cover herself?

First, it might be good to start with two biblical passages that relate to this topic:

• “But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head” (1 Cor. 11:5).
• “Women should keep silent in the churches (assemblies), for they are not permitted to speak” (1 Cor 14:34).

The Christian Woman can and should prophesy – not during the Meetings

From these two passages, we can see, among other things, that the believing woman can prophesy – but that she is not allowed to do so during the meetings. It is the privilege of sisters to be used by the Lord Jesus for prophesying, i.e., for the edification of others (cf. 1 Cor 14:3). The Bible cites the daughters of Philip as examples of this (Acts 21:9).

However, this prophetic ministry undoubtedly takes place outside the meetings of the assembly – as we learn from 1 Corinthians 14:34, where the women are to remain silent. Such meetings are the hour of prayer (Matt 18:19, 20), the Lord’s memorial supper (Acts 20:7), and the meeting for edification (1 Cor 14).

Silence as opposed to Speaking

Silence is in direct contrast to speaking in 1 Corinthians 14:34. This certainly does not refer to singing together. This also becomes clear in the section in which Paul prescribes the order of the meetings (verses 26-36). “How is it then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification” (1 Cor 14:26). So, when it comes to speaking or prophesying in the meetings, it is a matter of personal ministry (“each one” of the brothers).

Singing, on the other hand, has a completely different character. Of course, songs also contain spiritual exhortations. But they are ultimately different, so that they cannot be understood as a special prophecy.

Does a Choir Sing in the Meetings?

We do not read in the New Testament that a choir sang to the brothers and sisters in a meeting as an assembly. This (and other orders of worship) would predetermine the course of such a meeting.

The Word of God, on the other hand, places particular emphasis on the sovereign, direct work of the Lord or the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 14:26-33). However, when it comes to singing together, sisters and brothers may sing together.

Should Women Cover Themselves in the Meetings?

Another question, however, is whether women should cover themselves when singing. This topic is not dealt with in any specific connection with the meetings. We find it in connection with the prophecy and the woman’s prayer in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. These verses form the link, so to speak, between the teaching on the Lord’s Table (chapter 10) and on the Lord’s Supper (chapter 11:17-34).

More broadly, these verses are the link between the house of God (chapters 8 – 11:1) and the body of Christ (chapters 11:19 – 14:40). And amid these spiritual and sublime themes, the apostle Paul introduces the divine thoughts on the creation order of man and woman – something that exclusively concerns our behavior on this earth.

Why? One important reason seems to be that even in today’s time of grace, in which spiritually there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, “for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28) – in other words, there are actually no differences – the order of creation with its differences between man and woman should be upheld for as long as we live here on earth. Therefore, women should cover themselves when they are audibly spiritually active in the presence of others (prophesying, praying).

Now, women do not pray audibly in the meetings; they do not prophesy there either, as we learn from 1 Corinthians 14. Should they then not cover themselves there? It seems to be spiritual and in line with the teachings of Scripture if the sisters cover themselves in the place where we deal with the highest spiritual things and are consciously in the presence of God/the Lord Jesus. For even if women do not participate audibly, they attach importance to the fact that it is precisely in this place that the glory of God becomes visible. Still, not the glory of man – cf. 1 Corinthians 11:7. So spiritual insight points this way even without a specific command into God’s thoughts about the position of man and woman.