It comes down to what it means that a woman should have her head covered. Does that refer to hair or to some other kind of covering (hat or otherwise). Some people say it is about hair because of Paul's discussion in vs 15.

But think about it this way. Did woman back in the days of the NT have hats? The answer is no. Likely if a woman did cover her head it would part of her robe/cloak or some kind of 'shawl'. So the issue of hats is not really relevant but cultural.

Then there is the issue of 'timing': that is when ought the covering to be worn? Is it only when women are praying and prophesying (vs. 5)? Most if not all churches that practice head (not hat) covering have the ladies wear their hats during the whole service whereas Paul indicates it is necessary at only certain times of a worship service. Women do not pray and prophesy in public meetings anymore even if they did at one time. It seems then that now (in our time and in Reformed churches) it is a moot point. (btw in case you are wondering Paul doesn't actually want women to pray or prophesying in church - he addresses this in 1 Corinthians 14:34. It appears that women were doing this in Corinth but Paul does not legitimize it but merely addresses it first as a fact not a teaching or rule to be followed).

Besides the general principle in 1 Corinthians 11 is about headship not head coverings as is clear from vs. 3. Paul is concerned with wives showing public contempt for their husbands because they are not covering their heads which seemed to be a cultural issue for the time. I say the latter because of Paul's statement in vs. 16. A custom is something that a society does because it finds certain practices offensive. These customs are often practiced by Christians but are not necessarily valid for all time and all places (for another example see 1 Corinthians 8:7. Some could eat meat offered to idols and others could not).

In essence I believe it is a stretch to make this passage mandate head coverings for woman today.

__________________
Rev. Daniel Kok
Pastor of Grace Reformed Church (URCNA)
Leduc, Alberta CANADA

"What sort of pledge and how great is this of love towards us! Christ lives for us not for himself!"
John Calvin, Commentary on the Hebrews (7:25)