One more thing, for all "knowledge workers" who don't make or fix physical things to earn their living, what do we do with these verses?

1 Corinthians 4:12
12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; (from New International Version)

Eph 4:28
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
(from New International Version)

1 Thess 4:11-12

11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
(from New International Version)

1 Cor 4:12-13
12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
(from New International Version)

Just as background and by way of contrast, Israel as a nation was marked out as distinct from all the other nations by 3 God-given physical practices:
(1)Circumcision of males on the 8th day after birth. Gen.17
(2)Observance of the annual passover feast. Exodus 12 and
(3)Observance of the 7th day sabbath. Ex.31:13-17

All 3 are to be observed forever by Israelites.

But now under the New Covenant, believers in Jesus Christ are to be distinguished by 3 other physical and symbolic practices. Each one of these New Covenant practices has two parts!

(1)Baptism: Portrays the DEAD and the LIVING by immersion in and emmergence from water. (Death and resurrection)

(2)The Lord's Supper consists of the BREAD and the CUP. (Symbols of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus.)

(3) The demonstration of Headship is done with our HEAD and our HAIR. (The sister's covered head and the brother's uncovered head while praying or prophesying symbolizes HONORING Christ, and avoids DISHONORING Him. The sister's long hair and the brother not allowing His hair to grow long GLORIFIES Christ and avoids SHAME.) Neither of these have anything to do with "church meetings", but rather what one does with their hair is displayed everywhere that they go! What one does regarding covering or uncovering of their head has to do with the specific activities of praying and prophesying.

Just as the scriptural teachings concerning Baptism and the Lord's Supper are to be applied cross-culturally so too the teaching of scripture regarding the demonstration of Headship is also a cross cultural teaching which is to be applied in every culture at in every period of church history.

Paul's teaching on this matter in I Cor.11 was NOT even in keeping with his own Jewish culture! He (as all Jewish men) traditionally covered their heads when praying. Orthodox Jewish men still do today! The New Covenant introduced many changes which would affect the behaviour and ministry of Jewish believers, as well as those of Gentiles! So this passage is NOT to be understood as dealing just with the culture of Paul's day and as having no relevance to our own! None of the reasons given in I Cor.11 for these practices are cultural reasons! They have to do rather with God's order of creation and God's desire to honor and glorify His Son as Head of the church!

I trust this gives some help regarding these things. I am well aware that there are many divergent opinions on this subject and many will not agree with what I have suggested here. However, let us discuss the subject with due honor to the Word of God, due respect for each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, and with a deep desire to live our lives to please Him in all that we do and say.

My wife's hair is shoulder length. Is that long enough?

I understand at some point it gets really clear... like a man having hair down to his waist, or a woman shaving her head. But what about African people?

Do people in your fellowship greet with a holy kiss?

My heart's desire is to serve God fully. Thanks to all for (anticipated) comments as I/we work through these things.

I have found that the Holy Spirit is quite capable of telling men who have long hair when they get saved how long is long! We do not even need to raise the issue with them!

For sisters, I believe that God determines how long their hair should be. We (my wife and I) worked in the West Indies for a few years and know that the hair of many black sisters just does not grow very long at all! Other women's hair grows and grows. But I Cor 11 refers to two cutting actions which are done by two different cutting instruments. For hair to be shorn, shears (two bladed cutting instruments) are used. For hair to be shaven, a razor (a single bladed cutting instrument) is used. I Cor.11:6 seems to indicate that both are a shame. So if both men and women listen to the Lord and His word and none try to legislate for others, the love of Christ can constrain each brother and sister to do what is pleasing to their Lord.

So it is not for you or me to tell some other brother that their hair is "long". Our responsibility is to be sure that our own is not! Nor do I consider that it is even my place to legislate "how long" my own wife's hair is, nor how long my own daughter's hair is (let alone that of any other sister!) I know far too many sisters who have been told by men how long their hair should be, what kind of covering they should wear and when they ought to be covered! Many obey the men who influence them, but so few of these sisters have the joy of being motivated, in what they do, simply by love to Christ! That is the resulting damage when people lay down regulations beyond what scripture does!

If your desire and mine is to serve God fully, we will be sure that our own behaviour is obedient to what we know of scripture, that our own motivation is to please our Lord, and that we will release each and every one of our brothers and sisters in Christ to have the very same liberty in such matters. A godly example has far more influence than a list of legal regulations enforced upon others!

Just this past 9 or 10 days, have been grappling with I Cor 11:1-16, knowing more than likely the grappling was caused by my first visit to an HC, where 2 women wore headcoverings!

Thank you Bruce for your words - they are an encouragement for me. As I type, believe that the Lord has answered me by the following from I Cor 11:15-16
15: But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for [her] hair is given her for a covering.
16:But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
My understanding is that my hair is a covering and that there is no "command". At the moment I have peace with that. But as always, as God wills, not my carnal thoughts!

About the work of the hands, the intent appears to be to stay busy, be productive, not be lazy and ask others to support you (also, there is ano scrip regarding widows and remarriage, think in Timothy, that tells us ladies to stay busy so we won't gossip and so on!) - the dictate does not mean one may only work with his hands. If that were so, would not the apostles/evangelists (except for dear Paul, the tentmaker), be in a spot?

This is timely for me, since have wrestled with "God's will" for my life since retiring! Have learned one must first follow, Romans 12:1, THEN, listen.

Hope this makes sense.

Could I suggest a little different perspective on the covering of verse 15? The word for "covering" here is a different word from that used in the previous verses. It is the same word that is translated "vesture" in Hebrews 1:12. Vesture or clothing on one's body is for a covering to avoid shame. If a woman wears no clothing on her body or cuts her clothing short, her lack of covering is a shame to her body. In like manner her long hair is given for the same purpose relative to her head. Her long hair is a glory to her v.15 but if it is shaven or shorn it is a shame. verse 6.

The covering of verses 4-7 is the Greek word KATAKALUPTO, literally, a "down covering". KATA is "down" (the opposite of "up", not the feathers on a duck!!!) and KALUPTO is "covering". So the covering of verses 4-7 is that which is placed down upon the head while praying or prophesying. Its purpose is to bring honor and to avoid dishonor.

But the covering of verse 15 is the Greek word PERIBOLAION which is literally something "thrown around". PERI is "around" (as in "periscope" or "perimeter") and BOLAION is from the Greek word BALLO, "to throw" (as our English word "ball"). So the covering of verse 15 is that which is around the head as clothing is around the body. Its purpose is to bring glory and to avoid shame.

Sister, you are not accountable to me, but to God. So you need not be concerned with agreeing with me! But once you've had the opportunity to consider the passage again, I'd be interested to hear what conclusion you have come to. Above all, do not seek to please ANYONE in this matter except the One who has purchased you with His own blood! If your desire is to crown the Lord Jesus with BOTH honor AND glory, your desire is consistent with that of the Father! See Hebrews 2:7and 9.

In closing, you mentioned struggling to know God's will. Could I share one verse of scripture which I have found to be an important "key" to knowing the will of God?

John 7:17 is a guarantee from God that a specific kind of person shall KNOW His will! His only requirement BEFORE that knowledge is given is our WILLINGNESS TO DO HIS WILL.

So many people ask God to show them His will for them BEFORE they decide whether or not to DO what he shows them! If they "like" His will, they will do it. BUT if His will is NOT to their liking, they reserve the "right" to refuse to DO His will! Then they cannot figure out why they never KNOW what God's will is!!! They failed the willingness test and God refused to show them His will!

An excellent example of this is found in Mark 11:27-33. The Lord Jesus absolutely refuses to teach those who are unwilling to do His will!

Sister, I trust that your meditation on these scriptures (and others which the Holy Spirit may bring to your attention) will be a tremendous blessing to you as you seek to please the one who died for you. (II Cor.5:14,15)

One quick thought, I often refer back to what is written in Acts, belive it was the first council meeting, where the apostles met to determine what the Gentiles were required to do. As you probably recall, the Jews ("Judiazers") were trying to get the Gentiles to begin keeping the Law. The requirements the Gentiles were given have been my check point in determing Law (hope that makes sense).

I can certainly understand your caution about involving yourself in any practice which others require of you which becomes a burden of law keeping and not a response of love to Christ!

I would suggest that what was required of gentiles in Acts 15 was simply a reiteration of what was required of BOTH Israelites AND "strangers" in Leviticus 17 and 18! So what was taught in Acts 15 was to show that Gentiles were not required to become Israelites to be saved but rather to maintain right relationships with God and Israelite neighbours, frinds and fellow believers.

No mention was made in Acts 15 of things like baptism of believers, remembering the Lord in breaking of bread, or of how believers were to acknowledge and demonstrate God's order of headship. These are other New Covenant teachings but are taught places other than Acts 15.

All three of these practices are based in the grace of God and require faith on the part of those who participate in them. They are some of the commands of the Lord Jesus which His followers were to teach
disciples of Christ to observe. Matt.28:20

Sister, I trust that the Lord will guide you into His truth as you search the scriptures and that you will clearly understand the differences between the bondage of legality and the liberty of loving obedience to Christ.