JULY, 1934

JULY, 1934

Mr. E. Roberts.

My Dear Brother, — Yours of the 11th was duly received. The matter you mention is constantly the occasion of exercise among the Lord’s people. No doubt the apparent vagueness of the teaching is to test our spirituality. But to a person entirely subject, the apostle’s meaning is obvious. A sister, praying or prophesying should be covered, clearly this would apply when she is in the attitude of prayer, although another may be speaking to God.

Prophesying — conveying the mind of God as from God — although evidently in the province of women in the beginning is scarcely known now, but prayer is, of course, common. The instruction of the passage is thus very direct at the present time. A sister therefore should be covered, whether in private, family, or praying amongst the saints. It is a question of the order of God in creation, and its place in the epistle, as immediately preceding the instruction governing the order of the assembly, is significant.

I think “power” in verse 10 refers to covering in verse 6. The former would refer to the covering as a sign of authority. On the whole it seems to me that the simple thing for a sister is, to have a covering on her head always — that is, during the day, etc. — she is then ready for prayer as the opportunity offers.

A bow which some sisters wear, seems satisfactory; it is at least a recognition of the authority of the Word.

With love in the Lord Jesus,

Affectionately yours in Him,

James Taylor.