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Question 3

Bercot insists the passage “tells us nothing whatsoever” about why Paul reminded them, and says the most we can infer is that men were covered, women were uncovered, or both; how does limiting ourselves to what the text actually says feel to you, and what does it do to sermons or applications you’ve heard on controversial passages?

Another way to ask: Bercot says we should stick to what the passage clearly says and not guess the reasons behind it. How does that feel to you, and how would it change sermons or applications you’ve heard on hard passages?

Direct Answer Bercot’s approach forces us to accept uncertainty where Scripture is silent, which can feel uncomfortable but also more honest. It challenges sermons or applications that confidently explain motives and social settings the passage itself never states.

Support from Transcript:

He states bluntly: “The passage in 1 Corinthians 11 tells us nothing whatsoever about why Paul had to remind the Corinthians of the church-wide practice.”
He limits inference: “I think we can reasonably infer that either men were praying with covered heads or women were praying with uncovered heads or both.”
He criticizes commentators for implying extra sources: “The commentators give the impression that they have access to some additional Christian writings from the time of Paul…But no such writing exists. There is nothing.”
He argues the detailed reconstructions are impossible: “How can someone living nearly 2,000 years later…possibly know what was going on…?”

Discussion Follow-ups How should teachers present applications when the “why” is unknown? What wording would show humility (e.g., “it may be,” “we can infer”) instead of certainty?

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