Did Early Christians Cover Men’s Heads in Worship?
Early Christian teaching points to men praying with their heads uncovered, especially in 1 Corinthians 11 and Tertullian’s writings. Tertullian says a Christian man is not under obligation to wear a covering in worship, while the main verses in 1 Corinthians set men and women apart. The evidence is strongest for the rule that men should not cover their heads in prayer, but the wider early record is thinner and often focuses on women instead.
96 early-church witnesses · 195 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about men covering their heads in worship?
Early Christian teaching is mixed on head covering for men in worship: 1 Corinthians 11:4-7 is the direct Bible text used most often, and Tertullian clearly says a Christian man should not cover his head in prayer. But the strongest early Christian witness in this set is mostly about women covering their heads, not men, so the male practice is supported by fewer direct early writers than the female rule.
Some later liturgical and moral texts also mention covered heads, but many of those are about women or are only background uses of the word head. Overall, the case for men praying with uncovered heads is real and direct in the Bible and in Tertullian, while the broader patristic record is thinner than the topic title may suggest. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- 1 Corinthians 11:4 and 11:7 are the main Bible passages for men praying with an uncovered head.
- Tertullian explicitly says the Christian man is "under no obligation to wear a covering."
- Many other early texts in this set talk about women’s veils, not men’s head coverings.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did early Christians think men should pray with their heads covered?
The clearest early Christian answer is no: men were not to pray with their heads covered. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11:4 and 11:7 say a man praying or prophesying with his head covered dishonors his head, and Tertullian says the Christian man is under no obligation to wear a covering.
-
1 Corinthians 11:4 Direct teaching
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.
-
Methodius, Connection to 1 Corinthians 11:7 Supporting witness
as being the form which the Deity Himself employs, as the most wise Paul explains: "For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God; "
Did early Christians expect women to cover their heads in worship?
Yes. The Bible passage in 1 Corinthians 11:5 and 11:13 says a woman should pray with her head covered, and early Christian writers repeat that rule. Tertullian, the Apostolic Constitutions, and related church teaching all treat the covered head as proper for women.
-
1 Corinthians 11:5 Direct teaching
But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.
-
1 Corinthians 11:13 Supporting witness
Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?
-
1 Corinthians 11:10 Supporting witness
For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
-
Tertullian, On Prayer Direct teaching
But, withal, the declaration is plain: Every woman, says he, praying and prophesying with head uncovered, dishonours her own head.
-
Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
Let the women approach with their heads covered, as is becoming the order of women;
-
Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
... royal priesthood, and a holy nation." After this let the sacrifice follow, the people standing and praying silently. And when the oblation has been made, let each rank by itself partake of the Lord's body and precious blood in order, and approach with reverence and holy fear, as to the body of their king. Let the women approach with their heads covered, as is proper to the order of women. But let the door be watched, lest any unbeliever, or anyone not yet initiated, come in.
-
Tertullian, On the Veiling of Virgins Supporting witness
...n before nuptial intercourse, just as Eve was a woman. On both sides, the apostle has made his statement apply plainly enough to the whole class of each sex. Briefly and fully, with a well-ordered definition, he says, "Every woman." And what is "every," except every class, every order, every condition, every dignity, every age? For every means total and entire, lacking in none of its parts. And the virgin is also a part of the woman. Likewise, with regard to the man not being veiled, he also says "every." Look at the two distinct names, man and woman, with "every" in each case: two different laws, distinct from each other, one of veiling and the other of baring. Therefore, if the words "every man" make it clear that the name man is common even to one who is not yet a man, that is, a stripling male; and if, because the name is common according to nature, the law of not veiling is also common according to discipline to him who among men is a virgin; why is it not therefore already decided that, when woman is named, every woman who is a virgin is likewise included in the fellowship of the name, so as to be included also in the community of the law? If a virgin is not a woman, then
-
Tertullian, On Prayer Supporting witness
... divine Scripture, and that book of Genesis as well, was drawn up, used that same word in writing women, which, by the example of Eve unmarried, applies also to a virgin. In fact, all the other passages agree with this. For by this very fact, that he has not named virgins, as he does in another place where he is teaching about marrying, he shows well enough that his remark is made about every woman, and about the whole sex. No distinction is made between a virgin and any other, since he does not name her at all. For he who elsewhere, namely where the difference requires it, remembers to make the distinction, and indeed makes it by calling each species by its proper name, intends that where he makes no distinction, while he does not name each one, no difference should be understood. And what of the fact that in the Greek language, in which the apostle wrote his letters, it is usual to say women rather than females, that is, gunaikas rather than theleias? Therefore, if that word, which in translation stands for what female, femina, stands for, is often used instead of the name of the sex, then by saying gunaika he has named the sex. And within that sex, the virgin also is included
Why did early Christians say a man should not cover his head?
Paul connects the rule to a man being the image and glory of God, and Tertullian echoes that a Christian man is free from a covering in worship. These texts make the practice a matter of honor and order, not just custom.
-
1 Corinthians 11:7 Supporting witness
For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
-
Tertullian, De Corona Supporting witness
Much less may the Christian put the service of idolatry on his own head — nay, I might have said, upon Christ, since Christ is the Head of the Christian man — (for his head) is as free as even Christ is, under no obligation to wear a covering, not to say a band.
-
Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness
Surely of him concerning whom he adds soon afterwards: The man ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image of God.
-
Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
...om his head with the hair, no doubt with purpose in his hatred. For since Christ is the head of the man, and God is the head of Christ, he who tore the head in the martyr was persecuting God and Christ in that head. But he, trusting in his martyrdom, and promising to himself from the retribution of God the reward of resurrection, cried out and said, "You indeed helplessly destroy us out of this present life; but the King of the world will raise us up, who die for His laws, to the eternal resurrection of life." The third, when challenged, quickly put out his tongue. For he had learned from his brother to despise the punishment of having the tongue cut off. He also firmly held out his hands to be cut off, greatly happy in such a kind of punishment, since it was his lot to imitate, by stretching out his hands, the form of his Lord's passion. And the fourth also, with the same virtue, despised the tortures. Answering, to restrain the king, he cried out with a heavenly voice and said, "It is better for those who are given to death by men to wait for hope from God, to be raised up by Him again to eternal life. For to you there will be no resurrection to life." 2 Maccabees 7:14 The fif
Common Questions
Did early Christians think men should cover their heads in worship?
The clearest early answer is no: 1 Corinthians 11:4 and 11:7 say a man praying with his head covered dishonors his head, and Tertullian says the Christian man is under no obligation to wear a covering.
Which early Christian writer talks most directly about men’s head coverings?
Tertullian is the clearest early writer here, because he directly says the Christian man is "under no obligation to wear a covering."
Are there early Christian texts about women covering their heads too?
Yes. Several early texts in this set, including Tertullian and the Apostolic Constitutions, directly say women should cover their heads.
Source Index for Men covering their heads in worship
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 195 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 96
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
Bible Passages 80 shown of 99
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.
Related Resources
Course Lesson
Answering Common Objections to Head Coverings
Open a related course lesson for more teaching connected with Men covering their heads in worship.
Course Lesson
Head Covering
Open a related course lesson for more teaching connected with Men covering their heads in worship.
Course Lesson
Our Journey Into the Christian Head Covering
Open a related course lesson for more teaching connected with Men covering their heads in worship.
Site Page
Did early Christian women cover their heads all day or only while praying and prophesying
Compare another early Christian topic page with related source quotations.
Site Page
Head coverings
Compare another early Christian topic page with related source quotations.