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Why ‘Because of the Angels’ does not refer to the ‘Sons of God’ in Genesis

Why 'because of the angels' does not refer to the 'sons of God' in Genesis

In 1 Corinthians 11:10, Paul says we’re to practice head covering “because of the angels.” This is rightly called an obscure verse because Paul does not explain what he means by that phrase. There are many theories, which we’ve already articulated, but today we’d like to talk about a popular view that we think is highly improbable. This is the belief that the angels are the “sons of God” mentioned in Genesis 6. Here’s what that portion of Scripture says:

Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. (Gen 6:1-4 NASB)

The identity of the “sons of God” is debated 1) For an overview of the various views please visit this page: https://answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/who-were-the-nephilim/ , but one of the more popular views is that they refer to fallen angels. In this theory, demons lust after human women, which leads them to take wives for themselves and have children with them. Thus it is asserted that when Paul tells women to cover their heads “because of the angels” (1 Cor 11:10), he means so that the fallen angels will not lust after them or sexually assault them. Read more

References

1.
 For an overview of the various views please visit this page: https://answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/who-were-the-nephilim/

Charles Spurgeon Quote Image #1

Charles Spurgeon Quote Image #1

If this quote has piqued your interest, read “Why Head Coverings?: Reason #2 – Angels“.

Why Head Coverings? Reason #2: Angels

Biblical Case for Head Coverings

Many people automatically assume that the practice of head covering was intended for only the Corinthian’s local culture and time period. But when Paul says that a woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head “because of the angels,” he adds yet another solid indication that the practice is intended for the Church as a whole, irrespective of local culture or time period.

When it comes to verses that Christians admit they don’t understand, 1 Corinthians 11:10 tops most of our lists.

Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. (1 Cor 11:10 NASB)

The Apostle Paul just told us that we’re to practice head coverings because of the angels. So no matter what this verse means in its fullness, what we know we have is one of Paul’s reasons. This point can’t be stressed highly enough. We don’t seek to understand what this verse means and if we do “get it,” it will become a reason. Rather, because it is a reason we therefore seek to understand it. The difficulty to us is that Paul says this in passing without explaining what he meant. A likely reason for this is that the church in Corinth understood what Paul meant, therefore an explanation would be unnecessary. In his letter to the Thessalonians, he said that he had explained details about Christ’s Second Coming to them when he was with them (2 Thess 2:5). This, too, may be one of those doctrines that was articulated while in their presence. Read more

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