The authority of the voice: A theological reading of 1-Corinthians-XI,2-16(Textual interdependence in expressions of prophecy and prayer in Paul's 'First Letter to the Corinthians')

The polarity between 'hierarchical' and 'egalitarian' perspectives on the r elationship of male and female is not the best way to approach this passage (1 Cor 11.2-16), which interprets this relationship as one of interdepende nce. This interdependence is expressed in the shared practices of prophecy and prayer, in which the dialogue between God and the congregation is artic ulated. In Paul's proposed modification to these practices, female head-cov ering-probably a veil-serves as a symbol of women's freedom from an erotic basis for the relationship of male and female derived from creation.