[13] Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? [14] Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? [15] But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven (v. 4-5).
It's perfectly fine to pray without a head covering at home. You'll even see some churches not enforcing that rule. In any case, it's not sinful to not wear a head covering.
1 Corinthians 11:6
6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.
The biblical text of 1 Corinthians 11:2–16 is clear. Every Christian man should uncover his head when he prays or prophesies because Christ is his head. Every Christian woman should cover her head when she prays or prophesies because the man is her head.
As a “symbol of authority” (1 Cor. 11:10), it showed that the woman was indeed respecting the authority of her husband even while doing something that might otherwise be perceived as insubordinate (1 Cor. 14:34–35). Thus the head covering was a custom with a particular purpose.
Paul writes plainly, “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?” (1 Corinthians 11:14). All major Bible translations agree on the intent of this verse. God intended (and commanded) men to keep their hair much shorter than women.
St. Paul emphasizes the head covering's symbol of man's authority over the woman through his precise use of language. St. Paul refers to the "cover" over the women's head, not as a chapel veil or mantilla, but as a "power" or "authority" (Greek, exousian).
1 Corinthians 11:3-16 KJV
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
Yeshua (Jesus) did not wear a head covering except the crown of thorns.
Denominations that teach that women should wear head coverings at all times additionally base this doctrine on Saint Paul's dictum that Christians are to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), Saint Paul's teaching that women being unveiled is dishonourable, and as a reflection of the created order.
Paul informs them not to do so. Specific to Corinth's culture, it would send the wrong message: To cover your head would be seen as a sign of upsetting God's created, established order. Again, God had established that order and grounded it in the nature of the Godhead (see 1 Cor. 11:3, cited above).
By far the dominant view among scholars is that 1 Cor 11 has to do with head coverings/veils. Since men are under the authority of Christ, they should not cover their heads while praying or prophesying (11:4), for they are made in “the image and glory of God” (11:7).
The Bible does indeed teach that women are supposed to wear head coverings. This is pretty clear. Paul makes clear in 1 Corinthians 11 that in church, in worship, women are supposed to wear head coverings.
Most conclude that Paul means angels observe our public worship services. Since they are watching, it is important for women to be appropriate in covering their glory and not dishonoring their husbands.
Thus, “every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head” (1 Cor. 11:4) means that every man who covers his physical head dishonors his spiritual head, that is, Christ (1 Cor. 11:3).
Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head--it is just as though her head were shaved.
ESV but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. NIV But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.
So what is going on in 1 Timothy 2:9? Let's start with the KJV. “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.” (“Broided” is apparently an old spelling of “braided.”) Notice the punctuation.
There was adultery, bad doctrine, and many concerning behaviors. As he addressed those behaviors, he writes, “For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head” (1 Corinthians 11:6).
1 Corinthians 11:6 New International Version (NIV)
For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.
Here is Paul's main argument: When praying or prophesying in a church meeting, men who cover their heads dishonor Christ, and wives who uncover their heads dishonor their husbands (1 Cor. 11:4–5a).
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: He who has hair should honour it.
Paul makes one final argument to support his teaching that the women in the Corinthian church should wear a head covering when praying or prophesying in church. This time, he points to the example of nature, not theology.
In the Old Testament, there are many references to "locks." Rastas relate locks to the Nazarite vow described in the earlier parts of the Old Testament. From this verse, one can see how Rastas have determined that dreadlocks are part of the holy Nazarite vow, as Samson has seven locks.