Prophesies (Good News Bible “proclaims God’s message”): this is the first of many references to “prophesying” in this letter (compare 12.10, 28, 29; 13.2, 8, 9; and the whole of chapter 14). Where Christian prophets are concerned, not Old Testament prophets, Good News Bible generally translates “proclaim God’s message” rather than “prophesy,” which in English means only foretelling the future. The Greek word that Paul uses suggests not only that God gave the content of the message, but also that he provided the power to proclaim this message. However, Paul distinguishes clearly between Christian prophecy and speaking with tongues, and the Greek word here does not necessarily imply foretelling the future. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “proclaims the instructions of God,” which distinguishes Christian prophecy from more general preaching of the Good News.

See the comments in the introduction to this section concerning Good News Bible‘s addition of the words “in public worship.”

With his head covered: in this and the following verses Moffatt uses the word “veil,” suggesting a covering for the face. He does this because in verse 10 some Greek manuscripts have the word for “veil” rather than “authority.” However, the evidence seems to favor “authority.” In this verse Paul is probably referring to a garment hanging down from the head and covering the hair and the upper part of the body, rather than the face.

Dishonors his head: Good News Bible is correct to translate this phrase as “disgraces Christ,” for Christ is referred to as “the head of every man” in verse 3. Another possible rendering is “disgraces (or, dishonors) Christ who is the head.” See discussion on head under 1 Cor. 11.3. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “dishonors Christ and himself,” and adds a footnote giving the literal meaning, as in Revised Standard Version. This may be the best solution.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .