ἀκατακάλυπτος

not veiled, unveiled

Definition

The adjective ἀκατακάλυπτος means 'uncovered' or 'unveiled,' specifically referring to a head that is not covered by a garment. In its two New Testament occurrences, it describes a woman's head in the context of public worship or prayer. The word carries the sense of being openly visible, without the customary head covering. In 1 Corinthians 11:5, it is used to describe a woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered, which Paul presents as a dishonor. In 1 Corinthians 11:13, it is used again in a rhetorical question about the propriety of a woman praying to God unveiled.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:5 and 11:13. Its usage is entirely within a discussion of propriety, honor, and cultural practice during corporate worship. Both instances directly address the practice of women having their heads covered (or not) while praying or prophesying in the gathered assembly.

Etymology

Derived from the alpha-privative prefix ἀ- (a-, meaning 'not' or 'without') and the adjective κατακαλυπτός (katakalyptos, G2619), which means 'covered' or 'veiled.' κατακαλυπτός itself comes from the verb κατακαλύπτω (katakalyptō, G2619), meaning 'to cover up.' Thus, ἀκατακάλυπτος literally means 'not covered down,' i.e., 'uncovered' or 'unveiled.'

Semantic Range

This word is central to understanding Paul's instructions on gender roles, order in worship, and the concept of 'headship' in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. It touches on doctrines of creation order, the glory of God, and cultural expressions of authority and honor within the church. Understanding the specific Greek term clarifies that the issue is about a deliberate lack of a covering, enriching the reader's grasp of the cultural and theological weight of Paul's argument.

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, a head covering (like a veil or shawl) for a married woman was a nearly universal symbol of modesty, virtue, and submission to her husband's authority. For a woman to be ἀκατακάλυπτος in public, especially in a worship setting, was culturally equivalent to shame or dishonor, and in some contexts could even be associated with loose morals or pagan worship practices. This differs significantly from most modern Western understandings, where head coverings are not a standard cultural symbol.

κατακαλυπτός (katakalyptos, G2619) — The direct antonym, meaning 'covered' or 'veiled.'

Word Details

Scripture References