The passage in 1 Corinthians 11 is often reduced to debates about headscarves and gender roles — but when read symbolically, as Neville Goddard taught, it reveals something far deeper. This isn’t a lesson in outward modesty; it’s a coded map of how the conscious and subconscious work together under the Law of Assumption. Each line speaks to the structure of your inner world — awareness, imagination, assumption, and manifestation — and how these forces interact to bring your reality into being.
This symbolic structure is first defined in Genesis 1:27:
"So God made man in his image, in the image of God he made him: male and female he made them."
In Neville’s framework, “male and female” are not physical genders, but psychological polarities — conscious and subconscious, both present in every individual. The conscious (male) is the chooser; the subconscious (female) is the acceptor and bringer forth. 1 Corinthians 11 reaffirms this ancient pattern, reminding us that manifestation depends on the right relationship between assumption and feeling — between the idea you hold and the power that brings it to life.
This relationship is further clarified in Genesis 2:23:
"And the man said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."
This is not a literal biological statement — it is the symbolic recognition that the subconscious emerges from the conscious. “Bone of my bones” means she is of the same substance — but expressed differently. In Neville’s terms, Woman (subconscious) is drawn from the inner structure of Man (conscious), shaped by his assumptions. She reflects and fulfils what he inwardly declares to be true. The creative power — manifestation — begins when the conscious mind names (assumes), and the subconscious accepts and gives it form.
1 Corinthians 11:1
"So take me for your example, even as I take Christ for mine."Paul begins by affirming the chain of assumption. He follows the Christ — symbolic of imagination — and urges others to follow him. This reflects Neville’s idea that everything follows the structure of consciousness: God (I AM) → Christ (Imagination) → Man (Conscious Mind) → Woman (Subconscious).
1 Corinthians 11:2
"Now I am pleased to keep you in mind at all times, and to have your approval in the keeping of the rules which I gave you.""Now I am pleased to keep you in mind that all times" is, as usual, a coded nod towards holding the assumption in mind at all times in a wonderful way. This isn’t about dogma, but inner discipline — the "rules" are the principles of creative consciousness. The mind must maintain order between conscious assumption and subconscious receptivity.
1 Corinthians 11:3
"But I would have you see that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God."The hierarchy of consciousness:
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God = I AM (Awareness)
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Christ = Imagination (Creative Power)
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Woman = Subconscious Mind
Each part flows from and depends on the other. Manifestation requires proper alignment of these inner roles.
1 Corinthians 11:4
"Every man who takes part in prayer, or gives teaching as a prophet, with his head covered, puts shame on his head."If your conscious mind is clouded — full of borrowed beliefs or doubts — you shame your own creative authority. The conscious must be clear and decisive, uncovering itself to higher truth.
1 Corinthians 11:5
"But every woman who takes part in prayer, or gives teaching as a prophet, without covering her head, puts shame on her head; for it is the same as if her head were cut off."The subconscious mind, if left open and uncovered, is vulnerable. Without protection (mental discipline), it accepts random impressions, leading to chaotic or unwanted results.
1 Corinthians 11:6
"For if a woman is without a cover, let her hair be cut off. But if it is a shame for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be made bald, let her be covered."The subconscious must either be completely shut off (bald) — or guarded and selective (covered). The latter is preferred. You must consciously choose what gets impressed on it.
1 Corinthians 11:7
"For it is not right for a man to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man."The conscious mind (man) reflects God’s image — the power to choose and assume. The subconscious (woman) reflects the man’s assumptions, and her glory is in what she brings forth from them.
1 Corinthians 11:8–9
"For the man did not come from the woman, but the woman from the man. And the man was not made for the woman, but the woman for the man."The subconscious (woman) originates from the conscious (man) and is designed to serve his assumption. She does not direct, but responds and manifests what he impresses upon her.
1 Corinthians 11:10
"For this reason it is right for the woman to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels."The subconscious must wear a symbolic veil — meaning it should be governed by the conscious assumption. “Angels” symbolise imaginal acts and feelings — messengers that move creation.
Guard the subconscious, because assumptions carry power.
1 Corinthians 11:11–12
"But the woman is not separate from the man, and the man is not separate from the woman in the Lord. For as the woman came from the man, so the man comes through the woman; but all things come from God."Conscious and subconscious are interdependent. One gives, one receives, but both are needed for manifestation. And both originate from God — the I AM that underlies all.
1 Corinthians 11:13
"Be judges yourselves of the question: does it seem right for a woman to take part in prayer unveiled before God?"Should the subconscious be left open to the world? No. It should only receive what has been consciously and reverently chosen. This is the Law of Assumption in action.
1 Corinthians 11:14–15
"Does it not seem natural to you that if a man has long hair, it is a cause of shame to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given to her for a covering."Long hair = natural receptivity and protection. The subconscious thrives in secrecy and reflection. But if the conscious mind (man) becomes passive like the subconscious, he loses his authority to assume.
1 Corinthians 11:16
"But if any man seems to be given to argument, let him know that we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God."
There’s no point in arguing with this inner order. It is universal. Just as Neville said: “Feeling is the secret.” The structure of creation does not change — only your awareness of it does.
Final Summary
1 Corinthians 11:1–16 isn’t about outward dress codes — it’s an inner psychology lesson.
The conscious mind (man) must lead with clear assumptions.
The subconscious mind (woman) must be veiled — protected from stray impressions.
This inner hierarchy — God > Christ > Man > Woman — is not repressive but creative.
Through assumption, you unite the conscious and subconscious in belief — and that is what gives birth to reality.
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