God uses lots of ways to express Himself in Scripture. Two of those “figures of speech” are closely related: metonymy and synecdoche – naming a part of the whole to represent the larger reality.
Paul uses these devices in his letters.
In Romans 13:4, “the sword” isn’t merely the weapon, it represents the larger reality of the government’s authority to punish wrong-doers.
In 2 Corinthians 3:6, “the letter kills” isn’t mail; it’s the entire Old Covenantal system.
In Romans 12:1, “present your bodies” isn’t merely skin and bones – it’s the whole self, which Paul clarifies as “spiritual worship.”
In 1 Corinthians 10, the “cup of the Lord” and “the cup of demons” isn’t referring to a physical object – it’s the part of the whole system of worship and fellowship.
Because Paul uses this structure, I believe that “praying or prophesying” is too narrow for what is meant. I don’t think that Paul was isolating these two acts, as though a woman must cover *only* during these two exact points in time.
Just as “our daily bread” expands to God’s provision in our lives, “praying or prophesying” can function as the named part of the larger reality of gathered worship.
Prayer is our words directed toward God – prophesy is God’s Word directed toward His people. Together, they look like a picture of gathered worship.
“Praying or prophesying” is not merely a checklist of two specific activities. They are named parts of the spiritual reality of worship in the presence of God’s people, the angels, and Christ Himself.
This reality is so much larger than what can be named.
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