This murky ontology was the reason why Paul instructed Corinthian women to cover their heads during prophecy. It was not to promote subordination or modesty, as inherent gender ideologies often lead us to believe. Rather, their veil, according to Martin, essentially functioned as a prophylactic to ensure that their spiritually vulnerable state – the state they had to embody to be penetrated by the Holy Spirit – did not make them open to more malignant spirits as well.34
