Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions just as I handed them on to you. But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the husband is the head of his wife, and God is the head of Christ. Any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head disgraces his head, but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled disgraces her head—it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved. (1Corinthians 11: 1-5)

All things are lawful - except a man praying with a covered head or a woman praying uncovered?

Why would the same man who has dispensed with circumscision, dietary restrictions, and many other key elements of the law of Moses insist on a social convention related to head-covering?

Perhaps because it is not important. It may be that Paul is teaching us to avoid provoking controversy over small matters of accepted practice.

Paul's injunction regarding head-covering has often obscured his clear endorsement of female prophets. That was a radical departure from convention.

Don't be distracted by the small stuff. Don't distract others with unimportant controversies. Avoid scandal. Exercise your liberty where it matters most.

Above is Coronation of the Virgin with Five Angels from the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.