This book did a great job to look at the cultural background back then and why Paul had to stop things. Sadly enough this famous verse has been applied to every generation of these last two centuries and in many churches. Paul was talking to all the churches in that town I believe, not to all the world. Sometimes we need to look deeper and I believe the book "What's with Paul and women" from Jon Zens does that. Just like Paul for wrote several times (Rom.1:8. Col. 1:6 and 1:23) that the gospel had been preached to all the world in his time we just cannot always apply things. I always wondered how this was possible but then found that the the word for world is the same that Augustus used during the audit and he only owned the Roman empire so that's why some translations have used the words civilized world. While the Word was written for us, not everything was written to us, so audience relevance and time lines are very important. Not just context. Every generation again and again tries to apply everything right left and centre to themselves when they read scripture while many parts of history do not always apply to us. We can learn from it for sure. Think of Paul's thorn which has been abused and referred to his enemies, as the term comes back twice in the OT. Or the term "this generation" that applied in all instances it appears to Jesus direct audience back then and not to us, including Luke 17:25 where it says that "He (Jesus) has to be rejected and suffer much by this generation". The word "today" is not always our day either for example in Genesis 47:26 where it says:" Joseph made a law concerning the land in Egypt which is still in force today: One-fifth [of the produce] belongs to Pharaoh" Anyway, here is the book. Hope it blesses someone. God bless. https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Paul-Women-Jon-Zens/dp/0976522292
Both sides of the new ceremonial law .Mans head uncovered with woman's hair covered and the bread and blood of grapes as one demonstration to the world . . . should be looked at. A beautiful gospel picture the bride of Christ
Some confuse the ceremonial laws "a sign to the whole world" as a cultural foundation or background and therefore destroy the intended purpose like the "time of reformation". A time set aside as a parable. Kings as pagan representative in Israel a abomination of desolation. It was made desolate, destroyed when the veil was rent from the top to the bottom (70 feet)
He gave them that had no faith over to do that which they should not of in their jealousy of the surrounding pagan nations that do walk by sight .(no faith coming as it is written)
The pagan form of government. . . its law of men. Laws of the kings, princes and fathers fell when Jesus said; "it is finished". The promise of Joel at Pentecost. God bringing, moving prophets to declare His gospel as a kingdom of priest .Men and woman from all nations, naming His bride, Christian . . . . . "residents of the heavenly city named after her husband . . God having fulfilled the shadows of most of the old testament prophesies .He designed the new (1 Corinthians 11) . The gospel wedding invitation to the whole world. It is all but faded away .There are a few places that do honor the tradition of the unveiling at the wedding supper . The tradition of God. Not of Paul .
It is not a tradition accredited to those moved to perform as self edification. (signs and wonder seekers) It is the representative glory of the hidden glory a living hope.
When Aaron sons offered strange fire (adding a personal touch self-edification) .They were destroyed, but the ceremonial clothing left intact no smell of death . There is some value in the new ceremonial laws. The wedding invitation. Come before the last day door is closed.
Matthew 22 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. ...