1 Corinthians 11:13–16: Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor 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. But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.
In a general way, it is true that nature gives women longer hair and men shorter hair. Nowhere does the Bible tell us how long our hair should be. It simply states that there ought to be a noticeable difference between the length of the men’s hair and the women’s hair so that there be no confusion of the sexes. (This principle eliminates the so-called “unisex” styles.) It is shameful for the man to look like a woman or the woman to look like a man.
The woman’s long hair is her glory, and it is given to her “instead of a covering.” Do not think that Paul meant for all women in every culture to wear a shawl for a head-covering; but he did expect them to use their long hair as a covering and as a symbol of their submission to God’s order. This is something that every woman can do. The important thing is the submission of the heart to the Lord and the public manifestation of obedience to God’s order. 1
Application
- Read Ephesians 5:21. Is submission a part of the Christian life for everybody?
- What does it mean to “submit in the fear of God?” (I thought Jesus said: fear not)
Thought to Share
To cover up your sin is an unforgivable sin. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Lord, teach me to come clean with You everyday.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
