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The
Scriptural Teaching On Hair
Is it possible that the length of a person's hair could have
anything to do with pleasing God?
Such an idea may at first seem strange. But before the
question is dismissed, it would be wise to consider two
statements of Scripture: "If a man have long hair, it is a
shame unto him....If a woman have long hair, it is a glory
to her: for her hair is given her for a covering" (1
Corinthians 11:14-15).
In the Bible, divinely appointed symbols represent holy
things. The night Jesus was betrayed, for example, He gave
His disciples bread to eat and a cup to drink. The bread, He
said, represented His body, and the cup, His blood (1
Corinthians 11:23-25). While the bread and cup are symbols
only, the things they represent are so holy that those who
do not properly respect them are "guilty of the body and
blood of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 11:27).
God has chosen for the length of people's hair to symbolize
their relationship to Him and to the authority He has placed
over them. This truth is presented in 1 Corinthians 11:3-16.
The Principle of Authority
The subject of 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 is authority: "The head
of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the
man; and the head of Christ is God" (verse 3). This verse
introduces and provides the basis for the following
discussion about covering the head.
"Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered,
dishonoureth his head" (verse 4). Christ is man's head. It
is therefore Christ who is dishonored if a man prays or
prophesies with a covered head.
"But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head
uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as
if she were shaven" (verse 5). The man (husband or father)
is the head of the woman (wife or daughter). It is therefore
the man who is dishonored if a woman prays or prohesies with
an uncovered head. This dishonor is the same as if her head
were shaven.
Not only is it a shame if the woman is shaven, but it is
equally a shame if she is shorn. "For if the woman be not
covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a
woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered" (verse 6).
The word "shorn" is simply the past participle of "shear,"
which means "to cut." This is the meaning of the Greek word
keiro, from which "shorn" is translated.
Spiritual Significance
What is the theological basis of this teaching? "For a man
indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the
image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the
man" (verse 7). God has chosen that a man's uncovered head
reflects His image and glory in man; woman's covered head
reflects the glory of man.
This reflected glory is based on the order at creation. "For
the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for
the man" (verses 8-9).
That these things are important even in the spiritual realm
is revealed in the next statement: "for this cause ought the
woman to have power on her head because of the angels"
(verse 10). Angels are spirits. It is not just in the
physical realm that the authority represented by the length
of hair is important; even angels take note of a person's
obedience or disobedience in this matter.
After establishing the divine order of creation and of
authority, this passage affirms that the man and the woman
are equally important to each other and of equal value in
the kingdom of God (verses 11-12).
The Covering
The inspired Apostle Paul believed the church at Corinth
would naturally understand the validity of his teaching on
this subject: "Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a
woman pray unto God uncovered?" (verse 13). He did not think
this should be a surprise to Christians, for the lesson of a
clear distinction between male and female in this matter is
deeply rooted even in nature: "Doth not even nature itself
teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto
him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her:
for her hair is given her for a covering" (verses 14-15).
The words "have long hair" in these verses are translated
from the Greek word komao, which means "to let the hair
grow." The word "hair" in verse 15 in the phrase "her hair
is given her for a covering" is translated from the Greek
kome, which refers to uncut hair. This further explains
verse 6, which declares it to be a shame if a woman's hair
is shorn (cut) or shaven. Her long, uncut hair is a glory to
her, for it illustrates her loving submission to her husband
or father.
On the other hand, it is a shame for a man if he allows his
hair to grow uncut. For a man to cut his hair reflects his
submission to Christ; uncut hair on a man symbolizes
rebellion against Christ.
The covering mentioned in this passage is the woman's uncut
hair. Verse 15 is the only place the word "covering," a
noun, appears in the passage. Previously, the words
"uncovered" and "covered" appear. These two words are
adjectives; they do not specifically declare what is the
covering. But verse 15 specifically says, "Her hair is given
her for a covering."
The word "for" is translated from the Greek anti, which
means "against" or "instead of." Here the Bible itself
declares that a woman's long, uncut hair is given to her
instead of (for) a covering, and this is the inspired
explanation of verses 5 and 6.
Thus, if a woman cuts or shaves the hair on her head, it is
in the eyes of God a shameful dishonor of her father or
husband. If a man allows his hair to grow long, it is a
shameful dishonor of Christ.
Contention
The passage concludes, "But if any man seem to be
contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of
God" (verse 16).
Contention is always the result of pride (Proverbs 13:10).
If any man proudly argued against this teaching, he needed
to realize that none of the churches of God had a custom of
allowing men to pray or prophesy with their heads covered
with long, uncut hair. Nor did they permit women to pray or
prophesy unless their heads were covered with long, uncut
hair.
Conclusion
The sincere person who wishes to please God will want to
obey His Word in every respect. He will partake of the bread
and cup of the Lord's Supper with greatest of reverence,
because these symbols represent the body and blood of Christ
(verse 20). And a man will cut his hair, while a woman will
allow hers to grow, because these symbols represent their
relationship to God and to God-given authority.
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