1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God. Judge for 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 one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.

We must attend to the well-known division which distributes the whole law of God, as promulgated by Moses, into the moral, the ceremonial, and the judicial law [ 1 ]. Moral laws don’t change because they stem from God’s nature who doesn’t change. He is unchangeable. Civil laws are to be understood in the context of a theocracy. Ceremonial laws were types and shadows that point to Jesus. 

Head Coverings

In the context of what Paul is teaching the Corinthians, the main thrust of chapter 11 is about women covering their heads as they take part in worship. In the culture of Corinth, a woman's covered head while ministering or worshiping was a symbol to signify a subordinate relationship to her husband. The Apostle is not laying down an absolute law for women to wear veils or coverings in all churches for all time, but is declaring that the symbols of the divinely-established male and female roles are to be genuinely honored in every culture [ 2 ] . 

Long Hair

Men should feel shame when they are not in norm with cultural symbols of masculinity and femininity. This morality is based on cultural norms to nor blur the distinctions of manhood. One will argue hat the Bible defines morality, not the culture. I agree. In America how would Paul address men? Doesn't nature teach you not to wear a dress ? In Scotland, would Paul say the same thing ? Are men ashamed of wearing kilts? The artistic drawings we see of Jesus with light skin and long hair are not true representations, but influenced by the artists and their culture. Jesus may have had long hair. Devout Jews would actually grow their hair long on the sides of their head because Scripture commanded it.

Leviticus 19:27

You shall not shave around the sides of your head, not shall you disfigure the edges of your beard. 

Samson’s strength was in his hair. After being pestered by Delilah he finally revealed, “No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite (an Israelite consecrated to the service of God, under vows to abstain from alcohol, let the hair grow, and avoid defilement by contact with corpses.) to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.”

If men's hair length were to be enforced as moral law, exactly how long would be too long? Isn’t this subjective? Would past the ears be too long? How about past the neck? Past the waistline? If you’re tripping over your hair when you walk, it may be practical to cut your hair but would it be sinful not to cut it? Can you smell the legalism in these questions? Men living in Corinth wouldn't want long hair for cultural reasons. Male prostitutes in pagan temples had long hair. You wouldn’t want to be associated with that.  Fast forward to a time where long hair on men is considered masculine or cool. (Mel Gibson's Braveheart or The Patriot). 

Blurring lines of sexuality is the moral issue. Some women may prefer a short manageable hair style. They are not trying to look like men. In the Corinthian culture, it was common for the female prostitutes to have short hair. Women with short hair were labeled prostitutes. Paul was communicating that we should avoid appearances and behavior that detract from our ultimate goal of being believable witnesses for Christ. It is sinful for men to take on the roles of women and for women to take on the roles of men. We should be celebrating the differences in men and women the way God intended. This is the application of moral law.

Cited Sources: John Calvin Institutes of the Christian Religion [ 1 ] , John MacArthur Bible Commentary [2],