Understanding 1 Corinthians 11: Long Hair as a Covering

1 Corinthians 11

1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

5 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.

6 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.

7 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.

8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.

9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.

21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

Long hair is the God-given covering for a woman, and the principles regarding femininity and head coverings remain relevant for Christians todayBDOC 7.3+2. While some view these instructions as cultural, the language used by the apostle Paul refers to the creation order and "nature itself," indicating these are universal principles for all ages 1 Corinthians 11:8-14BDOC 7.2.

The Natural Covering

God has provided women with a natural covering for their headsBDOC 7.3.

• Hair as a Gift: Long hair is given to a woman for a covering and is considered a "glory" to her 1 Corinthians 11:15BDOC 7.3+1.

• Distinction of Genders: Nature teaches that long hair is a feminine trait, while short hair is masculine 1 Corinthians 11:14BDOC 7.2+1.

• Femininity: A woman with short hair belittles her femininity and her role, which is described as being similar to the shame of being shorn or shaven 1 Corinthians 11:5-6BDOC 7.2+1.

The Significance of the Covering

The issue of hair and coverings is deeply tied to the relationship between the genders and divine authorityBDOC 7.2+2.

• Order of Authority: The head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God 1 Corinthians 11:3BDOC 7.8.

• Symbol of Submission: The covering serves as a symbol of authority on a woman's head, particularly in the context of prayer or prophecy 1 Corinthians 11:10BDOC 7.3+1.

• Creation Purpose: Man was made in the image of God for communion with Him, while woman was created from man to be his helper; therefore, their appearance should reflect these distinct roles 1 Corinthians 11:7-9BDOC 7.3+1.

Modesty and Modern Application

Christian women are encouraged to maintain a high standard of modesty and reserve, avoiding the shifting fashions of the worldSA 152.1+2.

• Avoiding Display: Women should dress in modest apparel with "shamefacedness and sobriety," avoiding unnecessary trimmings, high-standing bows on hats, or artificial hairpieces that heat the brain and excite lower passions 1 Timothy 2:9HR October 1, 1871, par. 9+2.

• Respect in Worship: In the house of God, clothing and headgear should not obscure the view of others or distract from the service16LtMs, Lt 43, 1901, par. 1+1.

• Christian Character: True beauty is found in the inward adorning of the grace of God rather than outward display 1 Peter 3:3-4Ev 273.1.

• Individual Conscience: While the biblical instruction points to hair as the covering, if a woman feels her conscience requires an additional covering like a bonnet to please her Savior, she should follow that conviction in faith Romans 14:22-23BDOC 7.8+1.

Maintaining these distinctions in appearance and conduct guards virtue and honors the Creator’s original plan for humanityBDOC 7.2+1.