1 Corinthians 11:14 · Clearspring

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Other translations

WEBBE

Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonour to him?

BSB

Doesn’t nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,

KJV

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

ASV

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a dishonor to him?

BBE

Does it not seem natural to you that if a man has long hair, it is a cause of shame to him?

Original Greek

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ἢ ē or G2228 οὐδὲ oude Not even G3761 ἡ hē (the) G3588 φύσις phusis nature G5449 αὐτὴ autē itself G846 διδάσκει didaskei does teach G1321 ὑμᾶς humas you G4771 ὅτι hoti that G3754 ἀνὴρ anēr a man G435 μὲν men indeed G3303 ἐὰν ean if G1437 κομᾷ koma he shall have long hair G2863 ἀτιμία atimia a dishonor G819 αὐτῷ autō to him G846 ἐστιν estin it is G1510

The early church

"Doth not even nature itself teach you, that if a man have long hair, it is a dishonor unto him?" "But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given her for a covering." His constant practice of stating commonly received reasons he adopts also in this place, betaking himself to the common custom, and greatly abashing those who waited to be taught these things from him, which even from men's ordinary practice they might have learned. For such things are not unknown even to Barbarians: and see how he every where deals in piercing expressions: "every man praying having his head covered dishonoreth his head;" and again, "but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled:" and here again, "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." "And if it be given her for a covering," say you, "wherefore need she add another covering?" That not nature only, but also her own will may have part in her acknowledgment of subjection. For that thou oughtest to be covered nature herself by anticipation enacted a law. Add now, I pray, thine own part also, that thou mayest not seem to subvert the very laws of nature; a proof of most insolent rashness, to buffet not only with us, but with nature also. This is why God accusing the Jews said, "Thou hast slain thy sons and thy daughters: this is beyond all thy abominations." And again, Paul rebuking the unclean among the Romans thus aggravates the accusation, saying, that their usage was not only against the law of God, but even against nature. "For they changed the natural use into that which is against nature." For this cause then here also he employs this argument signifying this very thing, both that he is not enacting any strange law and that among Gentiles their inventions would all be reckoned as a kind of novelty against nature. So also Christ, implying the same, said, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye also so them;" showing that He is not introducing any thing new.

John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 2–16

Here begin particulars respecting the public assemblies, ch. 1Co 14. In the abundance of spiritual gifts bestowed on the Corinthians, some abuses had crept in; but as Christ did the will, and sought the honour of God, so the Christian should avow his subjection to Christ, doing his will and seeking his glory. We should, even in our dress and habit, avoid every thing that may dishonour Christ. The woman was made subject to man, because made for his help and comfort. And she should do nothing, in Christian assemblies, which looked like a claim of being equal. She ought to have "power," that is, a veil, on her head, because of the angels. Their presence should keep Christians from all that is wrong while in the worship of God. Nevertheless, the man and the woman were made for one another. They were to be mutual comforts and blessings, not one a slave, and the other a tyrant. God has so settled matters, both in the kingdom of providence and that of grace, that the authority and subjection of each party should be for mutual help and benefit. It was the common usage of the churches, for women to appear in public assemblies, and join in public worship, veiled; and it was right that they should do so. The Christian religion sanctions national customs wherever these are not against the great principles of truth and holiness; affected singularities receive no countenance from any thing in the Bible.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 11 →

Cross-references

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Topics

Hair