Long Hair: A Woman’s Glory, but a Man’s Disgrace (1 Corinthians 11)

Scripture reading – 1 Corinthians 11

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* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.

1 Corinthians 11

This is the first of two daily Bible studies for today. 1 Corinthians 10 concluded with Paul addressing liberty (1 Corinthians 10:14–33). Some believers in Corinth pursued their liberties at the risk of offending others (1 Corinthians 8:9; 10:24). To them, Paul wrote, “Do all to the glory of God. ³² Give none offence…³³ Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:31–33).

The theme of love and a selfless life continued in chapter 11, when Paul wrote, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). He challenged the Corinthian believers to follow his example, as he modeled Christ in his life. Paul encouraged believers to live selflessly and to submit to God’s order and authority (1 Corinthians 11:1–10).

The Conduct and Misconduct of Women in the Church (1 Corinthians 11:1-16)

Perhaps in response to a question raised by some, Paul addressed women’s role in the church, including their relationship to men (1 Corinthians 11:3). Like much of the ancient world, Corinthian culture may have viewed women as second-class citizens, on par with household servants. The Corinthians’ ignorance of God’s commandments led to confusion and defiance in the church, threatening the assembly’s peace and unity. Paul wrote, “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” (1 Corinthians 11:3).

Given the rebellious state of our world and the rise of militant feminism, I fear that verse 3 may prompt some women to bristle with resentment and ask, “What was Paul teaching?”

In His infinite wisdom, our Creator established a pattern in creation. What is that pattern? God the Father is the head of Christ, His Son (1 Corinthians 11:3d), and “the head of every man is Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:3b). Because “Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body” (Ephesians 5:23), every believer must accept Christ’s authority in his life and follow His example. Just as a man submits to Christ and His authority, a woman is to accept her husband’s authority, for he is “the head of the woman” (1 Corinthians 11:3c).

The issue was not superiority but divine order. (1 Corinthians 11:4-6, 15)

Paul said, “A man praying with his head covered dishonors his head” (for his spiritual head is Jesus Christ). The Old Testament did not prohibit covering the head; however, Paul’s instruction reflected the divinely established order of authority between God and man. Unless circumstances warranted it, a man who covered his head risked obscuring that order and confusing others. Even today, removing a hat or cap is a sign of respect for a man when praying or in the presence of a superior. Men must pray and teach with their heads uncovered, lest they offend the Lord.

By contrast, the woman was commanded to keep her head covered (with a veil or shawl) when she prayed or taught (“prophesieth,” 1 Corinthians 11:5). A woman’s failure to cover her head dishonored God and her husband. Not covering her head was a disgrace equated with shaving her head (1 Corinthians 11:6). 

Paul stated in verse 15, “If a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering” (1 Corinthians 11:15). By contrast, a man with long hair is against God’s natural order and “a shame unto him” (1 Corinthians 11:14).

Closing thoughts (1 Corinthians 11:7-9)

Given the state of society today, the principles taught in 1 Corinthians 11 are more relevant and necessary than ever. The strong spirit of the Feminist Movement has pushed back against God’s design for marriage, families, and our nation. The world has rejected God’s created order, and we find ourselves in a society that cannot agree on something as obvious as the definition of male and female.

Let us unashamedly declare that God is the Creator and that His plan and purposes for us are perfect: “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” (1 Corinthians 11:8–9).

When a woman rejects God’s design, she sacrifices her exalted role as “the glory of the man” (i.e., she is her husband’s ornament of beauty in which he takes pride, 1 Corinthians 11:7). A wife’s failure to be her husband’s “help meet” (Genesis 2:18) destroys marriages and families.

Copyright © 2026 – Travis D. Smith 

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