1 Corinthians 11:13-16

Long Hair

Paul asked the brethren to use their own judgment to determine whether or not it was proper for a woman to pray with her head uncovered. As McGarvey wrote, "Instinct should teach us that the head of a woman is more properly covered than that of a man, for nature grants it a greater abundance of hair." He also went on to note men of Paul's day cut their hair short, unless they were under some vow like that of the Nazarite. "Long hair in a man betokened base and lewd effeminancy," according to McGarvey. The apostle's words suggest to us that a man should not want to wear hair so long he looks womanly, nor a woman hair so short, she looks manly (1 Corinthians 11:13-14).

A woman's long hair was given to her by God as a beautiful covering. To end all discussion Paul says this was the practice in the churches of Christ, apparently indicating other apostles had in some way confirmed what he was saying and it was universally accepted. The churches should strive to be in agreement in practice (1 Corinthians 11:15-16). While today a veil would not indicate anything to the general populace, Christian women still need to show their subjection to their husbands. A proper spirit is a necessary part of a woman's spiritual attire (1 Timothy 2:9-10)!