Should Women Not Cut their Hair?
In Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 11:3-15), he alluded to the hair of woman when discussing the roles of the two genders and the proper authority within the church.
In the ancient Corinthian culture, females had to wear head veils to show respect and submission to their husbands. But apparently, some in the Corinthian church didn’t cover their heads. This action was not right and could be misunderstood as improper behavior because only females with ill reputation didn’t cover their heads. At the same time, a male wearing a head cover in church was not appropriate no acceptable (1 Corinthians 11:7).
Paul said, “For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered” (1 Corinthians 11:6). In other words, Paul said, if a lady wanted to act like a man, she should, in order to be consistent, to cut her hair like men. But since such an act would be regarded as disgraceful, she should be properly veiled in church.
And Paul gave the reason for this instruction: “For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels” (1 Corinthians 11: 8-10).
While the roles of males and females have not changed according to God’s Word, the way they are represented may change according to the times and the customs of each culture. Today, in the western societies, veils don’t represent the submission of females to the authority of males. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with females cutting their hair. But it important that they should not imitate the hair styles of males and to abide by the culturally accepted indicators of gender.
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
