1 Corinthians 11:15 kjv
But 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 nkjv
But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.
1 Corinthians 11:15 niv
but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.
1 Corinthians 11:15 esv
but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.
1 Corinthians 11:15 nlt
And isn't long hair a woman's pride and joy? For it has been given to her as a covering.
1 Corinthians 11 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 11:14 | Does not nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace for him, | Conflates with current verse's thought |
| 1 Tim 2:11-12 | Let a woman learn quietly with all subjection. But I do not allow a woman to teach, or to have authority over a man, but to be in quietness. | Relates to women's role in church |
| Gen 1:27 | So God created man in his own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. | Foundation of male/female creation |
| Gen 2:21-22 | And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its stead. And the rib which the Lord God had taken from man, He made into a woman, and brought her to the man. | Woman created from man |
| 1 Cor 11:10 | For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. | Angelic presence and authority symbol |
| 1 Cor 11:5 | But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. | Women praying uncovered |
| 1 Cor 11:6 | For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, then she should wear a covering. | Hair as covering |
| Titus 2:4-5 | that they may teach the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, workers at home, kind, and subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be blasphemed. | Women's character and role |
| 1 Peter 3:1-4 | Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some are disobedient to the word, they may be won without their word or by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Let not your adornment be outward – the plaiting of hair, and the putting on of gold jewellery, or the wearing of fine clothes, but – the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. | Inner beauty vs. outward |
| Song of Sol 4:1 | Behold, you are fair, my love! Indeed, you are fair! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats that have come down from Mount Gilead. | Hair as beauty |
| Song of Sol 4:7 | You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. | Perfection and beauty |
| Prov 31:31 | Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. | Woman's works and praise |
| Eph 5:22 | Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. | Husband-wife submission |
| Eph 5:23 | For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. | Husband as head of wife |
| Eph 5:24 | Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. | Church submitting to Christ |
| Col 3:18 | Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. | Submission in the Lord |
| 1 Pet 3:7 | Likewise you husbands, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. | Honor due to wives |
| John 17:17 | Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. | Word of God as truth |
| 1 Cor 7:14 | For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. | Mutual sanctification in marriage |
| Gen 24:65 | And when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from her camel; For she had taken a covering, and put it upon herself. And the servant had told her all things that he had done. | Rebekah's covering |
| Isa 3:18-23 | In that day the Lord will take away the finery of their anklets, the caps of network, and the moonstones; the pendants, the bracelets, and the veils; the headdresses, the anklets, the sashes, the perfume bottles, and the amulets; the rings, and nose jewels; the fine robes, the capes, the cloaks, and the purses; the hand mirrors, the fine linen, the headbands, and the veils. | Detailed women's adornments |
1 Corinthians 11 verses
1 Corinthians 11 15 Meaning
In this verse, it states that "if a woman has long hair, it is given to her as a covering." The "covering" mentioned here refers to her natural hair, which serves as a symbolic head covering. This natural covering is seen as a sign of her unique position and distinctiveness, perhaps implying a role related to submission or adornment within the assembly.
1 Corinthians 11 15 Context
This verse is part of Paul's larger discussion in 1 Corinthians chapter 11 concerning order and propriety in public worship. Specifically, he is addressing practices related to men and women, focusing on head coverings, hair length, and the Lord's Supper. The Corinthian church was a diverse congregation with varying cultural norms, and Paul sought to provide guidance that respected these differences while upholding godly principles. He emphasizes the importance of reflecting God's order in their practices and avoiding conduct that would bring offense or dishonor to God, the church, or oneself. This section likely addresses disagreements within the Corinthian church regarding the conduct of women during worship, particularly whether they should have their heads covered.
1 Corinthians 11 15 Word Analysis
- αὐτῇ (autē): "her" or "to her." This is a third-person feminine singular pronoun, directly referring back to the woman.
- περιβολὴν (peribolēn): "covering," "mantle," or "garment." This is an accusative noun from peribole, which signifies something thrown around oneself. In this context, it refers to a covering, but the grammatical structure and the flow from the preceding verses suggest it's about the woman's natural hair itself being a covering.
- ἔχειν (echein): "to have" or "to possess." This infinitive verb describes the state of having.
- εἰ (ei): "if." A conditional particle introducing the hypothesis.
- κομᾷ (komā): "to wear long hair," "to have long hair." This Greek verb, komao, refers to having hair that is allowed to grow long. It is the characteristic by which this "covering" is identified. The LXX uses it to describe Samson's hair.
Words-group by words-group Analysis:
- "εἰ δὲ γυνὴ ἀτιμαζει (ei de gune atimazei)": "But if a woman dishonors." This clause sets up a conditional statement, indicating a consequence of an action. The implication from prior verses is that the dishonor is associated with head-covering practices in worship.
- "αὐτῇ περιβολὴν ἔχειν": "has a covering for herself." This phrase asserts that a covering is possessed by the woman. The ambiguity lies in whether this covering is natural or a separate physical covering. The context of "long hair" clarifies this.
- "εἰ γὰρ ἀτιμαζει": "if [she] dishonors." This is a crucial element from the preceding verse (verse 14), linking dishonor to the male having long hair. Verse 15 then offers the natural reason or observation that a woman having long hair serves as her covering.
1 Corinthians 11 15 Bonus Section
The interpretation of this verse has been a subject of much debate. Some scholars and traditions see it as a universal, timeless command for women to wear some form of physical covering (like a veil or scarf) during worship, believing long hair itself might not always be sufficient or that the natural covering principle should be applied externally. Others argue that Paul is specifically referencing the long hair of women as the covering and is making a point about the inherent difference between male and female in creation, a difference that should be reflected in their appearance during corporate worship. The cultural context is critical here, as head coverings had varying social and religious significations in the Greco-Roman world. Paul's aim seems to be that whatever the practice, it should honor God and the order He established, respecting distinctions between male and female and avoiding scandal within the church. The mention of "angels" in verse 10 also adds a layer of mystery, suggesting their presence and observation during worship services, and a need for order that is pleasing to God.
1 Corinthians 11 15 Commentary
Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 11:15 provides a reason why long hair is a sign of distinction for women, describing it as a natural covering given to her. This natural hair covering is presented as the opposite of a disgrace, contrasting with the notion of a man with long hair being a disgrace in the previous verse. The emphasis is on a divinely given distinctiveness. While some interpret this as a direct instruction for women to keep their hair long as a sign of submission, others view it as Paul using cultural understanding and natural phenomena to argue for specific ways women should present themselves in public worship. The beauty and symbolism associated with a woman's long hair were understood in ancient cultures and can be seen in the Song of Solomon. It underscores a visual sign of femininity and perhaps a distinct role within the religious assembly, without necessarily negating other aspects of godly adornment.
Practical Usage Examples:
- Understanding that natural attributes can carry symbolic weight in God's design for male and female.
- Reflecting on how our appearance in worship should honor God and reflect order.
- Considering the importance of discerning cultural norms from timeless biblical principles.