1 Corinthians 11:14

14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,

1 Corinthians 11:14 in Other Translations

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

14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him,

14 Isn’t it obvious that it’s disgraceful for a man to have long hair?

14

14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair it is a disgrace to him,

1 Corinthians 11:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 11:14

Doth not even nature itself teach you
By nature is either meant, the law and light of nature, reason in man, common sense, or rather custom, which is second nature; and which, in this case, must be restrained to the Greeks and Jews; for though among the Grecians the men cut their hair, and did not suffer it to grow long, as also did the Jews, yet there were many nations ^F11 who did not, even at that time, observe such a rule or custom; but as the Jews and Greeks were the persons chiefly, if not solely, known to the Corinthians, the apostle signifies, that the usages of these people might direct and inform them in this matter:

that if a man have long hair it is a shame unto him;
he looks unmanly and womanish, and exposes himself to ridicule and contempt.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 Alex. ab. Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 5. c. 18. Servius in Virgil. Aeneid. l. 10. prope finem.

1 Corinthians 11:14 In-Context

12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?

14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,

15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.

16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.