1 Corinthians 11:14

14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair, it is degrading 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.


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 just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman; but all things come from God.
13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head unveiled?
14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair, it is degrading to him,
15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.
16 But if anyone is disposed to be contentious—we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.