1 Corinthians 11:14

14 Neither the nature itself teacheth us [that], for if a man nourish long hair, it is shame to him; [Neither the kind itself teacheth us that, for if a man nourish long hair, it is evil fame 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 why as the woman is of the man, so [and] the man is by the woman; but all things be of God.

13 Deem ye yourselves; beseemeth it a woman not covered on the head to pray to God? [Ye yourselves deem; becometh, or beseemeth, it a woman not veiled, or covered, to pray to God?]

14 Neither the nature itself teacheth us [that], for if a man nourish long hair, it is shame to him; [Neither the kind itself teacheth us that, for if a man nourish long hair, it is evil fame to him;]

15 but if a woman nourish long hair, it is glory to her, for hairs be given to her for covering.

16 But if any man is seen to be full of strife, we have none such custom, neither the church of God.