A Young People's Meeting: The Question Box: No. 6 Hair as a Covering

From: Young Christian: Volume 30, 1940

Young People's Meeting: The Question Box, A: No. 6 Hair as a Covering

From: A Young People's Meeting: The Question Box

• 4 min. read • grade level: 10

No. 6

Question: Why is it that a woman should cover her head if her hair is given to her for a covering?

Answer: 1 Cor. 11:3-16³But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. ⁴Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. ⁵But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. ⁶For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. ⁷For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. ⁸For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. ⁹Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. ¹⁰For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. ¹¹Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. ¹²For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. ¹³Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? ¹⁴Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? ¹⁵But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. ¹⁶But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. (1 Corinthians 11:3‑16) is the passage of scripture dealing with this question.

“But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered (that is, without a hat or veil, or some such covering) dishonoureth her head (that is, the man, see 1 Cor. 11:3³But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3))”, even as a man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head (that is, Christ) (1 Cor. 11:4-5⁴Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. ⁵But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. (1 Corinthians 11:4‑5)).

The Apostle insists that if a woman be not covered (that is, wearing a hat), she should be shorn; then he remarks indignantly, “But if it be shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven (which it certainly is), let her be covered” (1 Cor. 11:6⁶For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. (1 Corinthians 11:6)).

A woman wearing a hat or other covering is a sign of subjection, and this lesson is read by the angels.

“For this cause ought the woman to have power (or, a covering) on her head because of the angels” (1 Cor. 11:10¹⁰For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. (1 Corinthians 11:10)). They are learning from the church, and mark her ways, and if the woman in the assembly were to appear uncovered or shorn, they would be taught the lesson incorrectly (See Eph. 3:10¹⁰To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (Ephesians 3:10)). The Apostle closes this part of the subject with the simple appeal,

“Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?” (1 Cor. 11:13¹³Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? (1 Corinthians 11:13)).

The case of Rebekah was referred to, as the example of a godly woman of old, who so beautifully manifested her subjection by her conduct and attitude. Though she had long hair, without a doubt, yet, in the presence of Isaac, “she took a vail, and covered herself” (Gen. 24:65⁶⁵For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself. (Genesis 24:65)). Do we not have the Holy Spirit’s commendation of such action in 1 Peter 3:3-6³Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; ⁴But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. ⁵For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: ⁶Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. (1 Peter 3:3‑6).

Another question is now brought up, Why should a woman have long hair?

“Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering” (1 Cor. 11:14-15¹⁴Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? ¹⁵But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. (1 Corinthians 11:14‑15)). Both nature and revelation agree in teaching the propriety of a woman having long hair.

Never was there a day like the present for the Christian woman to manifest her obedience and submissiveness to the Word, in this matter. When the custom of cutting or “bobbing” the hair has swept well nigh the whole “civilized” world, there is indeed a grave danger of even Christian women being carried along with it, as is witnessed, alas, to our shame, by some even in our own gatherings who have adapted themselves to it, apparently unexercised about it, regardless of warnings, and with the consciousness of the unhappiness and grief brought to others through it. Is it for the sake of conformity to the world that they are willing to yield what God has given them, and called their “glory”?

Why should those who have been redeemed at the infinite cost of the precious blood of Christ, and placed under His Lordship, enslave themselves to the fickle tastes of this poor restless world? A woman with long hair today is a marked person—so well nigh universal is the opposite custom. More than once has a woman’s long hair identified her as a believer. Happy when this is so!