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

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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No. 6
Ques. Why is it that a woman should cover her head if her hair is given to her for a covering?
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)).
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!
The women of the world care nothing for God’s order. Like the women of Judah in Isaiah’s day (Isa. 3:16-2616Moreover the Lord saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: 17Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will discover their secret parts. 18In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, 19The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, 20The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, 21The rings, and nose jewels, 22The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, 23The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. 24And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty. 25Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war. 26And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground. (Isaiah 3:16‑26)), they are hastening the doom of the nations, by their lawlessness. Those who have experienced the grace of God, and who have come under the Lordship of Christ, should shun the ways of those around them, and seek to please their God. He beholds disorder in the world; let His holy eye behold decency and order in the assembly of His saints. It is important to realize that declension of soul is at the bottom of all in subjection to the Word of God.
“But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the assemblies of God” (1 Cor. 11:1616But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. (1 Corinthians 11:16)).
To the indignant Apostle, this was the conclusion of the matter. May it be so likewise with each one of us!