Postby Michael » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:10 pm
I don't want to start an argument over guys with long hair, suffice it to say the verse says 'nature itself.' And I take that literally. I don't think it's right for men to have long hair and that's my belief.
The reasons for women to have long hair are very Biblical, observe:
1 Corinthians 11: 2-5
"But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head--it is the same as if her head were shaven."
Paul sets up the relationship between man and wife and then how a men pray and how women pray. You've seen men take their hats off to pray, right? Well that goes back to this verse. But do you see women cover their head to pray? Not often, and I think that's something that should be addressed more. Paul goes on to say that a women dishonors herself if she shaves her head.
1 Cor. 11: 5-10
"For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels."
Again Paul shows how a women (or wife) can dishonor her head by shaving it. If she is to pray and to have long hair, then she should wear a covering like a hat. He also goes into more depth on how a man should pray with his head uncovered, so as not to defile it. He then shows the relationship between man and women; women are the glory of men. And that is the key to why women should have long hair, it is a symbol of authority.
1 Cor. 11:11-12
"Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God."
Paul was a smart man; he anticipated that some would challenge him for his view of women. He clearly sets men and women together so that they can't be seperated. Women came from man, and now men come from women.
1 Cor. 11:13-14
"Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him,"
And this is were it gets tricky; Paul is blatant when he says 'nature itself.' He doesn't say 'culture' or 'politics' or anything else, and I believe him. He says 'nature itself.' To paraphrase Martin Luther, "My conscience is convicted by God: Here I stand, I can do no more."
1 Cor. 11:15-16
"but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God."
And this is the crux of the matter; long hair on a women is to her glory. If she is married, she wears the symbol not only as a symbol of authority, but also as a symbol of protection. A man finds sexual protection in his wife. Paul also shows his forsight again by challenging the contentious and the argumentative. He knew this would be something that would be fought over, and thanks to God, we have the truth through His word so that no man can contradict it.
I hope this helps someone, but Sola Deo Gloria.
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