1 Corinthians 11:14

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

Doth ^{G2228} not even ^{G3761} nature ^{G5449} itself ^{G846} teach ^{G1321} you ^{G5209}, that ^{G3754}, if ^{G1437}^{G3303} a man ^{G435} have long hair ^{G2863}, it is ^{G2076} a shame ^{G819} unto him ^{G846}?

Doesn’t the nature of things itself teach you that a man who wears his hair long degrades himself?

Doesn’t nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a dishonor to him?

Context of 1 Corinthians 11:14

This verse is part of a broader discussion in 1 Corinthians 11 concerning order, authority, and appropriate conduct within the Corinthian church, particularly during public worship. Paul addresses issues of head coverings for men and women, aiming to promote decorum and respect for established distinctions. In the Greco-Roman world of Corinth, societal norms regarding hair length and head coverings often signified social status, marital status, or gender. Paul appeals to these commonly understood social distinctions, which he links to a natural or created order.

Key Themes and Messages

Propriety and Decorum: Paul emphasizes the importance of outward appearance reflecting inner order and respect, especially in the context of communal worship. The verse highlights the idea that certain appearances can be unfitting or bring "shame" or dishonor.
Gender Distinctions: The passage underscores observable differences between men and women, which Paul views as divinely ordained and reflected in creation and societal norms. He argues that these distinctions should be honored, even in outward appearance.
Appeal to "Nature" or Common Sense: When Paul says "Doth not even nature itself teach you," he is appealing to what was generally understood and accepted as natural or customary within their culture. This isn't necessarily a biological imperative but rather a reference to widely held societal perceptions of what is fitting for men.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated as "nature" is physis (φύσις). While it can refer to inherent characteristics or the natural world, in this context, it likely encompasses customary practice, societal norms, and what is generally perceived as appropriate or natural within a given culture. The term "shame" (atimia, ἀτιμία) signifies disgrace, dishonor, or something that brings discredit, indicating that long hair on men was considered unfitting or dishonorable in the Corinthian society of Paul's day.

Related Scriptures

This verse flows from the preceding discussion on male and female roles and head coverings, which Paul introduces in 1 Corinthians 11:3.
The concept of maintaining order and avoiding anything that causes shame or dishonor is echoed in 1 Corinthians 14:40, where Paul states, "Let all things be done decently and in order."
The underlying principle of distinctions reflecting creation is found in Genesis 1:27, where God creates humanity as male and female.

Practical Application

While this verse specifically addresses hair length for men in a particular cultural context, the enduring principle is about recognizing and respecting appropriate distinctions and maintaining decorum, especially in corporate worship. It encourages believers to consider how their appearance might be perceived by others and whether it honors God and the community. The application isn't a universal command for all men in all cultures to have short hair, but rather a call to understand and apply principles of modesty, propriety, and respect for established order within one's own cultural setting, avoiding anything that might unnecessarily cause distraction or dishonor.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

2 Samuel 14:26

And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled [it]: because [the hair] was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.
1 Corinthians 14:35

And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.