1 Corinthians 11:6

KJV

For 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} if {G1487} the woman {G1135} be {G2619} not {G3756} covered {G2619}, let her {G2751} also {G2532} be shorn {G2751}: but {G1161} if {G1487} it be a shame {G149} for a woman {G1135} to be shorn {G2751} or {G2228} shaven {G3587}, let her be covered {G2619}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For if a woman is not veiled, let her also have her hair cut short; but if it is shameful for a woman to wear her hair cut short or to have her head shaved, then let her be veiled.

Berean Standard Bible

If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. And if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.

American Standard Version

For if a woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn: but if it is a shame to a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 11:6 is a pivotal verse within Paul's broader discussion on order, authority, and appropriate conduct for men and women in public worship within the Corinthian church. Paul employs a rhetorical argument, asserting that if a woman is unwilling to be covered while praying or prophesying, she might as well have her hair shorn or shaven. This stark comparison leverages the profound cultural shame associated with shorn or shaven hair for women in Greco-Roman society, thereby emphasizing the importance of adhering to prevailing norms of modesty and decorum to avoid bringing dishonor upon herself, the church, or the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Paul's detailed instructions regarding public worship in Corinth, specifically concerning head coverings (or lack thereof) for women. The preceding verses, [1 Corinthians 11:2-5](/1_corinthians/11-2-5 "1 Corinthians 11:2-5 - Paul's Instructions on Headship and Head Coverings"), establish a theological framework of headship—God as the head of Christ, Christ as the head of man, and man as the head of woman. Paul then applies this framework to the practice of prayer and prophecy, stating that a man should not cover his head, but a woman should. Verse 6 serves as a forceful, almost hyperbolic, logical extension of this argument: if an uncovered head is shameful, then it is akin to the ultimate shame of having one's hair cut short or shaved. The subsequent verses, [1 Corinthians 11:7-16](/1_corinthians/11-7-16 "1 Corinthians 11:7-16 - Further Arguments for Head Coverings"), continue to elaborate on the reasons for this practice, drawing on creation order, angels, and even nature itself.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city in the Roman province of Achaia, characterized by its diverse population, wealth, and often lax moral standards. In Greco-Roman society, a woman's hair and its presentation were significant markers of her social status, modesty, and marital standing. Respectable women, particularly married ones, commonly wore some form of head covering or kept their hair bound up in public as a sign of modesty and adherence to social norms. Conversely, having one's hair "shorn" (cut short) or "shaven" (completely removed) was a severe public disgrace. This practice was associated with women of ill repute, such as prostitutes, or those who were slaves, captives of war, or had been accused of adultery and publicly shamed. Paul's argument in [1 Corinthians 11:6](/1_corinthians/11-6 "1 Corinthians 11:6 - The Shame of Uncovered Hair") therefore taps into a deeply ingrained cultural understanding of honor and shame, using a culturally resonant image of disgrace to underscore his point about public decorum within the Christian assembly.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Corinthians and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the theme of **Order and Decorum in Worship**, as Paul consistently emphasizes the need for the church to conduct itself in a way that honors God and promotes edification, as seen in [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Let All Things Be Done Decently and in Order"). It also highlights **Cultural Sensitivity and the Church's Public Witness**. Paul is keenly aware that the behavior of Christians can either attract or repel outsiders, and actions perceived as scandalous or rebellious within the prevailing culture could hinder the spread of the Gospel and bring disrepute to Christ's name. This aligns with the principle of [not causing others to stumble](/romans/14-13 "Romans 14:13 - Do Not Cause a Brother to Stumble") or bringing reproach upon the Christian faith. Finally, while culturally specific, the verse is rooted in the broader concept of **Respect for God-given Order and Authority**, which Paul introduces in [1 Corinthians 11:3](/1_corinthians/11-3 "1 Corinthians 11:3 - The Principle of Headship").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **covered (Greek, _katakalýptō_):** From G2619, meaning "to cover wholly, i.e., veil." In this context, it refers to the act of a woman veiling or covering her head. Paul uses this term to denote the expected public appearance of a respectable woman in Corinthian society, contrasting it sharply with an uncovered state.
* **shorn (Greek, _keírō_):** From G2751, meaning "to shear." This verb implies cutting the hair short, as one might shear sheep. For women in the Greco-Roman world, having hair cut short was a sign of disgrace, often associated with specific social statuses like prostitutes or slaves, or as a punitive measure for adultery. Paul uses this to represent a lesser, but still significant, form of public shame.
* **shaven (Greek, _xyráō_):** From G3587, meaning "to shave or 'shear' the hair." This term denotes a more extreme action than _keírō_, implying a complete removal of the hair, typically with a razor. This was the ultimate mark of public humiliation for a woman, often imposed as a punishment or a sign of extreme degradation. By pairing "shorn" and "shaven," Paul emphasizes the severe continuum of disgrace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn:"** Paul introduces his argument with a logical consequence. If a woman chooses not to adhere to the cultural norm of being "covered" (veiled or having her hair bound up appropriately) in public, particularly during prayer or prophecy, then she might as well go to the extreme of having her hair "shorn." This is a rhetorical challenge, implying that the two actions (being uncovered and being shorn) are linked by the common thread of public shame or indecency in that cultural context.
* **"but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered."** This clause serves as the powerful conclusion to Paul's rhetorical argument. He states that if it is universally acknowledged as a "shame" (G149, _aischrón_, meaning indecorum or a shameful thing) for a woman to have her hair "shorn" or "shaven," then by logical extension, she should indeed be "covered." The implication is that an uncovered head, in the Corinthian context, carried a similar, albeit perhaps lesser, degree of public dishonor that Christians should avoid.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's argument in [1 Corinthians 11:6](/1_corinthians/11-6 "1 Corinthians 11:6 - The Shame of Uncovered Hair") is a masterclass in **Rhetorical Argumentation** and **Analogy**. He doesn't merely state a rule but constructs a compelling, culturally resonant logical progression. The verse employs a strong **Conditional Statement** ("If... then...") to establish a direct link between an uncovered head and the universally recognized disgrace of shorn or shaven hair. This creates a powerful **Analogy** or **Comparison**, equating the perceived impropriety of an uncovered head with the extreme public shame of a shorn or shaven head. The use of "shorn" and "shaven" (κείρω and ξυράω) creates a **Climactic Parallelism**, moving from a severe haircut to a complete shaving, intensifying the image of disgrace. The entire verse functions as an **Appeal to Shame/Honor**, leveraging deeply ingrained cultural values to persuade the Corinthian women to adopt a practice that would uphold public decorum and the church's reputation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While the specific cultural practice of head coverings may vary in contemporary application, the underlying theological principles of 1 Corinthians 11:6 remain profoundly relevant. This verse underscores the importance of Christian conduct being mindful of its impact on both the internal community and the external world. It teaches that believers should strive for actions that promote order, unity, and a compelling witness to the Gospel, avoiding anything that would cause unnecessary offense or bring disrepute to the name of Christ. The principle is not about enforcing a specific dress code for all time, but about discerning how to live out biblical truths in culturally sensitive ways that honor God and do not become a stumbling block to others.

* [Romans 14:13](/romans/14-13 "Romans 14:13 - Do Not Cause a Brother to Stumble")
* [1 Corinthians 8:9](/1_corinthians/8-9 "1 Corinthians 8:9 - Beware Lest Your Liberty Be a Stumblingblock")
* [1 Corinthians 10:31-33](/1_corinthians/10-31-33 "1 Corinthians 10:31-33 - Do All to the Glory of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Corinthians 11:6 challenges believers today to consider how our actions, appearance, and conduct reflect upon the Christian faith within our specific cultural contexts. While the literal practice of head coverings may not be universally mandated or understood in the same way as in ancient Corinth, the core principle of thoughtful decorum in public worship and daily life remains vital. We are called to live in such a way that our behavior does not hinder the Gospel, cause unnecessary offense, or bring disrepute to Christ's name. This requires spiritual discernment to understand the "shameful" or "indecorous" equivalents in our own societies, and to choose paths that prioritize the unity of the body, the clarity of our witness, and the glory of God above personal preference or perceived rights. Our freedom in Christ should always be exercised responsibly, with love for our neighbor and a desire to see others drawn to the truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "shameful" or "indecorous" equivalents in my current cultural context that a Christian should avoid to maintain a good witness?**
* **How can I apply the principle of "doing all things decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40) to my personal conduct and participation in corporate worship today?**
* **In what ways might my exercise of Christian liberty inadvertently cause a "stumbling block" for others, either inside or outside the church?**

### FAQ

**Does 1 Corinthians 11:6 mean that all Christian women must wear head coverings today?**

Answer: Not necessarily in a literal, universal sense. The passage in [1 Corinthians 11](/1_corinthians/11 "1 Corinthians 11 - Headship and Head Coverings") is highly debated regarding its trans-cultural application. While the specific cultural practice of head coverings for women was a significant marker of modesty and respect in ancient Corinth, the underlying principles are what carry universal weight. Paul's argument leverages a deeply ingrained cultural understanding of honor and shame. For the Corinthian church, an uncovered head for a woman was considered shameful, akin to having shorn or shaven hair. The enduring principle is that Christians should conduct themselves in ways that are culturally appropriate, avoid causing unnecessary offense, and bring honor to God and the church, rather than shame or scandal. Therefore, believers today are called to discern what constitutes "decorum" and "modesty" in their own cultural settings, ensuring their actions promote a positive witness for the Gospel, as emphasized in [1 Corinthians 10:31](/1_corinthians/10-31 "1 Corinthians 10:31 - Do All to the Glory of God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Corinthians 11:6 addresses a specific cultural practice, its underlying principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The verse speaks to the importance of order, honor, and avoiding shame within the community that bears Christ's name. Ultimately, Christ Himself is the supreme example of one who bore shame to bring us honor. He, who was without sin, "made Himself nothing" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")) and endured the ultimate public disgrace of the cross, being "shorn" of His glory and "shaven" of His honor, to take away our sin and shame ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions")). Through His sacrifice, we are "covered" not by a veil, but by His righteousness ([Romans 3:22](/romans/3-22 "Romans 3:22 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Furthermore, Christ is the head of the church, His body ([Ephesians 5:23](/ephesians/5-23 "Ephesians 5:23 - Christ as Head of the Church")), and our conduct, even in culturally specific matters, should reflect the honor due to Him and the unity of His body. Our desire to maintain decorum and avoid scandal, as Paul instructs, ultimately points to our reverence for Christ and our mission to present Him blamelessly to a watching world, ensuring that nothing hinders the spread of His glorious Gospel ([1 Corinthians 9:23](/1_corinthians/9-23 "1 Corinthians 9:23 - I Do It All for the Sake of the Gospel")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 22:5

¶ The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Numbers 5:18

And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which [is] the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse: