Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?
Parallel translations
- WEB Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?
- KJV Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
- BSB Doesn’t nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,
- NASB Does even nature itself not teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him,
- NLT Isn’t it obvious that it’s disgraceful for a man to have long hair?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul appeals to the common sense of 'nature' that long hair on a man is dishonorable. He uses widely shared customs to reinforce his point.
Overview
Paul argues from 'nature,' likely meaning the established sense of fittingness shaped by creation and culture, that distinctions between men's and women's appearance are appropriate. The application of this in different cultures is discussed among Christians. The underlying concern is that the visible distinction between men and women in worship should be honored as fitting.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- 2 Sam 14:26When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year’s end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it); he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king’s weight.
- 1 Cor 14:35if they desire to learn anything. “Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to be talking in the assembly.”
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Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
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Original language
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