Carrol Ray Sutton
There are some things that people do of which they should be ashamed, but they are not. Here are three things:
It is a shame for a man to have long hair. The apostle Paul said, “Doth not even nature 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. 11:14-15) This is not discussing a particular class of men. It says, “a man.” That would include all men, young and old.
Someone may ask, “Why did Jesus have long hair?” I have never seen any proof from the Scriptures that Jesus had long hair! Have you? If so, where? Yes, it is a shame for a man to have long hair.
It is a shame for a woman to have short hair. Read 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 again. In contrast with it being a shame for a man to have long hair, Paul said, “But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her…” Paul also said, “…but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven…” (1 Cor. 11:16). Note: The use of the word “if” does not express doubt. It is the equivalent of saying, “since” it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven. The result of being shorn or shaven is short hair or no hair. Therefore, it is a shame for a woman to have short hair since it is a shame for her to be shorn or shaven. Long hair is a glory to her.
It is a shame for women to speak in the church. A careful reading of 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 indicates that women are to keep silent in the churches (assemblies) as far as speaking and asking questions are concerned. They are to be submissive (i.e., “under obedience”) as also the law teaches. Note verse 34b: “For it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
Some people try to make void the teachings of First Corinthians 11:2-16 and 14:34-35 by saying that those were “customs” back then that don’t apply now. Others say that these passages were in the first century when “spiritual gifts” were in operation and don’t apply now. But these are only assertions that can’t be proven by truth.
