HAIR

Most assume in our day that every person has the right to do whatever he or she wishes in regard to their hair. If a young man wishes to dye his hair orange or green, OK. If a girl wishes to wear a wig or some bizarre style, this is her right. If an older woman cuts her hair short, or if a man lets his hair grow two feet long this is his right. It is like in the time of the Judges: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Jdg 21:25). This well describes our own day in regard to the hair — and in regard to life in general.

Does God have anything to say to the Christian in regard to our hair? “What does the Scripture say?” (Rom 4:3). I Corinthians 11:2-16 says a woman should wear a covering when she prays, and that a man should not. The same word is used in Ephesians 5:12 of the shame for a woman to speak in the public assemblies. “If a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her” (I Cor 11:13-15). The term here is atimia meaning “dishonor, disgrace, shame.”

The Bible says if a woman has long hair, “it is a glory to her” (I Cor 11:15). Barrett says, “To wear her hair long in a womanly fashion is an outward sign that a woman is fulfilling her role in creation.” If God says that long hair is a “glory” to a woman, who dares argue with Him?

Jesus was invited to a meal shortly before He died. Martha was serving. Mary “annointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair” (John 11:2; 12:3). Her hair was long enough to wipe our Lord’s feet! The woman in Simon’s house did likewise (Lk 7:38,44), using her hair as a towel. This was fitting and a glory to allow their hair to grow long. Also note I Tim 2:9-10 and I Pet 3:3-4.

What may we conclude? Men should not look feminine and women should not look masculine! Some women have longer hair by nature, whereas some women’s hair simply will not grow very long — and they should not be made to look inferior because of genetic limitations. All women who strive to please God should be praised (Prov 31:31).

–Alvin Jennings