1 Corinthians 11:14
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
Original Language Analysis
αὐτῷ
itself
G846
αὐτῷ
itself
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἤ
G3588
ἤ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φύσις
nature
G5449
φύσις
nature
Strong's:
G5449
Word #:
5 of 15
growth (by germination or expansion), i.e., (by implication) natural production (lineal descent); by extension, a genus or sort; figuratively, native
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
8 of 15
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
μὲν
G3303
μὲν
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
11 of 15
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ἀτιμία
a shame
G819
ἀτιμία
a shame
Strong's:
G819
Word #:
13 of 15
infamy, i.e., (subjectively) comparative indignity, (objectively) disgrace
Historical Context
Roman men typically wore short hair (military standard), while barbarians and Greeks sometimes wore it longer. Jewish men varied. Effeminate male temple prostitutes in pagan cults often had long, styled hair. Paul likely addresses men in Corinth who were adopting long hair as a sign of spiritual sophistication or freedom, inadvertently blurring gender distinctions. His appeal to 'nature' isn't arbitrary cultural preference but recognition that God's creation establishes norms that cultures generally recognize (Romans 1:26-27, 2:14-15).
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'nature' teach moral and social norms, and what role should natural law play in Christian ethics?
- In what ways do modern trends toward androgyny and gender fluidity resist 'nature' as Paul understood it?
- How can Christians distinguish between essential gender distinctions (rooted in creation) and non-essential cultural expressions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?—Paul's appeal to φύσις (physis, nature) is debated. Does nature mean:
Κομᾷ (koma, have long hair) means letting hair grow uncut, not merely longer than women's.
In Greco-Roman culture, long hair on men was associated with effeminacy, homosexuality, or philosophical eccentricity (Cynics). Jewish Nazirite vows involved long hair (Numbers 6:5), but this was temporary sanctification, not normative. Paul argues that normative male appearance—short hair—reflects masculine identity, just as the head covering reflects gender order in worship. It is a shame unto him (ἀτιμία αὐτῷ ἐστιν)—dishonor, loss of dignity. Blurring gender distinctions through appearance dishonors God's design.