Bible Questions and Answers

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Can you explain 1 Corinthians 11:14-15? What does the following verse (verse 16) mean then?

1 Corinthians 11:14,15 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonour to him? 15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

Paul is explaining the need for women to cover their heads when praying or prophesying, whereas a man should not cover his.1 Corinthians 11:1-13The head of a man uncovered represents Christ.

Having carefully laid out why the difference in head covering is necessary, it hardly makes sense for Paul to conclude — ‘we have no such custom’.

The NIV translation makes more sense:

1 Corinthians 11:16 [NIV] If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn