King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 11:15 Mean?

1 Corinthians 11:15 in the King James Version says “But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. covering: or, veil” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. covering: or, veil”

1 Corinthians 11:15 · KJV

Context

13

Judge in yourselves : is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

14

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

15

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. covering: or, veil

16

But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

17

Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

Read 1 Corinthians 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering—The contrast: man's long hair is shame (v. 14), woman's long hair is glory (δόξα, doxa). Long hair signifies femininity, beauty, and God's design. The parallel structure (doxa to woman, atimia to man) reinforces gender distinctiveness as divinely ordained, not culturally arbitrary.

For her hair is given her for a covering (ὅτι ἡ κόμη ἀντὶ περιβολαίου δέδοται αὐτῇ)—anti peribolaiou (instead of/in place of a covering) is crucial. Does this mean: (1) hair replaces the need for a veil (making vv. 5-6 contradictory)? Unlikely. (2) Hair is a natural covering that points to the need for an additional symbolic covering in worship? Most likely. Nature provides a built-in covering (hair), which itself teaches that women should be covered; in worship, an additional covering symbolizes the principle nature already illustrates. Long hair and head covering both signify the same reality: feminine glory under male headship, creational order honored.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Roman and Greek women prized long hair as a sign of beauty and femininity. Hair care was elaborate among wealthy women. Cutting or shaving women's hair was shameful (v. 6). Paul doesn't reject cultural aesthetics but Christianizes them—long hair isn't vanity but God-given glory that points to deeper theological realities. The covering in worship extends the principle nature establishes through hair: women's beauty and glory are real but should be displayed within proper order, not flaunted autonomously.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does nature (long hair) point to theological truths about gender and glory?
  2. What is the relationship between natural covering (hair) and cultural covering (veil)—does one replace the other or reinforce it?
  3. How can women embrace their God-given beauty and femininity while avoiding vanity or immodesty?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
γυνὴ1 of 14

“a woman”

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

δὲ2 of 14

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐὰν3 of 14

“if”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

κομᾷ4 of 14

“have long hair”

G2863

to wear tresses of hair

δόξα5 of 14

“a glory”

G1391

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)

αὐτῇ6 of 14

“her”

G846

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

ἐστιν7 of 14

“it is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ὅτι8 of 14

“for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἡ9 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόμη10 of 14

“her hair”

G2864

the hair of the head (locks, as ornamental, and thus differing from g2359; which properly denotes merely the scalp)

ἀντὶ11 of 14

“for”

G473

opposite, i.e., instead or because of (rarely in addition to)

περιβολαίου12 of 14

“a covering”

G4018

something thrown around one, i.e., a mantle, veil

δέδοται13 of 14

“is given”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

αὐτῇ14 of 14

“her”

G846

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 11:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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