Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice–nor do the churches of God  (1 Corinthians 11:13-16).

OK, we’re almost done with hair.

Really

I promise.

Paul is wrapping this discussion up with a classic, “The answer is obvious” pitch, followed by the ever-effective, “That’s just how we do it” close. 

Mic drop

All kidding aside, Paul is ready to move on, but he reiterates his argument that the long hair/short hair issue is based on creation itself. He points out that, for him, the matter is settled, and those under his authority will comply. 

It may seem that Paul is getting awfully heated up about a minor thing, but we should remember that this issue had a lot of hidden and not-so-hidden meaning in Corinth. Remember the whole “meat sacrificed to idols” business from Chapters 9 and 10? Everything–including hairstyles–may be permissible, “but not everything is constructive.” “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”

For the record, my wife has long and beautiful hair, while mine is short and dwindling.

Just saying

Happy Wednesday, Beloved