Why don’t you cut your hair? This is a very common question that I get and along with “why don’t you ever wear pants?” or “why don’t you wear jewelry?”. These questions are ones that every Apostolic woman hears over and over again throughout the years. Today I want to take a little time and explain to you just why it is that I do not cut my hair.
1 Corinthians 11: 5-16 (NLT)
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
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.
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
This passage tells us that if a woman refuses to wear a covering. It is as though she has shaven (cut) her hair. It also tells us that to be shaven (to have cut hair) is a shame unto her.
Uncut Hair Is A Covering
It goes on to say that a woman’s hair is given to her for a covering. Therefore what I have gathered from this is that if a woman cuts her hair, it’s a shame unto her. But if she has long (uncut) hair, it is a glory to her. And that she has power on her head because of the angels.
Now I know that some of you think I am taking my liberty here with the meaning of “shorn”. But if you go back to the original text the word used is the Greek word “keiro”. Which means ‘cut with shears, remove by cutting”. So no matter how much is cut it is as if she is shaven. Which is a shame to her and as though she is praying uncovered.
Cut Hair Is A Shame
I know that some of you are like “well this is one passage and what’s it matter if my cut hair brings me to shame”. Well, I am glad you asked! The original word used was the Greek word “aischron” which refers to something that is a disgrace. It is the neuter form of “aischros” which is translated “filthy.” In W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, “aischros” is defined as “that which is opposed to modesty or purity.”.
I don’t know about you, but I do not want to be seen in the eyes of man, let alone God, as one that is opposed to modesty and purity. If I am showing myself as opposed to that by cutting my hair then I am failing to be the Christian I am called to be.
Christians are called to live a life “holy and acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). We are called to Let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16).
So if I am living a life that speaks of opposing God’s standards for His people, what kind of Christian am I truly being? What kind of witness am I to a world that is lost and dying?
Thank You For Reading
My hope for those of you reading this article who question why Apostolic women don’t cut their hair is that it helps you understand we are doing as a sign of obedience to our miraculous God. He has asked us through His word to present our bodies, yes that includes our hair, as a sign of our separation from the world to show that we are true believers and followers of His word.
I hope this article helps you understand why I chose to not cut my hair. If you have more questions about this particular practice of the Apostolic faith, please let us know! We would be happy to answer any questions you have.
To Learn More
If you are looking for even more research into this belief, I highly recommend checking out Capital Community Church Pastor Raymond Woodward’s article Because We Are His. It goes into a lot more depth on the reasoning behind holiness standards.
Visit LaBreanna’s personal website Here. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall.