Lexical Summary komaó: To let the hair grow long, to have long hair Original Word: κομάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance have long hair. From kome; to wear tresses of hair -- have long hair. see GREEK kome NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom komé Definition to wear long hair NASB Translation has long hair (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2863: κομάωκομάω, κόμω; (κόμη); to let the hair grow, have long hair (cf. κόμη at the end): 1 Corinthians 11:14f (In Greek writings from Homer down.) Topical Lexicon Term Overview Strong’s Greek 2863 describes the act of letting one’s hair grow long. It appears twice in the New Testament, both in Paul’s discussion of headship and gender distinctions (1 Corinthians 11:14-15). Scriptural Context In 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 Paul writes, “Does not nature itself 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 her hair is given to her as a covering”. The term frames Paul’s argument that visible distinctions between men and women reflect deeper theological realities about creation order and authority. Cultural Background in Paul’s Day Greco-Roman society generally viewed cropped hair as masculine and abundant tresses as feminine. Male philosophers occasionally wore longer locks, but soldiers, athletes, and most citizens kept hair short. In contrast, women commonly prized length and adornment, sometimes braiding or binding hair to convey modesty or social status. Paul appeals to what “nature” (that is, common human perception shaped by God’s design) affirmed in his readers’ milieu. Creation Order and Gender Distinctions Paul roots his instruction not in local custom alone but in Genesis foundations (1 Corinthians 11:3, 8-9). Differentiated hairstyles symbolized the created distinctions of male headship and female glory. Since Adam was formed first, visible markers—such as uncovered heads for men and covered or long-haired heads for women—reinforce divine intent that remains constant across cultures. Symbols of Honor and Authority The verb underlines how outward appearance reflects honor or shame. For a man to “wear long hair” (2863) rejected the sign of authority God assigned him; for a woman, long hair underscored her role and protected her modesty. Thus hairstyle became a theological statement rather than a mere fashion choice. Relation to Old Testament Nazarite Vows Numbers 6:5 commands Nazarites to let “the locks of hair on his head grow long,” setting them apart for special consecration. This exception proves the rule: prolonged growth marked unusual devotion for men and remained temporary. Samson (Judges 16:17) and Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11) illustrate this rarity. Paul’s Corinthian guidance presumes the ordinary, not the extraordinary, state. Practical Ministry Applications • Uphold clear, God-given distinctions between the sexes in worship settings. Historical Interpretation by the Church Early church fathers such as Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian treated these verses as authoritative for congregational order. Medieval commentators linked long female hair with the veil, a combined covering that guarded chastity. Reformers emphasized the text’s ongoing relevance, though later generations debated exact hair length and coverings. Across history, the core conviction persists: God ordained visible, honorable differentiation. Related Passages Numbers 6:5; Judges 16:17; Ezekiel 44:20; Revelation 9:8 exemplify long hair as signifier. 1 Peter 3:3-4 warns against ostentatious hairstyles, reinforcing modesty. Deuteronomy 22:5 forbids gender confusion in dress, paralleling Paul’s concern. Summary Strong’s 2863 serves as a concise lens through which Paul addresses the harmony of creation order, gender identity, and worship decorum. Long hair on women witnesses to glory under authority; on men it proclaims dishonor. By submitting even hairstyles to Christ’s lordship, the church testifies that every aspect of life, down to a strand, belongs to God’s purposeful design. Forms and Transliterations κομα κομά κομᾷ koma komā̂iLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 11:14 V-PSA-3SGRK: μὲν ἐὰν κομᾷ ἀτιμία αὐτῷ NAS: a man has long hair, it is a dishonor KJV: if a man have long hair, it is a shame INT: indeed if he has long hair a dishonor to him 1 Corinthians 11:15 V-PSA-3S |
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