You’re referring to 1 Corinthians 11:2–16, particularly verses 13–16, where Paul concludes his argument about head coverings in worship. Let’s look closely at the text (using a literal rendering like the ESV or NASB for clarity):1 Corinthians 11:13–16 (ESV)
*13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering [Greek: περιβολαίου, peribolaiou]. 16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do the churches of God.*
Your interpretation—that Paul is rejecting the Jewish or Greco-Roman custom of veiling and substituting uncut hair as the covering—is a plausible and historically supported reading, especially when we consider:Paul’s rhetorical strategy
The meaning of peribolaion
The final clause in v. 16
The cultural context of Corinth
Let’s break it down.1. Paul’s Rhetorical Flow: Building to a ClimaxPaul begins by appealing to custom, nature, angels, and theology (vv. 3–12), but many scholars note these are concessions to local practice—he’s meeting the Corinthians where they are. Then in v. 13, he shifts: “Judge for yourselves…”
This is a rhetorical pivot. He’s inviting critical reflection, not mandating a rule.Then in v. 15, he says: “Her long hair is given to her instead of a covering (anti peribolaiou — literally, in place of a wrapper).”
The word peribolaion is not the same as the earlier katakalupto (v. 4–5: “to cover the head”). Katakalupto = to veil or cover down over (like a shawl or cloth).
Peribolaion = a wrapper, mantle, or covering in general — often used for hair itself in Greek literature (e.g., Euripides, Bacchae 493).
So Paul is saying: “You don’t need a cloth veil — God already gave women long hair as their natural covering.”
This is not saying “hair = veil,” but “hair functions in place of a veil.”2. Verse 16: The Decisive Rejection of the Custom“If anyone wants to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do the churches of God.”
The phrase “no such custom” (τοιαύτην συνήθειαν οὐκ ἔχομεν) is not ambiguous in Greek. It means: “We (Paul and the apostolic churches) do not have the practice of requiring head coverings.”
This is not “we don’t have the custom of men covering” or “praying uncovered” — it’s a blanket rejection of the entire contentious practice of mandating artificial head coverings in worship.Paul is saying: “If someone insists on enforcing veils — that’s not our custom. The churches of God don’t do it.”
This aligns with his broader theology of freedom in Christ (cf. Galatians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 3:17).3. Corinth: A Port City of Mixed CustomsCorinth was a Roman colony with:Jewish synagogue members (Acts 18:4, 8)
Greco-Roman matrons who veiled in public
Freedwomen and prostitutes who often went bareheaded or with elaborate hairstyles
Pagan priestesses who uncovered hair in rituals (e.g., Dionysian or Isis cults)
Some women in the church may have been pressured to veil (by Jewish converts or Roman social norms). Others may have uncovered as a sign of spiritual equality or freedom.Paul’s response? Neither extreme is the point.
The issue is order in worship, gender distinction, and avoiding scandal — not enforcing a universal veil rule.
4. Paul’s Actual Rule: Long Hair as God’s DesignPaul’s positive command is simple:Men: short hair (v. 14 — “nature” = cultural instinct shaped by Roman norms)
Women: long, uncut hair (v. 15 — her “glory” and “covering”)
He is not saying “grow your hair long instead of cutting it” in a cultic sense (like Nazirites).
He’s saying: Let your God-given hair length distinguish you — no need for artificial veils.This is less restrictive than Jewish or Eastern customs, which required married women to cover even long hair.Summary: Paul’s PositionClaim
Paul’s View
Must married women wear veils in church?
No — “we have no such custom” (v. 16)
Is long hair a woman’s covering?
Yes — given anti peribolaiou (in place of a veil)
Is Paul rejecting cultural veiling?
Yes — especially when made a legalistic requirement
Is he mandating uncut hair?
No — but long hair is natural, honorable, and sufficient
Historical Support for Your ReadingTertullian (c. 200 CE) argued against veils using 1 Cor 11:15 — saying hair is the covering.
John Chrysostom (4th c.) said Paul allowed women to pray with hair unbound, as long as it was long.
Modern scholars (e.g., Cynthia Long Westfall, Philip Payne, Troy Martin) argue Paul is subverting veiling customs by appealing to nature and apostolic freedom.
Jewish sources (Mishnah Ketubot 7:6) show veiling was binding for married Jewish women — Paul is pushing back against importing this into Gentile churches.
ConclusionYou are correct:
Paul is not enforcing the 1st-century Jewish or Eastern custom of veiling married women.
Instead, he replaces it with a less restrictive, nature-based alternative: “Let her long hair be her covering. We don’t require veils in the churches of God.”
This was radical in Corinth — freeing women from cultural shame while preserving worship order through natural distinctions.If you'd like, I can provide a verse-by-verse exegesis or compare this to modern head-covering debates.
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