In discussing head coverings, the apostle Paul addresses the length of hair as a symbol of authority and submission. He states in I Corinthians 11:14-15 that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her as a covering. Paul emphasizes that he is not referring to a hat or veil, but to the actual hair on one's head. A woman wearing her hair long demonstrates her submission to the man, while a man should wear his hair short to reflect his God-given position. In I Corinthians 11:5-6, Paul explains that a woman praying or prophesying with short hair, like a man's, dishonors the man, akin to having her head shaved, which is shameful. He suggests that if a woman does not maintain long hair, she might as well be shorn, highlighting the importance of hair length as a sign of proper attitude and submission. For women, hair should be long enough to appear feminine and honorable, enhancing her appearance, while men must avoid long hair to maintain a clear distinction in grooming and uphold their masculine role. God values this distinction in hair length as a reflection of the chain of authority He has established, applicable in all situations, not just during church services.

Hair emerges as a significant external indicator of one's internal spiritual condition, functioning throughout Scripture as a visible sign that reveals what resides in the heart. This principle connects to the broader theme that God's point of view must govern every choice, including outward appearance, because the human heart—left to its own devices—looks only on the surface and conforms to worldly standards rather than God's revealed will. Old Testament references establish hair's symbolic weight. In Leviticus 13-14, hair served as a physical health indicator, with priests acting as health inspectors examining hair condition to judge cleanliness—foreshadowing how hair length later becomes a spiritual indicator. Absalom's vain, heavy hair symbolized the cunning viciousness that ultimately drove him to rebel against his father. Nebuchadnezzar's hair, grown wild like eagles' feathers during his humbling, symbolized the vain wildness that had been in his heart all along. In Isaiah 3:24, imposed baldness represents shame and forced degradation, while Leviticus 19:27-28 condemns pagan hairstyles deliberately designed to attract attention and signal mourning to influence deity favor—paganism misapplied toward false gods what should rightly be directed toward the true God. Ezekiel 16 demonstrates that God cares about external adornment, including hair, as part of reflecting His own beauty and image—not merely internal character. Ezekiel 44 shows priests instructed neither to shave their heads nor let hair grow long, but to keep it moderately cut, paired with instructions on proper clothing. The New Testament clarifies proper hair length through gender distinction. Peter and Paul (I Peter 3:3-4; I Timothy 2:9) condemn extreme, ostentatious hairstyles that display vanity, not modest, well-kept hair itself. I Corinthians 11 develops this most fully: the Greek word katakalupto (meaning "hanging down") shows that a woman's long hair itself is her covering, symbolizing submission to her governmental head, while short hair on a man honors his headship under Christ. This distinction parallels circumcision—hair length becomes a visible sign of an invisible reality, testifying externally that one is circumcised in heart and submitted to God's created order, just as circumcision once marked covenant membership. Historically, short hair marked prostitute priestesses in Corinth, making long hair essential for Christian women to avoid such associations. Herbert Armstrong's practical standard—a woman's wet hair reaching to cover the neck, a man's not covering it—reflects this principle without extremism, since neither total baldness (pagan) nor uncut hair (an extreme misapplication) reflects God's actual instruction. Early depictions of Christ show Him with short hair, consistent with His qualification as High Priest under God's formal order.