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In verses fourteen and fifteen, Paul makes more cultural references concerning worship. In talking about head coverings and length of hair, Paul is saying that believers should look and behave in ways that are honorable within their own culture.

In many cultures long hair on men is considered appropriate and masculine. In Corinth, it was thought to be a sign of male prostitution in the pagan temples, and women with short hair were labeled as prostitutes.

Christian women should keep their hair long. If short hair on women was a sign of prostitution, then a Christian woman would find it even more difficult to be a believable witness for Jesus Christ.

In this passage, Paul is not contradicting his initial statements in Roman 12, “do not conform to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind;” rather we, as followers of Christ, should avoid appearances and behavior that detract us from our ultimate goal of being believable witnesses for Jesus Christ while demonstrating our Christian faith.

1 Corinthians 11:14-15
14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.