| Stunning comparisons between the Long Hair and Uncut Hair positions POCKETARTICLES.org The following tables serve as a dramatic comparison among scholars as to how they defined, translated, and understood koma. As has been abundantly pointed out, koma is the original Greek word used (twice) by Paul, once in verse 14 (concerning the man) and once in verse 15 (concerning the woman). Here again is 1 Corinthians 11:14-15: “Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair [koma] it is a dishonor to him, but if a woman has long hair [koma], it is a glory to her?”. Please note: The following tables are derived from the sources I originally had at my disposal when researching this information (see CHAPTER 2: A closer look at why people believe the “Long Hair” viewpoint). Absolutely no prejudice was used as to “which sources I used in my compilation”–I used all sources I had at the time. I’m sure some of you can add your own to this list as well: PRIMARY DEFINITIONS SCHOLARS USED IN TRANSLATING KOMA (infinitive) “TO HAVE/WEAR LONG HAIR” — 8 lexicons / dictionaries “TO LET THE HAIR GROW [LONG]” — 4 lexicons / dictionaries (Can we confidently say that “length” is not a fundamental issue in this discussion?) How koma‘s infinitive was defined as either a PRIMARY or SECONDARY definition “TO HAVE/WEAR LONG HAIR” — 10 lexicons / dictionaries “TO LET THE HAIR GROW [LONG]” — 5 lexicons / dictionaries Lexicons / Dictionaries with the word “LONG” as part of the definition “LONG” IN DEFINITION — 12 lexicons / dictionaries “LONG” NOT IN DEFINITION — 0 lexicons / dictionaries How the major English translation committees TRANSLATED koma (infinitive) “TO HAVE/WEAR LONG HAIR” American Standard Version: Have long hair King James Version: Have long hair New American Standard Version: Has long hair New International Version: Has long hair New King James Version: Has long hair New Revised Standard Version: Wears long hair Revised Standard Version: Has long hair English Standard Version: Has long hair “TO LET THE HAIR GROW [LONG]” NONE Which Definition did Thayer believe was appropriate for this passage? Thayer apparently believed “length of hair” was the intended concept for this passage, meaning that he apparently agreed with all of the major Greek-English translation committees (see his comments on komē used in verse 15. There, Thayer quotes Schmidt who believed komē implied hair that was to be displayed “as an ornament” with the notion of length “secondary and SUGGESTED). So, since the hair was to be displayed, and length of hair was SUGGESTED for this passage, one may rightfully conclude Thayer apparently would have chosen part b of his primary definition for use in this passage: “[to] have long hair”—JUST AS EVERY MAJOR ENGLISH TRANSLATION ALSO CHOSE. How koma should be translated using Present Active Subjunctive “TO HAVE/WEAR LONG HAIR” “…if a woman has long hair [koma]” (All major translations conjugated koma’s PAS verb form correctly using this definition) “TO LET THE HAIR GROW [LONG]” “…if a woman lets her hair grow [long]” (No major translation used this definition in their translation) SERIOUS HARMONIZATION ISSUES (Uncut Hair Position) – Woman’s hair grows continuously ALWAYS, regardless of cutting – Man’s hair grows continuously ALWAYS, regardless of cutting – Curling irons/perms break off hair, yet are considered acceptable – Short hair is considered “long hair” for repentant women – The ‘Head Covering’ is meant as a literal symbol but is not taken literally – Man with 6″ hair is considered covered, while an unrepentant woman with 36″ hair is considered not covered – A woman must keep her hair “as long as nature will allow”; a man need not keep his hair “as short as nature will allow” – Nature doesn’t teach us that “growing hair” is a woman’s glory; however, literal “long hair” obviously is – Nazirite vow (per Septuagint) specifies BOTH long hair AND no razor to the head (see chapter 5) – ‘Shorn’ does not mean ‘trimmed,’ but radical removal of hair – Conjugation problems–no subjunctive possibility for “growing hair” – The words “Uncut Hair” are never used in the Greek or English translations – The words “Long Hair” are used in both Greek and English translations (see definitions and translations) – Paul used komē, NOT thrix, in v. 15; komē denotes hair worn ornamentally (for display). – Etc, etc, etc. What Early Christian writers believed (First 4 centuries) LONG HAIR and/or ARTIFICIAL COVERINGS NECESSARY: Tatian (~AD 165)? Irenaeus (~AD 190) Clement (~AD 200) Tertullian (~AD 210) “Constitutions of the Holy Apostles” (~ AD 200–300) Unknown Christian Writer (AD 200–300) Athanasius (~AD 340) Gregory Nazianzen (~AD 370) Ambrose (~AD 380) Chrysostom (~AD 400) Jerome (~AD 400) Augustine (~AD 415) UNCUT HAIR — NO ONE FOUND What ALEXANDER CAMPBELL apparently believed LONG HAIR and/or ARTIFICIAL COVERINGS NECESSARY — YES UNCUT HAIR — NO COMMENT FOUND CONCLUSIONS It should be readily observable that, at the VERY least, “to have long hair” is a valid, indeed COMPELLING, conclusion for an accurate meaning of this passage. So, given the amount of factual information in support of the Long Hair position, we can react a number of different ways: (a) Like the Thessalonians (1 Thess 2.13), who simply received and accepted the truth; (b) Like Nicodemus, who remained private about Jesus, apparently for fear of the Jews (but later overcame his fears—John 3); (c) Like Peter, who separated himself from the Gentile believers (Gal 2), giving them the “left hand of fellowship” (although he later changed to do the right thing); or, (d) Like the Pharisees (Matt 23.13) and Diotrephes (3 John), who not only rejected the truth, but aggressively opposed it, and those who taught it. APPENDIX A |
GOD. CHRIST. LOVE. FAITH. HOPE. TRUTH.