Translation
but, if a woman has long hair, it is her glory?
Go to footnote numberFor long hair was given to her as a substitute for a veil.
Paraphrase
while if a woman has long hair, it is a source of glory for her? She was given the ability to look good with long hair because it coincides with, and looks like a veil, which you understand as a sign of respect and submission.
Footnotes
1
Verse 14 and the first part of 15 are one question which asks about the accepted understanding of their cultures about the length of hair for a man and for a woman. I placed some comments after verse 14 because that is where they fit best, but doing so had the negative effect of breaking up the question.
WAS THE HAIR THE SAME AS A VEIL?
It appears that long hair was not the same as a veil, but it was similar. It was a substitute in times when the veil was not worn, such as in the home. It did not replace the use of the veil in ancient times, but it agreed with the expressed purpose of the veil. The two worked together.
IS IT WRONG FOR WOMEN TO CUT THEIR HAIR SHORT?
The answer to this question must be shaped by the culture one is in. Our culture is very different from that of Paul the Apostle. The need for respect of authority remains the same, but how we show that can change from culture to culture. It is not just the length of hair that is in view here, it is more an issue of whether or not the hair style is considered by our culture to be that of a man or of a woman. I am of the opinion that it is wrong for a woman to do anything regarding her personal appearance that makes her look just like a man. Other than that I believe there is freedom to choose as long as all other important issues, such as modesty in clothing, are also considered.