Why did Paul say 'we have no such custom, neither the churches of God' in 1 Corinthians 11:16?
Paul was tempering contentious believers' attitudes about appearance, specifically haircuts associated with prostitutes versus Roman citizens. By declaring there is no such custom in the churches of God, he urged them to avoid conduct that would make the outside world view the church as a bunch of kooks.
Les teaches that this verse follows his emphasis on God being a God of order, seen in Israel's orderly camp movements, prescribed temple worship, and the orderly resurrection where every man is in his own order. Paul then addresses the contentious man and says, 'we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.' Les explains that Paul is tempering the attitude of these people concerning the haircuts of the prostitutes compared to the haircuts of the Roman citizenry. He sums it up by saying believers should not do anything that makes the outside world think the church is a bunch of kooks.
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
More Questions
What does it mean in 1 Corinthians 11:16 that if any man seem to be contentious we have no such custom?
In 1 Corinthians 11:16, 'if any man seem to be contentious' means a man who is always causing problems and always differing, and Paul says we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.