THE QUERIST COLUMN

September 1, 1987 Issue
Ronny F. Wade

Question: Who are the sons of God mentioned in Gen 6:2?

Answer: The verse in question reads "That the Sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose." This verse has been subjected to a variety of interpretations. The scriptures teach that we are all of common parentage, i.e., we all are descendants of Adam and Eve. However, from the beginning to the present, some of the human race have been more faithful to God than others. It seems from this verse, that certain of Adams descendants who were more faithful to God, married women who were less faithful (described as the daughters of men). There is no evidence here, or elsewhere for that matter, of another race of people inhabiting the earth.

Question: What does the word nature mean in I Cor 11:14?

Answer: Vine defines the word in this passage as "regular order of nature." McKnight observes that the word signifies reason and experience, i.e., "doth not even reason and experience teach you, that if a man indeed have long hair, it is a disgrace to him, because it renders him in appearance like a woman."

Paul had used a series of arguments designed to show the proper role of women in relation to man, Christ, and God. As a part of his discussion he considers the head covering. He reasons that what is true of the woman is not true of the man, and vice-versa. A man is not to have long hair, for it is a shame. A woman is to have long hair, it is her glory. This is right and proper for many reasons, in fact, he says even nature (your own sense of reason) teaches you that this is the case. Women and men everywhere should beware lest they violate the teaching of this passage. It is still wrong for men to "let their hair grow". However, that is exactly what the woman is to do, "let her hair grow".