Paul assumes that his first-century audience will agree that it is disgraceful
for a woman to have short or shaven hair.
Some commentators have pointed to a custom that is known to have existed in Cyprus at the time, according to which adulterous women were publicly shamed by shaving their heads. On the other hand, Paul might simply be referring to the fact that short or shaven hair is typical of a man, and not of a woman. If this be the case, his point is that it is disgraceful for a woman to present herself as a man.
There may be a light jest in Paul’s words. If a woman wants to take in the position of a man, by praying or prophesying with an uncovered head, then she might as well go all the way and style her hair as if she were a man!
6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head.