What Does The Bible Say About Shaving Pubic Hair?
Pubic hair removal is a personal grooming choice that many people ponder today. With conflicting opinions on the matter, you may be wondering what the Bible says about shaving pubic hair.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The Bible does not directly address shaving pubic hair. However, some broader biblical principles regarding modesty, purity, and avoiding pagan practices may apply.
In this comprehensive article, we will examine relevant biblical passages, historical context, and theological perspectives to understand what the Bible teaches about shaving pubic hair.
The Bible Does Not Specifically Mention Shaving Pubic Hair
The Bible does not contain any direct references or commands regarding the shaving or removal of pubic hair. However, there are some general principles and teachings that can provide guidance on this issue:
Cleanliness and Hygiene
The Bible encourages practices that promote cleanliness and good hygiene. Shaving or trimming pubic hair can be seen as part of maintaining cleanliness in intimate areas of the body (Deuteronomy 23:12-14). However, the Bible does not mandate the specifics of how to maintain hygiene.
Modesty
The Bible calls for modesty in how we present our bodies, especially regarding sexuality (1 Timothy 2:9). Some view removing pubic hair as a way to uphold modesty and privacy in intimate relationships. However, opinions vary on whether shaving is inherently immodest.
Motivations and Heart Attitudes
More important than the specific grooming practice is the motivation behind it. Shaving to honor a spouse or feel confident can be appropriate. But doing so out of comparison or pressure from society can be unhealthy (1 Samuel 16:7).
Freedom in Christ
The New Testament affirms the believer’s freedom to make personal decisions about non-moral matters according to their conscience and cultural context (1 Corinthians 8:9, 13). Shaving pubic hair falls under this freedom.
Priorities
While pubic shaving is a personal decision, the Bible reminds us that our focus should be on developing inner beauty and godly character rather than getting caught up in external appearance (1 Peter 3:1-6).
Biblical Principles of Modesty May Apply
Covering Nakedness
The Bible encourages modesty and covering nakedness in several passages. Genesis 3:7 describes how Adam and Eve realized they were naked after eating the forbidden fruit and made coverings for themselves. Exodus 20:26 instructs altars to be made in such a way that nakedness is not exposed on steps.
Isaiah 47:3 warns of the shame of nakedness being exposed. Though these verses do not directly address pubic hair shaving, they promote the general principle of not exposing one’s nakedness.
Some Bible teachers have applied these modesty principles to practices like pubic hair removal. They argue that removing pubic hair exposes nakedness in a way God did not intend. So in keeping with biblical values of modesty, one could decide not to remove pubic hair.
Avoiding Lustful Intent
Another relevant biblical principle is avoiding intentionally stirring up lust in others. Pubic hair grooming could potentially cross this line for some people. The concern is that removing pubic hair could make one’s private areas more sexually enticing.
Matthew 5:28 says that lustfully looking at someone is equivalent to adultery of the heart. Christians are called to avoid tempting others towards lust with their bodies. So while not universally agreed upon, some Christians may avoid pubic hair removal out of concern it could promote lust.
Of course, a person’s private grooming practices alone do not cause lust in others. But some Christians prefer to err on the side of caution in not stirring up lustful desires. They may decide pubic hair removal could move in this direction for some people.
Avoiding Pagan Practices of Body Modification
Old Testament Warnings Against Following Other Gods
The Old Testament contains several warnings against following the practices of pagan religions. God commanded the Israelites not to cut or shave their bodies as acts of mourning or sacrifice to false gods (Leviticus 19:27-28).
The prophets often rebuked the Israelites for adopting rituals like tattooing, body piercing, and head shaving from the Canaanite religions around them (1 Kings 18:28). The Israelites were called to be set apart and holy, avoiding pagan mourning rituals and idolatrous worship practices.
As Christians, we can take a cue from these passages to avoid any ritual or body modification that dishonors God.
New Testament Instructions on Presenting Our Bodies to God
The New Testament also offers guidance on how we use and present our bodies. Passages like Romans 12:1 instruct us to offer our bodies as “living sacrifices” to God, pursuing His purposes rather than being conformed to the patterns of the world.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be used to glorify God. And 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 tells us to control our bodies in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion.
Though the New Testament doesn’t forbid things like pubic shaving outright, it does call us to honor God with our bodies, avoiding anything sexually immoral or pagan/idolatrous.
Cultural and Historical Context of Pubic Hair Removal
Social Norms Through History
The removal of pubic hair has been practiced in many cultures throughout history for hygienic, aesthetic, and cultural reasons. In ancient Egypt, both men and women would remove all of their body hair, including pubic hair, as a sign of cleanliness.
Ancient Greek artwork depicts women without pubic hair, suggesting this was the beauty ideal at the time. In some traditional cultures, pubic hair removal marked the transition from childhood to adulthood.
In Western cultures, the removal of pubic hair became more common in the 20th century. During the Victorian era, displaying one’s pubic hair was considered indecent. The pubic razor was patented in the 1880s, indicating interest in hair removal.
By the 1960s and 1970s, with the sexual revolution and the popularity of more revealing swimwear, pubic hair removal became more mainstream. A 2016 survey found that nearly 90% of American women reported regularly removing some or all of their pubic hair.
Modern Motivations and Methods
Today, both men and women choose to remove or trim their pubic hair for various reasons. Some do it for perceived cleanliness, comfort, or sex appeal. Athletes in sports like swimming or cycling may remove hair to improve performance.
The porn industry has also influenced bare pubic regions as the norm. Others follow religious customs of hair removal. Some simply conform to social norms of attractiveness.
Shaving remains the most common method of pubic hair removal for both sexes. Other options include waxing, depilatory creams, sugaring, laser hair removal, and electrolysis. While generally safe, shaving does carry a slight risk of cuts, irritation, and ingrown hairs.
Proper tools and technique can minimize unwanted side effects. Many prefer the longer-lasting results of professional waxing or laser treatments, despite being more painful and expensive.
In recent years, a countermovement has emerged advocating the acceptance of natural pubic hair. Critics argue that hair removal imposes unnecessary costs, pain, and risks. Organizations like “Project Bush” work to shift beauty standards away from the pressure to be bare.
Ultimately, preferences regarding pubic hair are deeply personal and shaped by a mix of culture, relationships, habits, and individual choice.
Differing Perspectives Among Christians Today
Personal Choice View
In recent decades, some Christians have adopted the view that deciding whether or not to shave pubic hair is a matter of personal choice and Christian liberty. This perspective emphasizes that the Bible does not directly prohibit or command the removal of pubic hair.
Those holding this view argue that Christians have freedom to make decisions about grooming practices based on hygiene, cultural norms, and personal preference.
Advocates of the personal choice perspective point out that maintaining proper hygiene is important. They suggest that removing pubic hair may help reduce body odor and discomfort. Some also cite peer pressure and wanting to conform to cultural beauty standards as motivations for removing pubic hair.
In the end, they say whether to shave intimate areas is up to each person’s discretion.
Christians with this view generally avoid judging others based on grooming choices. They believe pubic hair removal falls under biblically disputable matters about which Christians can respectfully disagree (Romans 14:1).
This position affirms the right of individuals to make decisions as they see fit regarding shaving pubic hair.
Principled Stance Against Removing Pubic Hair
Other Christians argue strongly against removing pubic hair based on biblical principles and natural law. Those holding this view cite Scriptures that condemn practices aimed at changing one’s natural, God-given body (Deuteronomy 22:5, 1 Corinthians 6:19).
They regard shaving or waxing pubic hair as an attempt to alter God’s design.
Advocates of this perspective also argue that removing pubic hair violates natural law and God’s intentions. They point out that pubic hair development is a natural process of maturation, signalling readiness for marital sexual intimacy.
Removing it, they say, mars the natural beauty of one’s body and signifies a rejection of God’s timing for sexual relations.
In addition, Christians against shaving pubic hair raise concerns that it caters to cultural trends and peer pressure over biblical values. They warn that succumbing to social norms about ideal genital appearance could lead down a slippery moral slope.
This view calls Christians to humbly accept their bodies as God designed them.
Those opposing pubic hair removal ultimately see it as dishonoring the Creator. They urge Christians to prayerfully reflect on biblical principles related to human sexuality and rejection of worldly influences.
This perspective stresses living counter-culturally by preserving the natural form God sovereignly determined.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible does not directly address the issue of shaving pubic hair. Principles of modesty and avoiding pagan practices may discourage the practice for some Christians. Others see it as a personal grooming choice. There are good-faith differences of opinion among believers.
As with any decision, pray for wisdom and be guided by biblical values of holiness, purity, and presenting one’s body as an act of worship to God. Act according to your conscience and consider how your choices honor God and impact others.
