Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 11:16

"But if any man seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God." — 1 Corinthians 11:16 (ASV)

But if any man seem to be contentious. The sense of this passage is probably this: "If any man, any teacher, or others, is disposed to be insistent about this, or to make an issue of it; if he is inclined to question my reasoning, and to dispute my premises and the points I have presented, and to still maintain that it is proper for women to appear unveiled in public, I would add that in Judea we have no such custom, nor does it prevail in any of the churches."

This, therefore, would be a sufficient reason why it should not be done in Corinth, even if the abstract reasoning should not convince them of the impropriety. It would be unusual; would be contrary to the usual custom; would offend the sensibilities of many; and should, therefore, be avoided.

We have no such custom. We, the apostles, in the churches we have founded elsewhere; or we have no such custom in Judea. The sense is that it is contrary to custom there for women to appear in public unveiled. This custom, the apostle argues, ought to be allowed to have some influence on the church of Corinth, even though they should not be convinced by his reasoning.

Neither the churches of God. The churches elsewhere. It is customary there for the woman to appear veiled. If at Corinth this custom is not observed, it will be a departure from what has elsewhere been regarded as proper; and will offend these churches. Therefore, even if the reasoning is not sufficient to silence all objections and doubts, yet the appropriateness of uniformity in the practices of the churches, and the fear of causing offense, should lead you to discourage and disapprove of the custom of your women appearing in public without their veil.