The Christian Online Magazine -
How should a Christian woman dress? What is considered appropriate?
There is a propensity in the heart of every woman to seek to be attractive and appear well in the sight of others. Is this desire right or wrong?
There has been much discussion over the years concerning the proper dress for a Christian woman professing godliness. Oftentimes, the debate has become quite heated, even to the point of a split occurring because of the inability of a particular group to come to a peaceable agreement on the issue.
What does the Bible say on this matter?
In this message, we would like to examine the words of two great apostles - Paul and Peter - in order to come to a logical and Scriptural conclusion.
First of all, both apostles do not condemn women for adorning themselves, provided it is of the right kind -
1 Timothy 2:9 - "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves..."
1 Peter 3:3-4 - "Whose adorning...even the ornament of..."
The argument used here is that God's world is full of beauty and splendor. Many things which He created were not made for a specific or intended purpose, but simply for display or as an object of fascination and awe.
However, both apostles then qualify that for the Christian woman there should be a concerted and marked emphasis on the internal beauty rather than the external -
1 Timothy 2:9-10 - "...that women adorn themselves...with...not with...But...with..."
1 Peter 3:3-4 - "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of...But let it be the...even the ornament of..."
Both apostles emphasize a negative aspect of the women's attire.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 - Paul states - "...not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array."
1 Peter 3:3 - Similarly, Peter states - "...not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel."
They both address the issues of hair, jewelry, and clothing.
What are they actually teaching here?
"Broided hair" was hair braided with great care and styled in various forms according to the fashions of the day. Oftentimes, it was embellished with spangles, or silver wires and tissues which were interwoven throughout.
"Costly array" was very expensive clothing that was actually not affordable by the average woman.
"Plaiting the hair" - The women in eastern countries grew their hair very long to the extent where it hung down to the ground. They would bind it up as one lock on the back of their head and then braid it with ribbons and flexible plates of gold or silver. These plates - interwoven throughout the hair - would give off a sparkling effect in the reflection of the sun's rays. These same women would also use an ivory pin to connect the plaits or braids.
Most commentators agree that although the "broided hair" and the plaiting of the hair with gold was the common attire of lewd women, the braiding of one's hair today or the wearing of gold in itself is not wrong; whereas, the overemphasis on the external dress is.
External adorning - which absorbs the time and attention of a woman and distracts her from weightier matters such as the virtues of her own heart - is certainly wrong.
When she spends excessive time, cost, and attention on her external person at the expense of the internal, this only serves to indicate that something is definitely wrong with her spirit. If she dresses with the intent to allure and attract others of the opposite sex; if her style of clothing causes her much pride and renders her arrogant among her peers; or if her fashion of attire is immodest, wanton, sensual, and excessive - she is operating from a wrong motive and her heart is not right with God.
The apostles are not advocating a neglect of one's personal appearance.
As offensive as it might be to see excessive attention in dress, it is equally as offensive to see neglect.
Women are to be neat, clean, fit, and proper.
1 Timothy 2:9 - The Apostle Paul stated - "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel..." This means that her apparel should be becoming and appropriate for her, not gaudy or displaying excessive costliness. Her overall demeanor should indicate to all that her mind is focused on higher and more important things. She is a representative of the Kingdom of God and knows how to carry herself as such.
What should be the Christian woman's emphasis?
1 Timothy 2:9-10 - The Apostle Paul lists three very important criteria to look for -
"With shamefacedness" - This word implies using modesty in appearance and mannerisms, avoiding anything which is unbecoming or meretricious(of or relating to a prostitute) in fashion of dress.
"With...sobriety" - This refers to being sober-minded, moderate of desires and passions, modest, and decent. It implies having a disciplined mind or using moderation over dress and demeanor at all times.
"With Good Works" - These are the greatest ornaments with which a woman professing godliness should seek to be adorned. Her Master went about doing good. She, in turn, as one of His followers, should strive to do the same.
Good works - deeds expressing humility, charity, kindness, tenderness, gentleness, pity, sympathy, and deep affection - cause her to appear very attractive in the sight of all.
Titus 2:5 - She is "discreet," "chaste," and "good."
Proverbs 31:31 - "Her own works" bring praise to her among the people.
Ephesians 2:10 - She is Jesus' "workmanship," "created...unto good works."
Titus 2:14 - Therefore, she should at all times be "zealous of good works"
Titus 3:8 - ...and "careful to maintain good works..."
1 Peter 2:12 - for it is by her "good works" that she brings great glory to her King.
O Woman of God!
Are you adorning yourself with "shamefacedness," "sobriety," and "good works"?
This is where your true beauty lies!
Or have you been so caught up with your physical appearance to the extent where you have totally neglected the spiritual?
1 Peter 3:3 - The Apostle Peter adds - "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning... But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."
"Hidden man of the heart" - This is that which is concealed; it lies within. It's the inner man.
"Not corruptible" - Moths can eat away at clothing; gold can rust; the outward appearance fades in beauty. But that which pertains to the inner man is enduring.
"Ornament of a meek and quiet spirit" - This implies a calm, kind, and easy temper...
...a heart free from passion, pride, envy, irritability, fretfulness, and impatience
...a heart calm in trouble
...gentle words
...a modest and patient spirit
"In the sight of God of great price" - A meek and quiet spirit is invaluable. It is priceless.
There is no doubt about it -
We are living in a time when there is much emphasis on the external or the physical body.
But we - as Christian women - must not give way to the pressures surrounding us.
"A meek and quiet spirit" is still of great price in the sight of God.
Women professing godliness should adorn themselves with "shamefacedness," "sobriety," and "good works."
Many women nowadays are obsessed with their weight, exercise programs, and diets. They are faced - on every turn - with all types of cosmetic surgeries to revise their physical appearance. Yet they have "rattlesnake" spirits where they attack you at a moment's notice with the poison of their tongues, are super sensitive and easily offended at the slightest thing that does not go their way, and act more like pit bulls and Doberman pincers wearing lipstick. This ought not to be!
Psalm 45:13 - The Psalmist declared - "The kings' daughter is all glorious within..."
Romans 2:29 - We must at all times strive to show unto others that we have indeed been circumcised in heart and spirit...
2 Corinthians 4:16 - ...and that our "inward man is renewed day by day."
Ephesians 4:24 - Although we are not to neglect our physical appearance so as to appear slovenly dressed or unkempt, we are to display before all that we are a new person "created in righteousness and true holiness."
Our major emphasis in life should be on our eternal soul before the corruptible life of our body.
May we as Christian women rise up and make a difference in our world and demonstrate to this perverted world where true beauty can be found.
May God give us His Abounding Grace to be all that He wants us to be as godly women.
Copyright 2004 by Connie Giordano
