HOW SHOULD WE DRESS?

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with
shamefacedness and sobriety . . . But (which becometh women professing
godliness) with good works"
(1 Timothy 2:9, 10).

If you have just read the above Scripture, you may wonder what it is talking about. The King James version uses words that we have never heard of today. They sound as though they come from another world. Well, perhaps they are from a different world in which we are living today. However, don’t get too dismayed. Come with me and let’s find out what they really mean.

I could have used a more modern translation, but I thought we’d start with the original and go from there.

I believe the Bible is our guideline for every aspect of life, even for what we wear. This Scripture gives us three guidelines:

1. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES MODESTLY

The Greek word for modest is kosmios and means to act in an orderly manner and behave well. Did you know that this word is only used one other time in the Bible? This time it refers to the character of a man who aspires to be an elder (1 Timothy 3:2) and is translated “good behavior.” A woman who dresses modestly understands what is right and doesn’t go beyond her conscience.

2. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES REVERENTLY

The word in the King James version is “shamefacedness.” No one uses this word today, so we better find out what it really means. The Greek word is aidos and means “downcast eyes, bashfulness, modesty, reverence.” Help! Does anyone have this attitude today?

One commentary says the word should be translated as “shamefastness.” In other words, we stand fast against bringing any shame or dishonor to God, to our husband, to our womanly nature, or to the people of God. Once again, this word is used only one other time in the Bible where it relates to both men and women. It is found in Hebrews 5:9 where it tells us to “serve God acceptably with reverence (aidos) and godly fear.” This relates to the behavior of both men and women.

3. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES APPROPRIATELY

I am a great believer in wearing what is appropriate for the appropriate occasion. The context of 1 Timothy 2:9 is the gathering together of the saints. It’s not talking about the beach or the bedroom. It is talking about meeting with the people of God. We don’t wear clothes to church or a prayer meeting that we would wear to the beach or out hiking. We must wear what is appropriate.

The word for apparel in this Scripture is katastole meaning “a lowering, a garment let down.” Most commentators say that it was a long dress. Remember, this is talking about clothing in the church, not playing volleyball. And yet many today come to church in jeans with holes and even shorts! Other translations say:

NLT: “Wear decent and appropriate clothing.”

God’s Word: “I want women to show their beauty by dressing in appropriate clothes that are modest and respectable.”

ESV: “Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel.”

Robert Spinney, professor at Patrick Henry College in Virginia says that many men ask the question: “Why can’t we have at least one haven from tight clothing, cleavage, bare shoulders, and short skirts? Why can’t people be sure to dress modestly when they attend church meetings? I expect to be tempted by scandalous clothing when I go to a college campus, but God’s people shouldn’t have to face that kind of temptation at church services. Can’t Christians be more considerate of others?”

4. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES WITH SELF CONTROL

The King James Version uses another old word, sobriety. It’s the Greek word sophrosune and means “soundness of mind, self-control, soberness, well-balanced state of mind arising from habitual self-restraint, safe-and-sound mindedness, sensibleness, and sound judgment.”

A sound godly mind knows that cleavage, bare shoulders, short skirts, and showing too much of the body is not appropriate clothing for public worship or even anywhere outside the home.

Let’s walk in the fear of God, serving Him and the body of Christ with reverence. Hebrews 12:29 says: “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

Dear Father, please forgive me for wearing that which is dishonoring to You. You were the first clothes designer and You made clothes to cover the body. You want me to cover my flesh, not to uncover. Please help me to be faithful to teach my children how You want them to dress rather than how the world wants them to dress. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

In each different situation I dress to bring glory to God.