There is no doubt that we are living in a loose and
lascivious age. Immodesty is ever
prevalent on our streets, in the movies, on television, and is slowly creeping
into the churches of Christ. It is no
secret to anyone that the morals of this country have steadily deteriorated
during the past century. One only needs
to look at a picture album of their grandparents to notice a disturbing change
in the dressing and undressing of today's population. This change began with the equal rights movement for women, and
exploded into the sexual revolution, which has evolved into the perversion and
permissiveness that is common in today's society. With parents, as well as children, absorbing and engaging in this
debauchery, the morals of this nation have all but evaporated! Modest apparel is one of those subjects that
needs to be taught often by all of God's teachers and preachers. No teacher can point out what the Bible says
on the matter of modest apparel without being aware of opening himself up for
criticism. However, since modest
apparel is a Bible subject, and since God has given us, "all things
that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Pet.1:3), let us study God's
instructions concerning modest attire for the Christian.
The first mention of clothes in the Old Testament was
with Adam and Eve, (Gen. 3:7-11). After
they had sinned, they tried to clothe themselves with aprons made of fig
leaves. Evidently God was not pleased
with the brevity of the coverings because God made “coats of skins, and
clothed them” (Gen.3:21).
Although we are no longer under the law of the Old
Testament, it is to be used for “our learning” (Rom.15:4). Men and women were to be distinguished
from each other. “The woman shall
not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's
garment: for all that do so are abomination
unto the Lord thy God” (Deut.22:5).
In the New Testament, “effeminacy” is condemned (cf.
1 Cor.6:9). “Effeminate” means
“soft to the touch...a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness”
(Thayer); “having marked womanlike traits of character” (Webster). Thus, men must avoid women’s traits (women’s
clothing, long hair, etc.), and women must avoid men’s traits (men’s clothing,
short hair, etc.).
To the question before us, “What is modest
apparel?” I do not propose some easy answer or specific rule such
as, “no higher than the knee.” To do so
would be going beyond what the Bible actually states. Rather, I encourage prayerful
consideration of what the Bible has to say, which provides Divine principles
that can help one discern between good and evil. Bear in mind that the principles which apply to women
regarding modest apparel, also apply to men.
It is obvious that God would know that the clothing styles would change
down through the centuries, so at some point there needs to be a line where it
is a shame to cross. It is our
intention to determine God’s standard of dress for the Christian by a careful
consideration of the Divine principles.
If our clothing is not in accord with these Divine principles, we sin
whether we have evil intentions or not.
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves
in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or
gold or pearls, or costly array. But
(which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
“Modest” (kosmio) “Orderly, well
arranged, decent, modest” - (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).
“The well-ordering is not of dress and demeanor only,
but of the inner life, uttering in deed and expressing itself in the outward
conversation” - (Trench).
In context, this word applies not so much to brevity
of clothing, but to gaudiness of clothing. Our choice of apparel is an outward sign of an inward chastity or
purity. Modest dress is important for
it is a reflection of the heart.
The Bible shows that our attitude will direct how we dress.
Christian men and women are to behave a
certain way because they are Christians.
Modesty is part of that behavior.
The concept of modesty is one that must be taught,
but it will not be comprehended until the mind is trained in shame and
self-control.
“Apparel” (katastole)
“1) a lowering, a letting down; 2) a garment let down, dress, attire” –
(Thayer)
“…connected with katastello, to send or let
down, to lower (kata, down, stello, to send), was primarily a
garment let down; hence, dress, attire, in general (cp. stole, a loose
outer garment worn by kings and persons of rank, - Eng., stole); 1 Tim.2:9,
‘apparel’” – (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).
This word emerges from the Divine pen of the apostle
Paul solely in this passage, and reveals a great deal concerning the attire of
Christian women. Most Christians have
no difficulty understanding the principle of exclusion, i.e., when a
particular thing is specified, all else is excluded: e.g., all other
types of wood were excluded in the construction of the ark because God specified
gopher wood (Gen.6:14).
Likewise, it is no strain on the mind to comprehend that when God
(through Paul) specified the heart as the instrument of the
Christian’s melody (Eph.5:19), that all types of mechanical instruments are
excluded and forbidden with no expiration date; therefore, it should come as no
shock that God has specified by the definitive use of the feminine
noun katastole, a loose garment let down in which the Christian
woman is to be attired, and since God has specified this loose garment let
down, then britches, shorts, halter tops, bathing suits, etc., are
excluded. For the woman to dress in a katastole
is to be dressed modestly; to be dressed otherwise is immodest, i.e., out of
order, no matter what the century, culture or fashion!
“A person was said to be ‘naked’ (gumnos),
whether he was without clothing, or had thrown off his outer garment…and was
clad in a light undergarment, as was the case with Peter, in John 21:7,”
(Vine’s).
“And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young
man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment;
and they were affrighted” (Mark 16:5).
“Garment” (stole) “denotes any stately robe, a long
garment reaching to the feet…” (Vine’s).
Fellow Christians, this is New Testament
teaching, and it needs to be comprehended, taught and practiced among us all!
“Shamefacedness” (aidos) “A sense of shame, modesty, is used
regarding the demeanor of women in the church” - (Vine’s).
This word applies more to the issue of brevity
of clothing. The Israelites in
Jeremiah’s time were at the point where they could not be ashamed or blush,
(Jer.6:15). “Shamefacedness” literally
means “with downcast eyes” with the idea of bashfulness, and is the opposite of
the abominable “proud look” (Prov.6:17) which God hates! Clothing which exposes too much of one’s
body or draws attention to the contours of the body should cause shame and
blushing. Our young children need to be
taught at an early age what is shameful and what is not; otherwise, they
will not be ashamed to wear immodest clothing.
All too often, members of the church see no wrong in dressing young
children in shorts, or short dresses that expose the legs, and reason that
because the children are ‘innocent’ that it’s all right. When the child is innocent is the only
logical time to, “... bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord” (Eph.6:4).
“Sobriety” (sophrosune)
“Denotes soundness of mind, soberness, ‘sound judgment’ practically
expresses the meaning” - (Vine’s).
“It is that habitual inner self-government, with its
constant rein on all the passions and desires, which would hinder the
temptation to these from arising...” - (Trench)
Aged women are to teach the younger women to “be
discreet” (Titus 2:5), which has the same meaning, i.e.,
“sound mind and self-control.” The
Bible clearly teaches that Christians are to have a sound mind and use
good judgment when choosing apparel. By
exercising good judgment, one will take into consideration the effect their
apparel has on another.
Women in Roman society were prone to wear elaborate
and expensive hairdos, even braiding the hair with gold or silver strands, or
lacing with gold, silver, or jewels; to dress in outlandish, expensive clothes
in order to draw attention to themselves and to their wealth. This manner of attire is clearly condemned
by the apostle Paul in this passage.
Let us also consider Peter’s writings on this subject.
“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own
husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won
by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation
coupled with fear. Whose adorning let
it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold,
or of putting on of apparel; 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.
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted
in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even
as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as
ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement” (1 Pet.3:1-6).
It is this passage that is much abused by the
religious world today, and sadly, by many members of Christ’s church as
well. Common sense should tell anyone,
that to suggest this passage means a person can, or is to wear
whatever is appropriate for the occasion, cannot possibly be the Holy Spirit’s
intent. If it were, then for example, a
person who stumbled upon a nudist colony could take off all his
clothes! Both Paul and Peter simply
taught women to place the emphasis where it belongs: On the hidden person of the heart (1 Pet.3:4); and on good works
(1 Tim.2:10). By placing emphasis on
designer labels, the latest fashion, gaudy jewelry, makeup, or fancy hairdos, a
Christian detracts from true inward beauty which is beautiful to God. Notice that Peter said that husbands would
be won by their wives’ meek and quiet spirit, not by profligate
accessories. Jesus condemned the
Pharisees because they would, “make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge
the borders of their garments...,” and why did they do this? “But all their works they do for to be
seen of men” (Mt.23:5)!
The only reason anyone wears outlandish clothing, excessive makeup, wild
hairstyles, or needless jewelry is to embellish their character, and entice the
gaze of others.
Sarah, as well as other Old Testament wives exhibited
the inner beauty of a meek and quiet spirit.
It is in this passage that the Holy Spirit infuses the Old
Testament principles of modest attire with the law of Christ. The first Christians’ concept of modesty was
of necessity based upon the principles taught in the Old Testament, and the
apostles exhorted them to continue dressing in the manner they were already
were familiar with, i.e., in a decent and orderly (modest) manner: the men
wearing men’s clothing, and the women not wearing men’s clothing. For Sarah to have put on a man’s garment
would have been an abomination in the sight of God, just as if Abraham had put
on a woman’s garment! The man’s garment
(britches, Exo.28:42,43) is not to be worn by women today, just as
Abraham’s clothing was not to be worn by Sarah in her day. To do so is to be out of order! Can you imagine Sarah dressed in a pair of
tight britches, or perhaps a pair of shorts and a skimpy top?...... Why?!
In Exo.28:42, God instructed that the priests were to
make an undergarment (to be worn under their robe), that would cover from their
waist to the knee, and this was, “to cover their nakedness,” and yet
many of today’s parents will appear in public wearing shorts that barely
cover the hip.
After gazing upon a woman with scanty dress, gaudy
accessories, and outlandish hair and makeup, could it be truthfully said, “There
is a Christian lady, one with a meek and quiet spirit”?? It is discouraging and embarrassing to see
women, who profess godliness, attend the worship services dressed in seductive
garments that reveal portions of the breasts, abdomen, back and shoulders, thin
skirts that ride up several inches above the knee when sitting, and shorn hair
(1 Cor.11:5,6,15). Does the inner
beauty which God desires express this kind of outward adorning?
“We know
from secular history that various movements of women’s liberation and feminism
appeared in the Roman empire during New Testament times. Women would often take
off their veils or other head coverings and cut their hair in order to look
like men. Much as in our own day, some women were demanding to be treated exactly
like men and they attacked marriage and the raising of children as unjust
restrictions of their rights. They asserted their independence by leaving their
husbands and homes, refusing to care for their children, living with other men,
demanding jobs traditionally held by men, wearing men’s clothing and hairdos,
and by discarding all signs of femininity” (MacArthur).
Opponents often counter with the argument that one’s
outward appearance is not significant, but rather the inside of a person is
what is important.
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil,
speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaketh. A good man out of the good
treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the
evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Mt.12:34,35).
It is evident when talking with a man the kind
of person he really is. The same is
true with the apparel one chooses to wear: clothing is an expression of the
demeanor, the attitude, and where the treasure of the heart really is. Gaudy jewelry, excessive makeup, etc., is a
definite sign that the heart is misplaced!
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”
(Mt.6:21).
“Professing godliness” (theosebeia) “Denotes fear or reverence to God; God-fearing” –
(Vine’s)
Prov. 7:6-27 describes “the attire of a
harlot,” the intention of such attire, and where it leads (verse
27)! This woman is everything a godly
woman is not. The attire of a godly
woman is not seductive. “But I say
unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed
adultery with her already in his heart” (Mt.5:27). Godly dress is one of the ways to let our
lights shine (Mt.5:16). Christians who
“profess godliness” must be willing to submit in self-control and
shamefacedness. Remember, “...ye are
not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your
body, and in your spirit, which are God's” (1 Cor.6:19,20). We as Christians are to bring praise and
glory to God in all that we do (Col.3:17), and knowing that our bodies belong
to God, we cannot bring glory to God by dressing immodestly.
1. Would you want Christ to see you as you are
dressed? Would you be comfortable
wearing it if Jesus came to visit?
2. Does the way you dress hinder your influence as a
Christian? Might it lay a stumbling
block in someone's way? (Rom.14:13)
3. Is my
clothing chaste, modest, and godly?
4. Does your choice of clothing bring shame or
embarrassment to the church?
5. Do you wear clothing in public places that you
would be ashamed to wear to church?
6. Will your
apparel cause another to gawk, or lust?
7. Could you
teach another concerning immodest clothing dressed the way you are? (Rom.2:21)
8. Is it doubtful? Rom.14:23 states that if it is not of faith
it is sin. If we have any doubts about
wearing it or have doubts as to how it would be received, then the safe route
is not to wear it.
9. Are you convicted by your conscience to pull and
tug at your dress because it reveals too much leg?
10. Would you visit the establishments advertised on
your clothing?
11. Would Jesus appear in public dressed the way you
are dressed?
12. Can you say that you are dressed the way you are
“in the name of the Lord?” (Col.3:17)
13. Does you attire glorify God?
14. How long could a poor saint’s needs be met with
the value of your accessories?
When dealing with the subject of “Modest Apparel” we
often hear the following responses:
“It’s the fashion; everyone else is wearing them.”
Christians are constantly warned of worldliness:
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect
will of God” (Rom.12:2). The word
“conformed” means, “do not live according to the style or manner of this
present age.” The apostle John says, “Love
not the world, neither the things that are in the world, If any man love the
world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn.2:15).
“It's so hard, especially for teenagers, not to ‘fit
in’ with the crowd.”
Christians are never permitted to “fit in” with a
worldly crowd. Paul, in 2 Cor.6:17,18
admonishes, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And
will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the
Lord Almighty.”
It is a shame when our young women can’t be readily
distinguished from our young men. May
God help us as Christians today and members of the body of Christ to separate
ourselves from the world in appearance and apparel; in fashion and
fellowship. How much of the world’s
baggage can we hang on to and still be pleasing to God? It would be good, not only for our
adolescents, but for every Christian to examine their appearance in the light
of God’s word, and apply the Divine principles of modesty taught therein.
“It’s appropriate to wear certain styles of dress
outside the church.”
“These
things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may
know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church
of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Tim. 3:14-15 NKJV)
What is the house of God? It is the family of God, the church in the general sense and not
the church building. When is a
Christian in the house of God? At all
times! Paul is saying there is a code
of conduct in God’s family at all times.
We are not to behave godly on days of worship and ungodly through the
week. The Christian is to behave
appropriately at all times, which includes how we dress. We should not dress one way on Sunday, and
then feel free to undress the rest of the week.
“Some garments, such as women’s’ pants, are
appropriate because they are designed for women.”
If the man’s garment is appropriate on a woman simply
because some are designed for her, then by the same reasoning, a man could wear
dresses and bloomers designed for him!
“What may be modest in one country may not be in
another and vice versa.”
Men of any country aren’t much different from each
other---i.e., they all know what parts of the body are sexually
appealing.
“The weather calls for it - - it’s more comfortable.”
Does the Bible permit us to undress simply because it
would be more comfortable. If it’s
decent at the public swimming pool or beach, then it would be decent in the
worship services. The Bible reveals no
such limitations. Remember, we are the
house of God even when we are not in the church building! For one to be fully dressed in the assembly
on the Lord's day, and then found on the beach Monday morning dressed in a
skimpy bathing suit, cannot be pleasing to God, and is hypocritical.
To further solidify the Divine principle of modesty,
consider how our Lord was clothed when the apostle John viewed Him in
the Heavenly vision recorded in Rev.1:13: “And in the midst of the seven
candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the
foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.” This should leave no doubt in the mind of
any honest Christian about modesty! (cf. Mk.16:5). Since our Lord was dressed in a garment “down to the foot” in an
environment where there is no lust or sexual perversion, shouldn’t that teach
us to use extreme care when choosing the apparel in which we
emerge in a society obsessed with promoting sexual attraction?
In conclusion, when faced with the question “What
is modest apparel?” may you prayerfully consider whether your adornment augments
your profession of godliness, and the principles taught in God’s word. Also, seek counsel from those who are mature
in the faith, whose senses have been exercised to discern good and evil.
“That
ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst
of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world”
(Phil.2:15).
The remedy for immodest apparel calls for parents to instruct their young children why their clothing must be modest, and demonstrate what modesty is by their example. When parents say one thing, and do otherwise, it is only confusing to the children. Conflicting examples and statements only create disrespect for both man and God. We as parents, must first set the example by dressing in modest attire, and teach our children by dressing them in modest apparel as well.