Paul instructs, "in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel." The primary meaning of the term "modest" is "orderly, well-arranged" (Vine. 3:79). Thus, some argue that the apostle is simply instructing the women to dress neatly. I cannot comprehend that the Lord would condemn a woman who would wear a baggy, though decent, dress but would exonerate a woman who parades through town in a well-fitting bikini! The simple fact is, He does no such thing. Vine gives a secondary meaning of the term "modest" as "decent," and Thayer notes that in 1 Timothy 2:9 it denotes "decently" (356). Actually, Paul describes modest apparel in the remainder of the passage, and his description is of decent dress, not simply neat clothing.

But what is "decent" dress? Rather than giving a detailed description of such clothing, the inspired writer reveals four criteria of proper dress, each of which pertains to the heart, i.e., to attitudes. To do otherwise would be to limit the application of this portion of the universal gospel to societies in which clothing was identical or essentially parallel to that worn in the first century Roman Empire. But, since Paul addresses himself to attitudes, it is apparent the application is universal.

Thus, the kind of clothing we wear is important because it reflects our hearts. It is also important in that it affects the salvation of others.

Modest dress is "with propriety." The American Standard Version correctly renders this "shamefastness." Both Vine (4:17) and Thayer (14) define it as "a sense of shame." Trench explains it to be that sense of shame

which shrinks from overpassing the limits of womanly reserve and modesty, as well as from the dishonour which would justly attach thereto (71-72).

A woman who dresses "with propriety" is directed by a sense of shame rooted "fast" in her character that prevents her from dressing shamefully.

What, then, is "shameful" dress? Nakedness! (Revelation 3:18) But, who would go naked, other than nudists? Let's see.

When Adam and Eve ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, "they knew that they were naked" (Genesis 3:7). They "sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings" (Ibid). This term "coverings" means a "girdle, loin-covering" (Gesenius. 292). They had on something like a modern, man’s swim suit. When God came walking in the garden, Adam hid, for he was afraid, since he "was naked" (Genesis 3:10). While scantily clothed, the man was still naked, both in his own eyes and in God’s (Genesis 3:11). God "clothed them" by giving them "tunics of skin" (Genesis 3:21). Such garments are "generally with sleeves, to the knees, but seldom to the ancles (sic)" (Wilson. 81). While scantily clothed, the first pair was still naked. That was shameful, immodest. God clothed both the man and the woman with garments that covered them. They were no longer naked. Thus, the Lord revealed a divine standard for decent dress.

Does this mean one must wear a garment all the way to the knees, completely covering the thigh, to be modest? Not necessarily, although it’s a good idea, but it certainly indicates that modern swimsuits, see-through clothing, skin-tight clothing, and whatever else indecently exposes the body are shameful.

But "licentiousness" (Galatians 5:19), one of the "works of the flesh" which will bar one from heaven (verses 19-21), is "unbridled lust, excess ... outrageousness, shamelessness" (Thayer. 79). This principle applies to men as well as to women. Thus, for a man to dress shamelessly is licentious and sinful. Godly men will not display their scantily clothed bodies before the public either. Men, put on your shirts!

The second term descriptive of modest dress is "moderation." Trench explains the term thus:

it is properly the condition of an entire command over the passions and desires, so that they receive no further allowance than that which the law and right reason admit and approve.... that habitual inner self-government, with its constant rein on all the passions and desires (70,72).

Arndt and Gingrich define the word, "good judgment, moderation, self control.... Esp. as a feminine virtue decency, chastity" (810).

Vine simply renders it "sound judgment" (4:44).

The apostle instructs the aged women to teach the younger "to be discreet" (Titus 2:5). This is from the same root as the word "moderation" in First Timothy 2:9. Girls and young women, if you want to exhibit sound judgment and decency in your dress, consult with godly, older women in the church. Older women, teach the younger, by both example and word, what such dress is.

Not With Braided Hair or Gold or Pearls or Costly Clothing

The third description of proper dress is negative: "not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing." Does the inspired apostle forbid women to wear braids in their hair, jewelry, or costly clothing? The "virtuous wife" (Proverbs 31:10) dressed in "fine linen and purple" (Proverbs 31:22). The apostle Peter, in language parallel to Paul’s, exhorts women, "Do not let your beauty be that outward adorning of arranging the hair, of wearing gold, or of putting on fine apparel" (1 Peter 3:3). "Fine" is italicized, an addition of the translators. If we take Simon Peter literally, it is a sin for a woman to put on any clothes! Obviously Peter is using a common Jewish figure of speech, the denial of the lesser to emphasize the greater (cf. John 6:27). Women of Roman society, as women today, were prone to wear elaborate and expensive hairdos, even to the point of braiding the hair with gold or silver strands or lacing it with gold, silver, or jewels; to dress in outlandish, expensive clothing in order to draw attention to themselves and to their wealth; and to wear expensive jewelry. Sounds like Hollywood, doesn’t it? The apostles simply teach women to place the emphasis where it belongs, on the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:4).

One financially struggling young couple dear to us left a congregation partly because they felt out of place in their drab clothing compared to the expensive clothing and fancy furs sported by others. Some are so conscious of wearing the latest styles with the right labels that they spend exorbitant sums of money, money that could be better used, on unneeded clothing. This excess leads to covetousness (the greedy desire for gain), shames those who cannot afford to so dress, and advertises the vanity of those decked out in such a fashion. Don’t place the emphasis on fancy coiffures, designer labels, and costly jewelry that just manifest carnality. Spend your time (and save your money) developing godly character, true inward beauty, which is beautiful to God and godly people and which grows more lovely rather than less so with advancing age. The "hidden person of the heart" doesn’t develop wrinkles, age spots, crows feet, and saggy skin!

The term "godliness" in 1 Timothy 2:10 is from a term which denotes "the fear or reverence of God" (Vine. 2:162). The Scriptures mention two types of dress for women. Paul admonishes women to wear clothing "which is proper for women professing godliness." Solomon describes the "immoral woman," "the seductress," who wears "the attire of a harlot" (Proverbs 7:5,10). Mary Quant, the London fashion designer who introduced the mini-skirt, brazenly admitted, "Mini-skirts are symbolic of those girls who want to seduce a man." When I was in South Africa, Brother Les Maydell pointed out to me some young women standing by the road dressed in tight fighting, revealing clothing. He said they were prostitutes. Other women were standing nearby waiting for public transportation. They were dressed very modestly in long, loose fitting clothing. At one glance a passerby could tell which were advertising their availability and which were concerned about their reputation. Women, girls, is your clothing "proper for women professing godliness" or "the attire of a harlot"?

Allow me to suggest some questions which should help you answer.

(1) Would you want Christ to see you so dressed? By the way, if you don’t want the other Christians to see you that way, you ought to know the answer. If you’re constantly tugging at your blouse or skirt to try to cause it to be less revealing, why are you wearing it to begin with?

(2) Does your clothing cause good men to be tempted to lust? (cf. Matthew 5:27-28; 18:6-7; 2 Samuel 11)

(3) Does the way you dress hinder your influence? (Matthew 5:16)

(4) Could you talk to someone else about immodest clothing dressed the way you are? (Romans 2:21)

Please be honest with yourself in answering these questions.

Christians do not have to dress as Muslims in order to please God. In fact, we are not to show off our religion in our clothing (Matthew 23:5; Thus, please leave off the shirts with religious messages.). But, God does have a standard for our clothing. He wants us to exercise a sense of shame that shrinks from exposing our nakedness; to show sound judgment and decency; to avoid an over emphasis on the outward person shown by gaudy, expensive clothing, hairdos, and jewelry; and to dress in such a way that we exhibit godly character, not immorality. He does not want women or men to tempt the opposite sex to lust by their clothing or lack thereof.

Does your clothing reflect godly character, or does it cause others to stumble and bring shame upon the church? So dress that the reflection of godliness will draw others to Christ.

Arndt, F.W. and W.F. Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs-Gesenius, Hebrew and English Lexicon.

Thayer, J.H., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.

Trench, R.C., Synonyms of the New Testament.

Vine, W.E., Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.

Wilson, William., Old Testament Word Studies