I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
Summary: As we continue to examine Paul’s words, certain themes start to emerge that draw us back to the Ten Commandments.
In Part I, we examined the possibility that God intended this passage to be in the Bible. If God is perfect, then it is unlikely he made a mistake. Discounting what God tells us would likely be a mistake.
So, given that God has put these words in the Bible, the next question is, “Why?” Why did he include this passage, and what does he want us to learn from it?
Paul has set up a dichotomy of sorts.
On the one hand, we have “women who profess to worship God.” On the other hand, presumably, there are women who don’t profess to worship God. Women who profess to worship God “dress modestly, with decency and propriety.” Women who do not profess to worship God indulge in “elaborate hairstyles,” gold, pearls, and expensive clothes. Women who profess to worship God are known by their “good deeds.” Women who do not profess to worship God are not known for good deeds.
Does this make sense?
Paul is painting a picture of a godly woman. It is almost as if he were warning women who are believers to avoid the trap of vanity.
Do men fall into the same trap?
Of course! This is why God is so blunt about his priorities. His first Commandment is:
“You shall have no other gods before me.” (Deuteronomy 5:7)
Then he goes on to say:
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…” (Deuteronomy 5:8-9a)
Remember Narcissus? He was the one who fell in love with his own image. He became so obsessed with his beauty that he was unable to leave his own reflection. He died worshipping his own image.
Vanity is a harsh master. Paul’s words might sound a bit harsh, too, but they are words that lead to eternal life.
Application: Always put God first in everything.
Food for Thought: Given what Paul has written here, who decides what is appropriate for women to wear, and why?
Everything in me says, “Don’t answer this, it is a trap.”
But I am not that smart, so I’ll give an answer.
If Jesus is their Lord, then they keep his will and glory in mind when they choose what they are going to wear. Of course, that is true for all of us.
I had the same feeling brother. 🙂
Thank you, Brother, for your outstanding display of courage! 🙂
And yes, it is so important to remember that biblical principles apply to all believers (Well — everyone else, too).
Given what Paul has written here, he is expressing that he wants the outward appearance to match the inner condition of a woman’s heart. And a woman who professes to worship God would not want to draw attention to herself, but rather let her life speak Christ to those around her, so that the “attention” goes to Christ living within her. This statement is true for men.
And so we now get into the conundrum of who decides what is and what is not “appropriate.” I believe Paul is speaking to three components of the decision. He speaks about the internal moral guidance that the Lord has given to all people: modestly, decency and propriety. I believe all people know in their hearts what this looks like and either follow the conscience God has given them or choose to rebel against it. Secondly, Paul speaks to the intent of the heart: what kind of attention does one seek? Who is one trying to glorify in their appearance? Thirdly, and this is by implication, Paul speaks up about what he wants in our appearance, and his desire is for us to live a life pleasing to God and that glorifies Him. So then “appropriateness” becomes a matter of building up each other in love. Some people do need to hear if they are seeking the wrong attention, and if they refuse to accept it, to then not give them that attention. And if the attention they seek becomes disruptive, to ask them to seek attention elsewhere, or withdraw ourselves.
This passage does not address outward appearances directly, but I believe it is good guidance on how we should deal with each other, and this includes our outward appearance.
1 Thessalonians 5:15-22
15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Thank you, Chris.
I like your analysis of “who decides.” If we have a problem with this passage today it is because, over the years, there have been too many people willing to step up and decide for others what “appropriate” means.