1 Timothy 2 Pt. 4 God's Order For Women's Clothing And Conduct

Paul addressed how Christian men should pray and the Spirit of God guided the apostle to give similar guidance for Christian women.

Modest apparel for women because this pleases God. 

1 Timothy 2:9-10  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; 10)  But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 

Paul gives a specific charge to Christian women. A woman young or old, who professes faith in Christ, should wear modest apparel.

The word "modest" means restrained from something that is not excessive, too extravagant or extreme. 

It has the idea of modest clothing, as opposed to the strange women who seek to seduce a man by wearing clothes that inflame his passions. 

From ancient cultures to modern times, excessive styles are promoted. They often accentuate the body by exposing it rather than covering it. 

King Solomon warned his son against the "strange woman."

Proverbs 7:9-20  In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: 10)  And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. 11)  (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12)  Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13)  So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 14)  I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. 15)  Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16 ) I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17)  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18)  Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. 19)  For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20)  He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. 

The attire of a harlot is the opposite of what Christian women should wear. The harlot's attire exposes her body in order to seduce a man. She uses perfume, jewelry and lavish hair styles in order to entice them. 

Thus, the idea of modest apparel is that the woman wears clothing that does not incite lust in any man, because this is pleasing to God.  

The word "shamefacedness" means being bashful rather than forward, when it comes to clothing and attitude toward others. 

"Shamefacedness" has the concept of reverence to God and other Christians.  A Christian woman remembers that she is accountable to God for her actions, and seeks to avoid any impropriety. 

A Christian woman is aware that she has a duty to be modest out of consideration for men whom she may encounter, because men are visually stimulated. 

The apostle emphasizes that extravagant hair styles, jewelry that garners attention from others, or expensive clothing, should be avoided by Christian women. 

Good works and a humble heart are the marks of true beauty in any Christian woman. 

A meek and quiet spirit in a Christian wife is of great value to God. 

1 Peter 3:1-4  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; 2)  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3)  Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4)  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. 

The apostle Peter also spoke about a woman's need to be modestly attired. 

A woman with a pure heart and a renewed mind, is of far greater beauty than a woman wearing expensive, immodest clothing, lavish jewelry or elaborate hair styles.  

Women professing godliness should, in their dress and outward appearance, act as becomes their profession. 

Instead of spending money on fine clothes, it is better to use funds for works of piety and charity, that benefit and bless others, rather than consuming it on self.

Christian women must learn truth and submit as God intends.

1 Timothy 2:11-15  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12)  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13)  For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14)  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15)  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. 

God expects all believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Men and women must learn divine truth. 

However, God prohibits women from teaching or usurping authority that belongs to men. This means that women should not function as pastors, elders, deacons, or lay leaders. 

God reserved these roles for men, not because they are superior, but because He deems it best.

1 Corinthians 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 

1 Corinthians 14:33-35  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 34)  Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35)  And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 

God defines the proper role for either gender, and men are to be leaders in their home, practically and spiritually. 

Confusion will erupt in Christ's church when a woman seeks to usurp authority over her husband, or attempts to teach others about the things of God.

God is not the Author of confusion. He does all things decently and in order. We must follow the order that He has proscribed. 

A Christian wife is her husband's supporter and encourager. Children are to be taught to obey their parents because God says this is right. 

Ephesians 5:22 through 6:4 is an extended delineation of husbands, wives and children's responsibilities to each other and to God. 

{There are many passages of scripture that speak to these wonderful relationships, but we cannot delve into them in this post.}

Acts 18:26  And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 

A Christian woman may teach but not in a public manner. When Aquila and Priscilla encountered young Apollos, they were mature Christians. 

They saw that Apollos had great potential as a pastor, but he needed further grounding in the doctrines of the Christian faith. Therefore, they took him into their home, and  helped Apollos grasp the way of God far better than his previous understanding. 

Both Aquila and Priscilla expounded gospel truth to Apollos, so there is a place for Christian women to give spiritual truths to others. In church, however, she must wait until she gets home to ask questions of her husband.

Now, we may wonder why God would order things in this manner. He gives a very clear reason for this, through the apostle Paul.

God made Adam first, because the husband is the head of his wife, and Christ is the head of the husband. This is the divine order. 

Furthermore, Adam was not deceived by the serpent's rhetoric in the garden. Eve was deceived, and she chose to ignore God's command and satisfy the lust of her mind to be like God. 

A Christian woman is therefore, to pursue and maintain a vibrant faith in Christ, an unconditional love for God and others, and holiness. Her attitude of heart is marked by reverence for God and submission to His will. 

This is the idea behind modest apparel for women. It is an outward indicator of a heart within that is submitting to God's authority in her life. 

Paul has specifically addressed Christian women and Christian wives in these texts. Men also have been given specific instruction from God about how we are to live in relation to our wives. 

God's order for the home and His church, is always best, always flawless. Let each of us learn what He expects from us, and then seek to live out these truths, by giving our energies and attention to them.

Bob