It Starts Small

⁹ Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel, ¹⁰ but with good works, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

1 Timothy 2:9-10

the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing

If Paul were alive today, I can only imagine the fervent words he would pour onto the page! The world has plummeted at an alarming pace. This is particularly true for the virtue of modesty. This value seems to have faded into obscurity. Modesty is more than just an outer appearance.

Modesty definition: Behavior, manner, or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency.

Remember, this passage is focused on believers. Godly women should embrace a spirit of modesty in their dress. They should radiate their devotion and give glory to God through their appearance. We are called not to lead others astray (Romans 14:13-23). This passage urges women to dress in a way that does not draw unnecessary attention. It also advises them to avoid tempting our brothers. Yet, let us celebrate that God designed the beauty of intimacy to flourish within marriage. A wife can and should dress in ways that ignite passion and allure her husband in those private moments. However, to dress seductively in public, flaunting one’s assets, does not honor our Creator’s intentions.

This does not imply that the entire weight of responsibility rests solely on the woman. A woman may adorn herself in the most impeccably modest attire. Yet, some lustful men might still be tempted to harbor impure thoughts towards her. Even if women wear unsightly bags that cover everything but their eyes, some men would still stumble. Therefore, dear sisters, let your attire reflect a desire to honor your dignity. Make sure it does not showcase your bodies. It should not intentionally draw men’s gazes to inappropriate places. While the Bible does not provide a definitive standard, this gap exists because motivation matters profoundly. Seeking clarity on this matter can be intricate. It is often fraught. However, most pious sisters are eager to avoid any ambiguity.

Western society has shockingly forsaken the noble concept of modesty. It has cast young girls into a grim spotlight as mere sex objects from a tender age. The relentless barrage of television, movies, celebrities, and advertisements exacerbates this crisis, ceaselessly diminishing standards and values. On social media, countless young women seek fleeting fame. They pursue hollow attention. They often expose themselves in provocative ways that scream for recognition. A sister faces a critical issue when she compromises her dignity in search of validation. She mistakenly believes that such attention will lead her to love. Instead, she discovers that she attracts the wrong kind of gaze, one devoid of respect and true connection.

For women, embrace the beauty of modesty in your attire. If you are married, seek your husband’s thoughts on the pieces you choose to wear. Cherish his genuine opinions. Be ready to transform your wardrobe by discarding anything that lacks that precious modest touch. Let your clothing choices reflect a desire not to draw attention for the sake of it. Honor and please your King. Radiate elegance and grace in every step you take.

For men, invest in your wives by giving them money to buy new things. It can be a challenge to find modest clothing. She may need to explore online for options that resonate with her style. Embrace this with an open heart—be patient and understanding. Meanwhile, keep your gaze steady; when you encounter alluring women in revealing attire, don’t linger. Redirect your attention swiftly and cultivate the habit of lifting your thoughts to the Lord in prayer instantly.

decency and good sense,

Discrete means subtly, not openly or publicly. A godly woman understands the profound truth that certain facets of her physical beauty are treasures. These are meant to be cherished and safeguarded. They should not be displayed for all to see (Hebrews 13:4). Paul isn’t suggesting that a woman should hide her beauty or shy away from looking exquisite. Instead, he calls upon her to embrace a deeper wisdom. Imagine the moment when a daughter excitedly reveals to her father that she has bought an iPhone. His advice? Purchase a cover to shield it, preserving its brilliance and keeping it safe from harm. Similarly, he imparts the wisdom that adorning oneself with grace and modesty serves as protection. It defends her inner and outer beauty from the harshness of the world.

not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel,

Paul passionately emphasizes the troubling reality. Many women in the first century were caught in the web of seeking undue attention. Take braiding hair, for instance. It may seem like a harmless and charming activity. However, the truth is far more concerning. Some women devoted countless hours to intricately weaving their hair into elaborate designs. Their energy was fixated on fleeting external beauty. They neglected nurturing their inner selves. This misplaced focus is alarming! The internal—our true essence—deserves far greater importance. It is tragic for a woman to spend four precious hours in front of the mirror, braiding her hair. It’s also disheartening to find herself in a beauty salon five days a week. She squanders her life on pursuits that ultimately hold no eternal value!

The universal principle fervently emphasizes that a woman must prioritize and cherish what God holds dear. Most scholars acknowledge that these verses shouldn’t be interpreted with rigid literalism. This implies even extravagant gold wedding rings may be discarded. However, this in no way diminishes the profound message. Curiously, numerous other excesses not mentioned in this passage are equally inappropriate. Buying countless pairs of shoes is an extravagant pursuit. Spending twenty thousand dollars on a luxurious purse is frivolous. Decorating with thousands of dollars in platinum jewelry is wasteful. Spending vast sums on cosmetic surgeries takes one’s focus away from what truly matters.

It’s crucial to understand that this principle holds true for men as well. They must elevate their priorities, placing God above all else—far beyond the allure of gadgets. Too many fall into the trap of splurging vast sums on the latest electronics. Others spend on trendy clothing. However, those resources could ignite the growth of God’s kingdom in profound ways. Let passion drive their choices, shifting focus from materialism to a divine purpose!

Extravagant weddings are a common occurrence. Couples often go into debt to spend on clothes and things they will use once. This is an example of focusing on the wrong things. Instead of spending huge amounts of money to turn heads and impress people, the focus should be on honoring God. The celebration should turn attention to Him.

Before making a purchase, fervently ask yourself, “Does this choice bring glory to God? As I consider buying this, am I truly managing the invaluable resources wisely? Have these been entrusted to me by the Almighty?” Whether you indulge in food or sip a drink, let every action have a deeper purpose. Ensure that it honors and glorifies God in all you do!

but with good works

In the Bible, we often encounter a striking literary device. It challenges us to recognize the folly of trading something invaluable for something trivial (John 6:27, 1 Timothy 4:8). Imagine the impact we could have. We should redirect our attention from the allure of social media. We can focus on the joy of performing good deeds! This concept shouldn’t ignite controversy; it should inspire clarity and action! Yet, countless individuals squander precious hours on platforms like Facebook or Twitter. They snap selfies in the latest fashions. Many obsessively hunt for that perfect pose. They invest tens of hours in pursuit of fleeting “likes” and “retweets.” Seriously, can anyone honestly think this short-lived pursuit of vanity measures up to the satisfaction of visiting an orphanage? Can it compare to volunteering at a hospital? Or to serving in Sunday School?

God wants His people to focus on things that are important, things that have eternal value!

¹⁶ making the most of the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:16

Some translations say, “Redeeming the time..” In the first century, redeeming the time was not just important; it was a passionate pursuit! Today, we face an overwhelming array of distractions that never existed back then. It’s astonishing how effortless it has become to squander our precious time! So, I ask you, what truly captures your attention? If you were to tally your moments, would you discover that you’ve spent more time scrolling through the internet? Have you been glued to the television? Are you caught in the web of social media? Or are you dedicating your heart to building God’s kingdom? This week, let’s not waste a single moment! What extraordinary acts of kindness can you commit to in order to serve the Lord and make every second count?

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Cross-References

• 1 Peter 3:3-4
• Proverbs 31:30
• Ecclesiastes 3:11
• Song of Solomon 4:7
• 1 Samuel 16:7
• Proverbs 6:25
• Proverbs 27:4
• Proverbs 11:22

Discussion Questions

• Why does Paul say “likewise” here? What is the connection between this passage and the previous?
• What is the key instruction given to women in verse 9?
• What is modest clothing? What is immodest clothing?
• What is discreet clothing?
• In light of this passage, is it OK for a woman to braid her hair and wear jewelry? Why or why not?
• What is the universal principle behind these instructions?
• How can a godly young lady apply them today?
• What should a godly woman focus on rather than outward beauty?
• How can a lady discern whether too much time and money is spent on apparel and beauty? What is too much?

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