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By Roger A. Scully, Jr.
- In this article the issue of clothing, or more properly, the clothing worn by Christians, will be addressed. It
has been the contention of many that the clothes worn by Christians doesn’t really matter, but rather what is
on the inside, meaning what is in the heart, is that which matters. While it is true that that which is on the
inside matters, it must be recognized that what is on the inside is directly connected and often influences that
which is on the outside. Meaning simply: the manner in which a person dresses is a manifestation of a person’
s attitude and a revelation of the moral position held as pertaining to sanctity. Also, it is not only what is on the
inside of a person that matters, but as I hope to show, that which is worn matters as well.
It should be, that those who are truly concerned about serving God are greatly concerned about what
God says in the Bible, for herein is the revelation of God of “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet
1:3; 2 Tim 3:16, 17). Thus, if the Bible says certain things about the manner in which Christians should dress,
then that should be of concern to a Christian, and all Christians should conform to that which the Bible
teaches. Let us now note what the Bible says about clothing and nakedness:
The particular passage to which attention is now called is 1 Timothy 2:9-10, wherein we read: “In like
manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with
braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but which becometh women professing godliness through
good works.” While it is openly admitted that the context speaks of dressing in the assembly so that undo
attention is called to a particular person, as the particular application Paul uses, the words used have a
particular meaning, the application of which most certainly applies to dress in general. The word “adorn” is
translated from the kosmeite, 2nd person plural, meaning to put in order, to arrange properly. “Modest” finds
its translation from the word kosmio, in the Dative, meaning well arranged. “Apparel” is an obvious reference
to garments worn. However, the two words of most importance to us are “shamefacedness” and “sobriety.”
“Shamefacedness” is translated from the Genitive aidous meaning: a person who has shame, honor, a person
who is shy, bashful, who has respect, who has concern for others, who shows reverence. The word is
objective, primarily dealing with having a regard for others. “Sobriety” is translated from the word
sophrosuses, meaning: having self-control and soundness of mind. So, how did the apostle expect Christians
to dress? In a manner which was (1) well arranged, (2) as having shame (meaning not wanting to be
embarrassed), with respect in regard to others and God, having concern for how others may be affected by
what is worn, and (3) controlling the desire to dress otherwise. Note also that Christians should dress in a
manner which “professes godliness.”
Now, then, if there is modest dress, then there must be immodest dress. If aidous and sophrosunes are
descriptive of modest dress, then that which is opposite would be descriptive of immodest dress. Is a bathing
suite modest or immodest? Are low-riding, tight fitting jeans modest or immodest? Are short cut shirts modest
or immodest? Are form fitting dresses modest or immodest? He who would suggest these things as being
modes is in desperate need of self-examination (cf. 2 Cor 13:5), for all of these things are opposite of aidous
(shamefacedness).
Now, what of nakedness? The Bible speaks of nakedness quite frequently, hence defining the term for
us by the manner in which is it used. In Exodus 28:42, the Bible says, “thou shalt make them linen breeches to
cover their nakedness.” Note carefully the purpose of the breeches: “to cover their nakedness.” Now, what
are the breeches going to cover? Well, obviously their nakedness, but what is nakedness. Remember, we
cannot define biblical terms by their present day English usage. The text continues by stating, “from their loins
even to their thighs they shall extend.” God wanted their nakedness covered, so He explained that the
covering, in order for it to cover their nakedness, would have to be from the loin, hips, down to the thighs, the
leg above the knee. Thus, the Bible defines nakedness as revealing the hip to above the knee. It must be
concluded then that to dress wearing clothing which reveals this part of the body is to dress
immodestly.
Consider now, as was stated above, that outward clothing should represent our inner heart. Jesus said,
“out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt 12:34), meaning: that which is thought in the
mind is manifest in words and/or actions. Though Jesus did not verbally say actions in connection with words
in this passage, the principle is clearly implicit, for just as a man thinks he speaks, as a man thinks he acts
(Prov 23:7; Jms 4:1). If a person is striving to serve the Master sincerely from the heart, then this will be
manifest in the manner in which he speaks; the manner in which he behaves; the places he frequents; and
most certainly the clothes he wears. For this cause Jesus said, “let your light shine before men, that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt 5:16). If we are striving, with a sincere
heart, to serve God, then our clothes will show that we are “professing godliness.” Does sexually revealing
clothing profess godliness? Obviously not, for God warned against sexual actions and thoughts outside the
realm of marriage (cf. Matt 5:27-28).
Others have contended that it is OK to dress in a certain manner because it is the style or trend of
present day. Is this not why people are so eager to dress, and defend dressing, inappropriately? People say
things like: “Everybody dresses that way.” That may be the case, but the world is not our standard, God’s
word is (Eph 1:23; Col 3:17; 2 Tim 3:16, 17). If society would say that it is acceptable to walk around
absolutely naked, would that make it acceptable? If not, then please explain why not? It would not make it
acceptable because the Bible is the standard and not the world. Remember the words of Moses, “thou shalt
not follow a multitude to do evil” (Ex 23:2). Again the apostle Paul wrote, “be not conformed to the world, but
be ye transformed” (Rom 12:1, 2). Yet again, “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. For
all that is of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father, but of
the world. And, the world passes away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abides forever”
(1 Jn 2:15-17). There are many things of which the world approves, and many more things the world
practices, but if God has condemned these things as wrong, then the Christian must recognize them as such,
“let God be true and every man a liar” (Rom 3:4).
One of the most important things for a Christian to consider is his influence over others. Consider that
the Bible teaches, “offense will come, but woe unto him through whom the come” (Lk 17:1). It is clear that man
will sin (cf. Rom 3:23), however, the person who may be guilty of causing, influencing, or provoking that sin is
in obvious danger. As a Christian, I don’t want to see anyone sin, because the wages thereof is death (Rom 6:
23); nor do I want to be guilty of provoking someone to sin, which would be sin in itself. Hence, I should try to
act in a manner which will “provoke unto love and good works.” Now, a man or woman is going to lust after a
person[s] of the opposite sex, no matter what they wear. This offense will come. But, is it not true that one may
provoke this lust by wearing revealing clothing; hence being one through whom the offense comes? While
some will lust no matter what is worn, others will not, but may be provoked by revealing clothing. In fact, one
writer stated, “Males are 30 times more sexually aroused by a woman’s thighs than by her face.”
Let us now appeal to commonsense. Would a woman, a Christian woman, be willing to go outside of her
home, into a public setting, wearing nothing more than her bra and panties? Would she be willing to put on
some pants or shorts, then go to the grocery store wearing nothing atop save her bra? Methinks that most
would answer in the negative. Why, then, is it thought to be appropriate to take a bra and panties, put color
and designs on them, sale them in a different department of a clothing store, call them a bathing suit or bikini,
and wear it in public? I would like for someone to please explain, besides the name, and perhaps the material
out of which they are made, the difference between a bra and panties, and a “bathing suite.”
I have personally heard how males speak of cheerleaders, bikini models, and women in public who wear
clothes revealing their body, and they desires they have toward them. Are we OK with people looking at our
wives and daughters this way? Are women OK with being viewed this way? If so, we are in need of some
serious soul searching.
Short shorts; form fitting pants, shirts and dresses; pants with holes in them; tops revealing cleavage; at
al. are all problems. It has been proven, not only from God’s word, but also by many studies of social
behavior, that these things provoke sexual desires (cf. Matt 5:27, 28). The Houston Post reported a 100%
increase in sexual crimes when women wear revealing clothing, such as: “miniskirts, revealing shorts, low-rise
jeans, short cut shirts, etc.” The publication Psychology Today stated that a U.C.L.A. study revealed:
- “Teenage girls who wear hip-hugging jeans and no-bra tops might think they are just being stylish, but
the boys who look at them think the fashions suggest the girls want to have sex…The study involved
432 young people in the Los Angeles area, equally divided among blacks, whites and Hispanics…The
survey indicated that while both sexes agreed that a tight blouse was a deliberate teaser, the males
were more likely to be turned on by other female apparel such as ‘a low cut top, shorts, tight jeans, or
no bra.’
“To her, tight jeans…mean she’s in style. To him, they mean she wants to have sex.”
Another issue as pertaining to the subject in need of being addressed is: dress in worship. I won’t take
much space to write a great deal, but suffice it to say: Is not God worthy of respect to highest degree (Jer 5:
22)? Do we not manifest our respect toward him by the manner in which we dress (Ex 3:5)? Why then, do we
think it acceptable to dress as though we are going to a ball game, do work in the yard, on to a place where
things really don’t matter? Let us show reverence to our God in His assembly.
Those who contend that it is acceptable to dress immodestly either: (1) are ignorant of that which the
Bible teaches, or (2) reject that which the Bible teaches. I suppose in some cases it may be a bit of both.
Christians are a form of walking advertisement for God. How are we representing Him?