Bible Thoughts May 17, 1998
"I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing. In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment, but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works"(I Timothy 2:8-9).
The proper behavior and conduct of those who are Christians is necessary if we are to influence others in becoming disciples of Christ. Men are to be of such nature that others will observe how a righteous person lives. Women, in like manner, are to be conscious of the way in which they can lead others to do what is right. When those who profess the gospel live by the standards of the gospel, only good will result.
Men are often viewed as those who become angry easily and vent their anger on others. In this passage, the word for anger refers to a settled "condition of mind." It is not the infrequent outburst, but one who lives in anger, mad at himself, mad at the world, and mad at the brethren. When one lives with this type of anger over time, it tends to destroy the reasoning Christians should possess. Paul is telling Timothy to lift up holy hands for help from God, not give vent to one's anger or control yourself.
Paul also points out that "disputings" are inappropriate behavior for men. When one holds an opinion to the point of separating and/or doubting the truth, his example and adornment are out of order. Such a one often cannot see anything or discuss anything except what he has fixed in his mind. These "doubtings" in the mind come not from the word of God but following one's own desires. A man's influence with Christians and with those of the world can be destroyed by such an example.
Women, likewise, are to adorn themselves in "modest" apparel. The word modest in the original language carries the idea of "orderly, well-arranged, decent." This behavior comes from what is inside the person. In fact, Paul uses the word "shamefastness" in his instructions. Shamefastness carries the idea of a sense of shame. This is not in a bad sense, but in a good one. Such an attitude would avoid leaving the impression with others that one is no different from the worldly who care not for modesty or shame. The other word is "sobriety." This word carries the idea of "sound judgment." When the Christian uses sound judgment, the dress, conduct, and behavior reflects the principles of Christ.
While Paul is not saying, "Do not wear jewelry," he is emphasizing the inward person is the important factor. Paul knew that women who profess righteousness will not be judged on the outward appearance, but the "good works" that have been a part of their lives. Do people know me because of my life as a Christian, or because of the emphasis I place on the physical? Does my modest apparel reflect my life as a Christian?
The world does not know the meaning of modesty: in men or in women. Their extremes in dress and behavior reflect neither shamefastness or sobriety. Someone wrote a book on the "Naked Society" onetime. As I recall, it was not about nakedness, but one surely could have been written about the present age.
The dress and behavior of the Christian is different from the world. It is not always easy to be different, but it is always right. It is not always easy to help our children to understand, but is always right to teach them and set an example of modesty for them.
It is not wrong for a Christian to dress in a fashionable and pleasing manner. The apostles lived as did others in the society of their day. They wore the same type of clothes, ate the same kind of food, frequented the same markets, etc., but did not allow themselves to be identified as anything but Christians. One does not have to go out of the world (isolation) in order to live as a righteous person(I Corinthians 5:10). It is necessary, however, that we do not become as the world in thought, behavior, conduct, speech and, yes, immodest apparel.