1 Timothy 2:9 Explained | What Biblical Modesty Really Means
Paul's instruction on dress in 1 Timothy 2 has less to do with fashion, and everything to do with what we value. Take an honest look in the mirror this morning and ask whether you're dressing to be noticed, or dressing to honour God. Watch or read the devo and leave a comment, here:
Does the way you dress matter to God?
Paul seemed to think so. In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, he wrote: "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" (1 Timothy 2:9-10 NIV11).
I think this is a message for both men and women. But clearly in Paul's day, it was a matter that needed raising with the women in that community.
Paul is saying, appearance matters. The way you look says a lot about what you value.
Why Modesty Reflects Your Values
I never got this as a kid. There was a song I really liked that said "Image is Nothing. Jesus is Everything." So I didn't really care about what people thought of my image, my appearance.
Or at least, that's what I told myself. But I think I secretly did! I think I would wear my shorts and my cap because it made me feel like a sporty guy. I wanted people to see me as a sporty guy. I wanted to show the world that I didn't value fashion, but I loved cricket! I made sure my appearance matched my values.
I think everybody does this. We adorn ourselves - to use Paul's term - in a way that expresses our values to the world. In that sense, appearance matters, because what you value matters, and your appearance often gives away what you value before you've even opened your mouth.
Paul says that we should value three things: modesty, decency and propriety - which are godly values. Let's talk about that first one today: dressing with modesty.
Dressing to Honour God, Not to Impress Others
Be modest - not showy, dressed in a way that shows off how wealthy you are. In that culture, elaborate hairstyles and expensive jewellery were status symbols. People wanted to draw attention to their wealth and high standing in society by the way they dressed. Wealthy women were showing off in church, making poorer people around them feel inferior.
It's a temptation for many today, too. But church is no place to show off. Church is no place to try and set yourself apart by elaborate and expensive dress.
This is not to say you can't dress well for church! If you want to dress up as an act of worship and reverence for God, that's wonderful. In fact, perhaps in our day we are sometimes too casual and not reverent enough in our dress for church. Perhaps we might consider dressing more smartly to honour God now and then?
But we must check our hearts! Check that you're not doing it to try to make an impression on people. Err on the side of modesty and plainness - I think that's what Paul was trying to say.
Your appearance matters - don't dress to get attention! Dress modestly, and let your character be what people notice about you, not your clothing.
Paul's instruction on dress in 1 Timothy 2 has less to do with fashion, and everything to do with what we value. Take an honest look in the mirror this morning and ask whether you're dressing to be noticed, or dressing to honour God.