Timothy, Tell the Women to Be Modest in Their Appearance (1 Timothy 2:9-10, Women Only)

“And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do”
(1 Timothy 2:9-10, NLT)

Here is a passage that women (and men too!) would like to shy away from in this day in which we live. Read these verses over and over again and let God’s Word say exactly what it say to you, and “remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to” (James 1:22). But let the ladies be glad and rejoice for Paul doesn’t mean that a woman is not to be attractive. What he says is that women shouldn’t be seductive (tempting, enticing, and causing someone to sin), instead, they “should make themselves attractive.” Seductive, no; attractive, yes! I believe that there is nothing wrong for a woman to be beautiful outwardly. As a man, I have to admit, my first impression toward a woman is her appearances, decency and appropriateness.

Having said that, let me now point out that a woman – Christian woman, especially – must guard her God-given modesty. God is creation has made the man to be drawn to the woman physically and the woman need to recognize this and dress in such a manner as to guard her modesty. Woman are usually much more fashion-conscious than are men in general. There is nothing wrong with fashion or style. However, as for Paul, it is not a mere matter of fashion or style, but what he wrote here is a definite moral and spiritual issues which is at stake. God says thru Paul that a woman is to be modest. Society today, on the other hand, says a woman is to be liberated, free and self-expressive in their appearances. To some extent, it’s true. But you – woman – have to decide whether you are going to obey God and be right with Him or be conform to the world.

Paul is not saying in this passage, as some mistakenly interpret, that a woman is not to wear any gold, pearl, fix her hair or wear expensive clothing (of course you may, if you can afford it). All he says is that these things are not to be her most attractive side. These are not to be the things that “draw attention” to her. This passage is in the context of worship service… and it would be a disaster if people draw attention to you rather than to God!

So what should make a Christian woman attractive? Her good deeds. “For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.” Attractiveness should begin inside a woman. NLT Life Application Study Bible comment on this passage: “A gentle, modest, loving character gives a light to the face that cannot be duplicated by the best cosmetics and jewellery in the world. A carefully groomed and well-decorated exterior is artificial and cold unless inner beauty is present.”

Women (and men too), think about these things.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.