How Should a Christian Woman Dress?

Paul's epistle to Timothy included guidance on how he (Timothy) was to manage the church at Ephesus, and by default, all New Testament churches. Part of that guidance included (1 Timothy 2:8-9): 

"...that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."

At the time, Ephesus was famous for the temple of the Roman God Diana (Greek: Artemis) who was worshipped as a mother goddess associated with fertility. In fact, the temple at Ephesus had priestesses engaged in prostitution as a form of worship. Needless to say, the women of the day who were Diana followers, were dressed in such a way as to honor their fertility god and draw attention to themselves, perhaps for sexual purposes. 

Faith Lesson 

Women desire to look nice—to be beautiful. It's a part of their make up. The evidence can be seen in much time and millions of dollars being spent on beauty products, on parlor treatments, on clothes, on surgeries, on procedures, and even on Photoshop software designed to make a woman look beautiful, if not feel beautiful. This is how God designed women and there's nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact, men love it! 

He does however say where her focus should be: rather than focusing on her exterior, she is encouraged to focus on pointing people to her God.

Paul does not say that a woman shouldn't be concerned with her beauty. In fact, he tells women to adorn themselves. He does however say where her focus should be: rather than focusing on her exterior, she is encouraged to focus on pointing people to her God. Rather than drawing excessive attention to her outward appearance, a woman can dress herself in such a way as to honor her God. Paul said, rather than giving more attention to adorning themselves with exterior items, a Christian woman ought to adorn herself with good works. 

Reflection 

As a woman, what excites a man about you? Is it your appearance only or your inner woman as well? 

What are you focusing on with regard to your beauty that may or may not be out of focus with what Paul urges? 

How could you apply Proverbs 31:30 here? 

How could we apply Proverbs 11:22 here? 

---
By Jerry Smith
Feature image: Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash