Topical Bible: Dress: Rules With Respect to Women's

◄ Dress: Rules With Respect to Women's ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The topic of women's dress in the Bible is addressed through various passages that provide guidance on modesty, propriety, and the expression of inner virtues through outward appearance. These scriptural references have been interpreted within the context of cultural norms and religious principles, emphasizing the importance of modesty and the reflection of one's faith through attire.

Modesty and Propriety

1. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 : "Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God." This passage underscores the principle that women's dress should reflect modesty and self-control, prioritizing good deeds over outward adornment. The emphasis is on inner beauty and the expression of faith through actions rather than extravagant or ostentatious clothing.

2. 1 Peter 3:3-4 : "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight." Here, the focus is on the inner qualities of a gentle and quiet spirit, which are deemed more valuable than external appearances. The passage encourages women to cultivate inner virtues that are pleasing to God.

Cultural Context and Head Coverings

3. 1 Corinthians 11:5-6 : "And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. And if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head." In the cultural context of the Corinthian church, head coverings were a sign of respect and propriety during worship. This passage reflects the importance of adhering to cultural norms that honor God and maintain order within the church setting.

Old Testament References

4. Deuteronomy 22:5 : "A woman must not wear men’s clothing, and a man must not wear women’s clothing, for whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD your God." This commandment highlights the importance of maintaining distinctiveness between genders in dress, reflecting the created order and roles as ordained by God. The prohibition against cross-dressing is seen as a safeguard against blurring gender distinctions.

Principles of Modesty and Distinction

The biblical guidelines for women's dress emphasize modesty, propriety, and the expression of inner virtues. While specific cultural practices may vary, the underlying principles remain consistent: women are encouraged to dress in a manner that reflects their faith, honors God, and respects the distinctions between genders. These principles serve as a guide for women to navigate their choices in attire, ensuring that their outward appearance aligns with their commitment to living a life that is pleasing to God.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Timothy 2:9,10
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with modesty and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
Nave's Topical Index

1 Peter 3:3
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The First Theological Oration.
... defilement or disturbance, and when that which rules within us ... arguments should suffer
loss even in respect of the ... winter, and just as a man's dress does not ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxvii the first theological.htm

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... In this respect the assembly has already shown itself bad: for ... For that style of
dress is grave, and protects from ... 11:14, 15); and that it rules for modesty in ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

Book Four. The Modern Moravians, 1857-1907.
... a good many of the old stern rules are still ... Hopkins's "Ellers." But the change in
this respect was only ... They dress their sores; they wash their clothes; they ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/book four the modern moravians.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... touched the ground; sometimes an actual dress seems to ... it; we have also instances
of women reclaiming valuables of ... their own property in every respect like an ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... The latter, a tool in the hands of women and eunuchs ... king was hedged round with such
ceremonial respect as in ... His dress differed from that of his nobles only by ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... The recollection of the converse of these poor women led to solemn heart-searching
and ... He was a stranger to the rules of Hebrew rhetoric; nor did he consider ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm