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GUEST ARTICLE
God-Pleasing
Dress
The Bible is presented
to us as making the man of God "perfect, throughly
furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3: 17). In
the same expression, Paul wrote that the scripture is given
by "inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (vs.
16). It is truly amazing the scope of subjects that are
addressed in the Bible. The Bible teaches that clothing
originated with God (Gen. 3: 7, 21). Clothing makes a statement,
as we shall see and is of great importance. In the case
of the Levitical Priesthood, their attire reflected the
dignity of their office (Ex. 28: 2, 4 ff.).
Dress reveals things
about the person. I realize that in this day, there is
relatively little importance placed on clothes. However,
that does not change the teaching of the Bible. I am also
aware of the argument advanced regarding I Samuel 16: 7.
The Lord said to Samuel regarding David, "…for the
Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." From
this statement some have erroneously concluded that God
does not care how man dresses.
Dress may suggest
whether a person is rich or poor (Jas. 2: 2). Clothing
can reveal sorrow (2 Sam. 3: 31). Certain clothing can
identify one's belonging to a particular group, such as
a gang or life style (cp. Zeph. 1: 8). A male or female
can be announced by distinctive apparel (Deut. 22: 5).
Prisoners can be detected by their dress (Jer. 52: 33).
Certain clothing may reveal particular activity, such as
having attended a wedding (Matt. 22: 1 ff.). The quality
of dress can reveal how well a mother has provided for
her family (Prov. 31: 21, 22). Clothing can also announce
a harlot (Prov. 7: 10). You see, those who believe the
Bible is silent relative to dress have not really considered
what the Bible says about clothing.
The matter of daily
dress. Different scriptures govern the daily dress of a
Christian. One primary scripture is I Peter 3: 1-4. Peter
taught, "Whose adorning let it not be that outward
adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold or
of putting on of apparel" (vs. 3). It is obvious that
Peter is not simply condemning the use of gold and certain
hair arrangements. We know this because he continues to
include "or of putting on of apparel." Peter's
next statement suggests the meaning: "But let it be
the hidden man of the heart…" (vs. 4). In other words,
we are not to place the primary emphasis on the outward,
the dress, but on the inward, the "hidden man of the
heart." In addition to focusing on priority, Peter
also teaches that clothing is not to be gaudy, tawdry,
or ostentatious (cp. Rev. 17: 4). Many Eastern women would
spend much time and money to present themselves outwardly,
but would have little or no concern regarding the real
person, their spirits. We need to look into the mirror
of God's word and adorn ourselves spiritually (Jas. 1:
25 ff.)
Dress in worship.
We dress accordingly for different purposes and functions
(Gen. 41: 14; Matt. 22: 11-13). Public worship should be
no exception. The priests of old wore clothing that reflected
the gravity and solemnity of the occasion (Ex. 28: 2 ff.,
I Pet. 2: 9). I Timothy 2 beginning in verse eight seems
to particularly address public worship (see addendum).
Paul addresses the attire of women thus: "In like
manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,
with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair,
or gold, or pearls, or costly array…" (vs. 9). The
descriptive terms used are very helpful in determining
the teaching and requisites.
"Adorn" (kosmeo)
means "primarily to arrange, to put in order" (W.E.
Vine is quoted on all these terms). "Modest" (kosmios)
means orderly, well-arranged, decent, modest." "Apparel" (katastole)
suggests "to send or let down, to lower (kata, down,
and stello, to send). "Shamefacedness" (aidos)
is defined as, "a sense of shame, modesty." Last
of all, "sobriety" (sophrosune) means "soundness
of mind, sound judgment." The composite description
of the dress is the dress is to be put in order, well-arranged,
decent and modest, dress is to be let down (more later)
there is to be a sense of shame to guide in our dress,
and good, sound judgment to guide the choice of our dress.
Dress in general.
Keep in mind that it appears that one reason God clothed
Adam and Eve was to provide not only adequate clothing,
but clothing that covered their bodies as opposed to the "aprons" they
had made for themselves (Gen. 3: 7; 21, the "coats" or
tunics God made evidently came down at least to their knees).
Keep in mind also that God included Adam (some seem to
think that proper dress only applies to the female). The
specified attire for the priests was designed to cover
their "nakedness" (Ex. 28: 42). This God specified
clothing covered their "thighs" (the exposing
of the thighs was called nakedness).
Dress or the lack
thereof on the part of Bethsheba played a major role in
the temptation and fall of David (2 Sam. 11: 2, 3). Jesus
taught, "But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh
on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with
her already in his heart" (Matt. 5: 28). Seductive
and revealing dress can certainly be conducive to such "adultery
in the heart" and those so clad will also be held
responsible.
In general, clothing
that is not gaudy, appropriate for the occasion, distinguishes
the genders, does not take priority over the spiritual
development, shows a sense of shame and good judgment,
is well arranged, and comes to about the knee is the dress
taught in the Bible.
In closing, clothes
do not make the person, but they often reveal the person!
Tim Smith
©2003 Tim
Smith. Permission granted to use this article in any manner,
as long as:
1) the content is not changed and 2) the name of the author is left on the
article.
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