(Modest Apparel, continued from page 8)

themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment” (1 Tim.2:9). Notice what Matthew Henry says on 1 Timothy 2:9-14: “Women who profess the Christian religion, must be modest in apparel, not affecting gaudiness, gaiety, or costliness. Good works are the best ornament; these are, in the sight of God, of great price. Modesty and neatness are more to be consulted in garments than elegance and fashion. And it would be well if the professors of serious godliness were wholly free from vanity in dress. They should spend more time and money in relieving the sick and distressed, than decorating themselves and their children. To do this in a manner unsuitable to their rank in life, and their profession of godliness, is sinful. These are not trifles, but Divine commands. The best ornaments for professors of godliness, are good works.”

There are three important words that must be examined in 1 Timothy 2:9. The first word is “modest”. This word means to be orderly, well-arranged, decent; observing conventional standards of proper dress and behavior; from coarseness or indecency: chaste in thought and conduct. The second word is “shamefast”. Shamefast is described as a word that means “a sense of shame, reverence, respect; one who is respectfully timid.” The third word is “sobriety”. The lexicons tell us this word means “soundness of mind, reasonableness, good judgment, moderation, self-control, decency, chastity.” There is just no way a man or woman can be modest, shamefast, and sober and dress in immodest apparel. Men and women who parade around in bathing suits or short shorts do not possess the Christian virtues Paul is speaking about in 1 Timothy 2:9.

What is Immodest Dress For?

The authorities answer loud and clear: SEX. Mary Quant, the designer of the mini-skirt, said, “Mini-clothes are symbolic of those girls who didn’t want to wait until dark to seduce a man.” Fashion Designer Leo Narducci says "that the woman who wears revealing clothes is one who is sure of herself, who thinks of sex more openly…she is not concerned about nudity. She has a body and she knows it!” Theodor Reik, fashion designer and author, stated: “The other day the owner of one of our most elegant dress stores stated that a dress is successful when it awakes in the man who looks at the woman the wish to take it off, to undress her.”

Authority after authority could be quoted to prove that partly dressed men and women attract the desires of the opposite flesh. Jesus truly recognized this when He said, “But I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Mt.5:28). How about the ad on the front cover of a popular ladies magazine which reads: “Splashiest, Newest Bathing Suits for Girls Who Never Swim – Such Fun to Be Seen In.” Does any comment need to be made?

A lot of people try to claim that modesty is only relative to the age we live in. What was immodest 30 years ago is modest today. Thus, some feel you cannot draw a line of what is modest and what is immodest. If this is true, we might as well throw the Bible out the window. Don Humphrey brings out this point: “However a woman may dress that causes or invites sexual interest in her on the part of the male observer, is immodest and what does not cause it and does not invite it is modest” (A Modern Look At Modesty, pp.11-12). If one were to argue that the modern day swimsuit is modest, what would constitute immodesty? If a man can run around in short shorts and without a T-shirt and claim to be modest, then what would he have to wear and be immodest?

What the Bible teaches concerning this subject is not difficult. It just needs to be taught. We need to teach our children how God wants them to dress. Better yet, we need to teach them to be shamefast, modest, and sober. If they will dress and act in fashion with the three biblical words Paul used in 1 Timothy 2:9, we will have done what God said to do.

George Reed
Salinas, CA.

(Things Written Aforetime, continued from page 4)

The question is not do we see anything wrong with it, but does God say it is wrong?! Regarding pornography, gambling, homosexuality, abortion, rape, alcoholism and other forms of drug addiction, child molesters, and abusive husbands {spouses,eht}, the answer is Yes, He does!

Brandon
Visalia, CA.