Several years ago, while passing a local movie rental, one poster in particular caught my attention. It featured a new release titled “The Devil Wears Prada”. The name, however, was far more suggestive than many realize. I began to ponder on it and several thoughts came to mind. It's interesting that society proudly identifies the kingpin of the fashion industry as Satan. Prada, like so many other clothing outfitters, thrives on name brand recognition and makes its millions simply by appealing to the latest trends in fashion. 

 

But why is fashion such a popular hit? Could it be because it allows us to satisfy our natural craving for glamour and prestige? The popular saying “with style comes status” is perhaps very true. After all, consider the fact that trendy clothes are a status symbol that have often been used to highlight a person's class or rank in society. So it goes without saying that our choice of dress really does make a difference. It speaks volumes about who we are or what we aspire to be. The Bible, however, isn't silent about this issue:

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"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 Jn. 2:16).

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"...for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God" (Lk 16:15).

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The above verses demonstrate that the world is driven by lust and pride. Ordinarily, the carnal man is pleasure-seeking and attracted to such things as exotic cars, fancy clothing, nice homes, vacations, cruises, and choice properties. This carnal attraction is what the Bible calls "lust." But lust is a compacted word that denotes covetousness, greed, and idolatry. No doubt all three of these empower and propel the fashion craze. Then there's sexual lust. The fact that much of our modern apparel is tailored to complement the body in a sexy manner should provoke a healthy degree of concern among Christians. There is simply no denying the sensual and provocative forms of dress promoted everywhere as the new norm. The apparent aim of those controlling the fashion industry is to arouse our sexual appetite through the use of skimpy clothing. The obvious appeal to the “lust of the flesh,” the “lust of the eyes,” and the “pride of life” is reason enough to draw a line in the “sand” when it comes to dress. And if it's pride that motivates us to distinguish ourselves so prominently in the area of style, that too needs to be properly considered.

 

Women

As established previously, the cultural norms of dress are drifting ever further from modesty and decency and gravitating increasingly closer toward sexual promiscuity. So where does the Christian woman draw the line? At what point is it decided that the trend has gone too far? More specifically, how much of the feminine anatomy should be concealed or revealed? Thankfully, the Apostle Paul did not leave us clueless in respect to these questions, as demonstrated in the following verses:

 

"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; but which becometh women professing godliness with good works" (1 Tim 2:9-10).

 

Notice that while addressing the appropriate mode of dress for Christian women, the apostle Paul exhorts them to adorn themselves “modestly” with “shamefacedness and sobriety”. He then goes on to contrast outward appearance with the true adornment of good deeds and genuine worship of God, emphasizing that a Christian’s character should outshine their clothing.

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But modesty in the way we dress is not merely a principle confined to the church building; it is a standard for all Christians, at all times. At its core, modesty stems from the attitudes and intentions of the heart. Those who are inclined toward God will seek to dress modestly, decently, and appropriately, while those focused on self will dress to draw undue attention, disregarding the spiritual implications for themselves and others. A godly woman, however, lives with a “God-ward” perspective. She recognizes that her actions—including her choice of dress—reflect either the glory of God or a misplaced focus on her body.

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A Christian woman who dresses immodestly sends conflicting messages about her faith. By doing so, she undermines her witness for the One who redeemed her soul through the cross. Scripture reminds us that our body is not our own; it is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19–20). Dressing in ways that provoke lust not only dishonors Christ but also contributes to the spiritual stumbling of others, which Jesus sternly warns against (Mat 5:27–29).

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So what does biblical modesty mean in today’s society? While biblical modesty provides some important dress guidance, its primary focus is on the condition of the heart. Proverbs 7:10 describes a woman “dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent,” illustrating how her outward appearance reveals her inner heart condition and intentions.

 

A godly woman will resist the cultural pressures to wear provocative or revealing clothing. She understands that modest attire protects her testimony as a child of God and fosters respect rather than lustful attention.​ Moreover, she views immodest clothing as cheapening her worth, knowing her value is rooted in Christ, not in physical allure. Her heart is grieved by the thought of leading others into sin through her dress because her primary goal is to honor God and help others do the same. Ultimately, modesty in dress is an external manifestation of a heart that seeks to glorify God, reflecting attitudes of humility, purity, and reverence—virtues that should define all Believers, men and women alike.

 

(A) Modest Apparel

In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, Paul uses the phrase “modest apparel” to describe the appropriate mode of attire for women. To understand the meaning of this phrase, we must consult the original Greek. The word modest is translated from the Greek kosmios and simply means orderly, modest, sensible, or decent. Apparel, however, is a much more significant word. The Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines it as follows:

 

Strong’s NT 2689: Apparel καταστολή (katastole)

1. properly, a lowering, letting down

2. in Biblical Greek, a garment let down

 

It’s important to note that apparel (Greek: katastole) is actually a compound word comprised of a preposition (kata) and a noun (stole). Kata simply refers to something that is “let down” or “lowered”, like a garment lowered from the shoulders, while stole was a floor-length robe worn by many ancient Romans. Notice:

 

Strong’s #2596 (kata)

Definition: down

Original Word: κατά

Part of Speech: preposition

Transliteration: kata

Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ah')

Short Definition: down from

General Meaning: against, down from

 

Strong’s #4749 (stolḗ) A long, flowing robe worn by the elite (people of high station, wealth). "4749 (stolḗ) is a long robe, worn by the upper classes in the east" (Souter), "especially flowing raiment, a festal robe" (A-S).

 

Stola: A floor-length dress with straps (or sometimes, long sleeves) that is worn over a tunic. —Wikipedia

 

History: The stola was a staple of fashion in ancient Rome spanning from the early Roman Republic through the Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire into the first millennium. It was a long, pleated dress, worn over an undergarment called a tunic or tunica intima (the Roman version of a slip). —Wikipedia

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Adam Clarke's classic Bible commentary:

“'That women adorn themselves in modest apparel’– Και τας γυναικας ες καταστολη κοσμιω …. The apostle seems to refer here to different parts of the Grecian and Roman dress. The στολη, stola, seems to have been originally very simple. It was a long piece of cloth, doubled in the middle, and sewed up on both sides, leaving room only for the arms; at the top, a piece was cut out, or a slit made, through which the head passed. It hung down to the feet, both before and behind, and was girded with the zona round the body, just under the breasts. It was sometimes made with, sometimes without, sleeves; and, that it might sit the better, it was gathered on each shoulder with a band or buckle. Some of the Greek women wore them open on each side, from the bottom up above the knee, so as to discover a part of the thigh. These were termed φαινομηριδες, showers (discoverers) of the thigh; but it was, in general, only young girls or immodest women who wore them thus.

 

“The καταστολη seems to have been the same as the pallium or mantle, which, being made nearly in the form of the stola, hung down to the waist, both in back and front, was gathered on the shoulder with a band or buckle, had a hole or slit at top for the head to pass through, and hung loosely over the stola, without being confined by the zona or girdle. Representations of these dresses may be seen in Lens’ Costume des Peuples de l’Antiquité, fig. 11, 12, 13, and 16. A more modest and becoming dress than the Grecian was never invented; it was, in a great measure, revived in England about the year 1805, and in it, simplicity, decency, and elegance were united; but it soon gave place to another mode, in which frippery and nonsense once more prevailed. It was too rational to last long; and too much like religious simplicity to be suffered in a land of shadows, and a world of painted outsides.”

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With the above in mind, here are some pertinent points to consider in relation to katastole:

 

•  The English word “apparel” is a poor generic translation of katastole.

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•  Katastole is a very specific description of attire and refers to the Roman stola.

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•  The above references describe it as a long flowing robe or garment extending to the floor.

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•  Katastole is so specialized that it only occurs *ONCE* in the entire New Testament.

 

•  1 Timothy 2:9 contrasts katastole with its generic Greek counterpart himatismos. In this passage, katastole describes a specific kind of garment, while himatismos is generically applied to all clothing. For example, himatismos is translated into English as “array”—"not with costly array". Paul advises the women of the Church to dress in “modest apparel” (katastole), but not in costly clothing (himatismos).

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•  The New Testament Greek provides several instances where clothing is described in general terms, like the following:

 

1. array—himatismos (1 Tim. 2:10)

2. raiment—esthes (Jas. 2:2)

3. garment—himation (Mar. 5:27)

4. clothing—enduma (Mat. 7:15)

 

If Paul was describing a generic form of dress, he could have chosen any of the above when teaching the appropriate mode of clothing for women…but he didn’t.

 

•  If we transliterate the phrase “modest apparel”, 1 Timothy 2:9 would read like this: In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in decent (or orderly) long flowing garments, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.

 

In summary, we can be sure of the following. Paul cared enough about this subject to provide practical guidance to safeguard the Church's standard of holiness from being compromised by immodest dress. Therefore, he advised women to cloth themselves in modest, flowing garments. We can assume he did so to eliminate sexual impropriety. After all, few will deny the fact that men are sexually aroused by their eyes and that women dressed in a promiscuous manner only serve to amplify this tendency. 

 

(B) Jewelry

Some Christians may argue that Paul was not prohibiting the wearing of jewelry in 1 Timothy 2:9 but merely advising against the placing of outer adornment and ornaments ahead of spiritual virtue. But this is only partially true. Even though we might debate the exact meaning of Paul’s instruction, there is sufficient evidence elsewhere in Scripture to suggest that Christians should not wear jewelry simply for the sake of decorating their bodies. To understand why, consider the following biblical principles that are violated by this practice:

 

Moderation & Humility

The Old Testament permitted the obvious expression of opulence in areas of dress, material possession, and property. Hardly did it condemn those who wore their wealth visibly or flaunted their riches. But the New Testament maintains a much higher standard. Christians are called to preference the poor (Mat. 20:16; Luk. 14:13; 1 Cor. 1:27; Jas. 2:5) and practice qualities such as discretion (1 Tim. 2:9-10;1 Pet. 3:3-4), moderation (Php. 4:5), and humility— not doing anything for “vainglory” (Php. 2:3).

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Equality

The New Testament promotes the principle of equality rather than social status (Jas. 2:2). Historically, jewelry has often served as a symbol of status and distinction, which is antithetical to the spirit of humility emphasized in the New Testament's teachings.

 

Modesty

The opposite of modesty is vanity. The Bible encourages the attitude of modesty but condemns vanity: "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way" (Psa. 119:37). Vain people are often absorbed with superficial pursuits such as outward appearance and self-promotion (Eph. 4:17; 1 Pet. 1:18).

 

Financial Thriftiness

Jesus challenged the rich young ruler to sell his excess possessions and give to the poor, emphasizing the eternal value of generosity over material wealth (Mat 19:21). In light of this, jewelry can be seen as an unnecessary luxury—a use of resources that could be redirected toward more meaningful causes, such as helping those in need or advancing God’s kingdom.

 

Christian Piety

Idolatry stands in stark contrast to true piety. While the world fixates on wealth, luxury, and self-indulgence, Christian piety directs its focus toward spiritual priorities, rejecting the vain lifestyle of materialism. Genuine piety reflects a heart dedicated to God, seeking to glorify Him rather than pursuing worldly ambitions that conflict with His will. Jesus warned against esteeming what the world glorifies, reminding us that such things are often detestable in God’s sight: "For that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God" (Lk 16:15). As followers of Christ, we are called to engage in spiritual pursuits that honor Him, living distinct from the fleeting desires of the world.

 

Based on the above principles, it's important to question our motives for wearing jewelry. What we may discover is that adorning ourselves with jewelry is not only vain, but also costly and emblematic of the world’s idolatry.

 

(C) Makeup

Like jewelry, makeup is another vain practice that is clearly condemned when considering the New Testament principles previously outlined. Even the Old Testament highlights the use of make up in a negative light. Consider the story of Jezebel. As queen of Israel, Jezebel was also the high priestess of Baal. She was known for her brazen idolatry and many acts of evil. When Jehu came to enact the wrath of God upon the house of Ahab (2 Kin. 9:30), she painted her face in hopes of intimidating him. This was the mark of her pagan identity and she sought to disarm God's servant with her status.

 

Clearly, the wearing of makeup is unbecoming for a woman of godly character, as it often reflects attitudes of pride, vanity, and discontentment with our natural God-given appearance. Women who wear makeup do so to either conceal or exaggerate their true image because they are dissatisfied with how God made them. How sad!

 

The 1956 edition of Encyclopedia Americana provides the following pertinent info in regards to makeup:

 

“The last two decades have seen make-up progress from its early category of woman’s conceit to become an art and an integral part of feminine beauty and psychology. Chief credit for this about-face and the widespread use of cosmetics should go to the motion picture industry, which set new standards of beauty and…brought new products and principles of application and use to the world’s women” (Encyclopedia Americana, Vol. 18, 1956 Edit., p. 157).

 

(D) “Braided” Hair

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair…" (1 Tim. 2:9).

 

Paul’s instruction pertaining to braided hair is often misunderstood. The type of braid referred to in the above passage is very distinct from the common braid used today by women and girls. In fact, the braid in Paul's day was a Flavian braid only present in the ancient Roman-Grecian world. It has since become extinct. A Flavian braid involved weaving colored strands of wool and jewelry into the hair. It was a rather expensive ordeal handled by special servants that only the wealthy could afford. To better understand the Flavian braid, notice the following quote from Wikipedia:

 

“During the Flavian period (79-81 CE), the daughter of Roman Emperor Titus, Julia, created lavish up-dos consisting of wire frames, and twisted braids and curls studded with jewelry of every kind. These elaborate hairstyles eventually became popular amongst wealthy Roman women and became even more dramatic in later Roman periods. The more elaborate the style, the more it indicated a woman’s wealth and available leisure time.”

 

After reading the above, we can easily appreciate why Paul would condemn such an over-the-top practice. Clearly, he could not encourage Christian equality, moderation, and humility while still allowing women to openly flaunt their excessive Flavian braids. Indeed, equality could never exist in an atmosphere where the rich are permitted to display their wealth to the maximum around the poor of the Church. Paul’s advice here is certainly appropriate.

 

Comparing 1 Timothy 2:9-10 with 1 Peter 3:3-4

The passages in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 and 1 Peter 3:3-4 contain very similar instruction in respect to women's conduct and external appearance. Yet the two also differ from each other when comparing their overall thrust. For instance, Peter's text is meant to instruct Christian women on the matter of godly behavior, while Paul's is meant to provide specific guidelines on modest dress. Nevertheless, it is tempting for Christians to use Peter’s instruction on women’s behavior to invalidate Paul’s guidelines on modesty. But to better appreciate the differences and similarities between these two texts, let's examine them individually, starting with Peter's:

 

"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (1 Pet. 3:3-4).

 

Peter starts out by warning women not to be excessively concerned with their physical looks. He does so while pointing to the basic elements of outward appearance such as the “plaiting of the hair” and “putting on of apparel.” Now truly this is every woman’s weakness. But while society is obsessed with physical appearance, Christian women should have a different focus. Their attention should be concentrated on character and spiritual things, rather than physical beauty. So it is clear that Peter's intention is not to condone or condemn any of the cited examples of outward adornment. What he does, instead, is instruct women to carefully prioritize their lifestyle around godly virtues, not merely external appearance.

 

But what about Paul’s instruction? Let’s take a closer look at what he has to say: "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; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (1 Tim. 2:9- 10).

 

As usual, Paul’s instruction is more comprehensive but shares a common theme with Peter’s—external appearance and godly character. Paul is also more specific and gives greater attention to detail. Not only does he advise women to prioritize matters of inner beauty (such as godly character), but he goes a step further by providing clear guidelines on women's modest dress. To better interpret Paul’s message, here’s a simple, yet accurate paraphrase of the text:

 

“I would have women dress themselves in modest long garments, with propriety and sobriety, not with extravagantly braided hair or gold or pearls or extremely expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

 

We should carefully note that Paul’s instruction is highly specific and meant to condemn the following pagan practices:

 

• immodest attire

• Flavian braided hair

• Jewelry and expensive clothing (meant to flaunt one’s wealth and status)

 

So, as tempting as it may be, Peter's instruction is not to be superimposed upon Paul's, nor should we ignore the moral guidelines found in either of their valuable instruction.

 

Women’s Dress Summarized

The doctrine of Christian modesty is also a lesson in chastity and respect. Modest women are more likely to remain chaste while respecting the weaknesses of the men around them. Many careless women have been the cause of moral failure in society even though the motive may not have been intentional. Since this teaching represents a moral issue, it should therefore reflect the practice of every Christian home and Church.

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Here's a summary of biblical principles related to our study thus far: 

 

Appropriately Concealed: Since God designed the woman's body to be sexually appealing, it is important to dress in a way that appropriately conceals her form and guards her against the natural tendencies of men. Loose blouses worn over dresses or skirts best achieve this goal. Dresses or skirts that are short (above the ankles), tight-fitting, sheer, low-necked, sleeveless, or otherwise designed to accentuate the female form are dishonoring and serve only to provoke lust. In today’s culture, low necklines, tight dresses, slit skirts, and bare shoulders may be common, but they do not promote the values of God's Kingdom.

 

The issue of pants is also important to consider. Women should avoid wearing pants, as they do not meet the standard of modesty outlined in 1 Timothy 2:9-10, which calls for long, robe-like garments. Furthermore, wearing pants contradicts the principle established in Deuteronomy 22:5, which forbids cross-dressing, as pants are traditionally a male garment.

 

Modest & Simple: Following the latest trends and styles is neither practical, nor modest. And while women are not required to dress distastefully or in an unattractive manner, they should still tailor their wardrobe to be fairly simple and non-glamorous. 

 

We warn against stylish and trendy clothing because more than anything else they show that our pursuits are superficial and vain, rather than spiritual. Jewelry and expensive clothing is a sure way to rack up status and prominence in society, but not in God's Kingdom. It only creates a greater rift between the rich and the poor in the Body of Christ, and this is contrary to the teaching of equality and humility.

 

Beautiful on the Inside: Godly women are adorned with good character, virtue, and wholesome pursuits. They are discrete and sensible. They know how to avoid flirtatious behaviour and immoral conduct. And a woman that is beautiful on the inside is content with her natural outward appearance. Therefore she does not desire to exaggerate her looks or misrepresent her appearance with makeup.

 

Men

To be entirely fair, much of the same dress standards that apply to women also apply to men. The Christian man avoids appearing publicly in shorts; he keeps his shirt on his back; and is careful to see that his whole family guards purity by being modestly attired.

 

Tight-fitting clothing for men has become a growing trend, and the clothing industry seems intent on normalizing unisex fashion, blurring the lines between masculine and feminine attire. This movement runs counter to God’s design, as outlined in Deuteronomy 22:5, which prohibits cross-dressing. For this reason, men should avoid tight-fitting pants and shirts, opting instead for clothing that fits properly without being overly form-fitting. 

 

In regards to men’s shorts, we must consider the evidence in Exodus 28. Old Testament priests were commanded to wear linen breeches to cover their nakedness, defined as the area from the loins to the thighs:

 

"And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach" (Ex. 28:42).

 

If the priests were required to cover this specific region of their body, we should ask whether it is appropriate for men to wear shorts in public. Moreover, since the New Testament refers to Christians as a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6), Christian men should strive to adhere to the same modesty standard applied to the priests while ensuring that their clothing is adequately concealing.

 

CONCLUSION

By Harold S. Martin

Why must we follow the fashions of the day? Suppose we are peculiar, what of it? It would be a thousand times better to retain our modesty and please God, than to adopt a manner of dress that borders on the immoral. There must be a dividing line between the Christian and the world. You say, “But no one is going to tell me what kind of clothes to wear.” Yet every one of us (consciously or unconsciously) dresses according to someone’s pattern. We either get our pattern of dress from the Word of God (as understood by godly men and women), or we get it from the world and worldly-minded people. Whatever fashion decrees, no matter how ridiculous or how immodest it is, that’s the goddess that many are worshiping, and this world is dictating what to wear. Never say, “No one is going to tell me what kind of clothes to wear.” Someone is telling you—never forget that. 

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