What is Biblical Modesty?
 

I've seen several posts that reference 'biblical modesty'. What exactly is biblical modesty? What does the Bible tell us about dressing modestly?

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

These are the only verses that I can think of off hand.


1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
1 Timothy 2:9 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;
1 Timothy 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

The only place I know of is in I Timothy where it says to wear "modest apparel" with "modest" meaning "decorous", which I understand as "in keeping with good etiquette/manners." You could probably expand on that by including the terms "shamefacedness" and "sobriety" when you try to decide what is modest and acceptable.

That's the only biblical modesty I know of. Modesty is subjective and relative to some extent, but then again, most of us know a brash, immodest woman when we see one. To that end, "immodest" has as much to do with attitude as it does with particular items of clothing, and the same is true for modesty.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Shamefacedness & sobriety are included for us already aren't they?

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Fig leaves.

:heeheehee

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

I meant if you include those terms in reference to apparel in particular.

"Shamefacedness" means to be bashful [toward men], and certain clothing would certainly be off limits under that definition.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

If it's good enough for God... it's good enough for me. :)

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

we grow lots of figs in Brazil...so just move over here....

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Was it good enough for God? :D

Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

It looks like He considered the fig leaf aprons to be equivalent to "unclothed." :coffee2

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

So we do know, biblically, whether God cares if we show our arms... how much of our leg should show.... etc, etc. Is there a biblical mandate that certain parts be disguised or covered.... or is it pretty much culturally defined?

I know some people who object to women wearing pants because they say it's not 'modest' because the shape of her backside is somewhat "shown". (even in pants which aren't tight) And yet no one objects to tops which show somewhat of a woman's shape, too, unless she's wearing a kimono or something.

Can we conclude biblically that a man shouldn't go shirtless?

Are there any clear-cut (or even vague) biblical guidelines on these things, or do we simply use good sense and good taste?

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

I've always wondered if it wasn't also due to the fact that fig leaves wouldn't have lasted very long. Leaves turn brown, brittle, and fall apart pretty quickly. God made them clothing that would last.

It does seem, though, that they went from a type of apron to some sort of 'coat'. But we don't know if the coat had sleeves, or how long it was.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

There was a poll on here recently that said 'I believe in Biblical Modesty'. Okay. What is that?

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

One more point... the Bible does indicate that nakedness is a shame. But at what point do we change from sufficiently clothed to nakedness?

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Since the Bible doesn't specify, we have to make up our own minds about what is modest and immodest within our culture, and what constitutes nakedness.

I think it was D4T who said his personal rule of thumb for his daughter was to not show anything she wouldn't be comfortable having touched. I like that. It seems reasonable.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Pretty sure Peter was toiling in that boat without a shirt on. Modesty in a church setting campared to modesty while out working on a farm or fishibng on a lake in my boat or subjective.

Whats modest on the beach or a cruise ship may not be modest at church or out to eat at a restuarant.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

That's a good rule of thumb. For myself, I simply don't show anything that I don't want anyone looking at!

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

And this is what started me on this line of thought. Many people would disagree with you... believe that the majority of the human body should be covered at all times, and believe that anything else is a sin.

In studying the Bible myself, I was surprised to find how little the Bible really says on the subject. I thought there might be some verses I had overlooked.

Not that I dress immodestly, I just like to know these things. ;)

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Just post pictures... then we will vote to determine if you are modest.
:ursofunny

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Seems I remember something about what it meant when a man "girded up his loins"

I think it meant that a man working in the feild or having need to run would tuck his long skirt up in his belt.

eems like this would be like a man wearing a modest pair of shorts in our culture today.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

That's true. The fig leaves were their idea. Clothes made of skins was God's idea.

THat's good because I could lose some real good friends if I went around with fig leaves. And fig leaves are itchy too.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

You'll have to take my word for it. ;)

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Some good verses:

Romans 12:1,2

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.


1Cor. 6:19,20

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Sooo... if we want true Biblical modesty (taking it to the illogical end that I've seen other things brought to) we should wear wool but not cotton--after all, God said plants weren't good enough. We need animal coverings.

That was TIC. I have heard it preached though, that coats or robes, "of course", go from the neck to the wrists to the ankles, and since God made Adam and Even coats of skins, then He must have covered them completely. I don't see that in scripture. Conversely, there are those who think that when the Hebrew children left Egypt, they borrowed Egyptian clothing, and while in Egypt they probably dressed somewhat as the Egyptians did... which wouldn't be modest to anyone in today's American culture. I'm sure Joseph probably did. What choice does a slave have in how he/she dresses?

The idea of covering seems to qualify differently in most holiness churches for different genders and different parts of the body. I've been told that pants "reveal the thigh" and that's immodest for women. But I've seen women sit with legs sprawled and skirt tucked between their legs, women who'd stand in the wind in a flimsy fabric that clung to them or flipped up in the breeze, and skirts so tight that the "thigh" was plenty revealed. My former church taught sleeves below the elbow, so women would get a skin tight knit shirt to wear under shorter-sleeved blouses in the summer, or would cut up tights and run a small part of the tube from the leg of the tights up over their elbows so that their elbows were "covered" with the tights. IMO, their elbows were revealed, they were just a different color when they were. If a woman walked into church in a short skirt with tights under it, the pastor would have told her she needed to cover herself. Her legs, though would have been just as covered as the other women's elbows.

My guess is that termperance---self-control--is more of a key to "Biblical modesty" than specific rules. Rules can be worked around and loopholes found. Self-control negates the need for rules and closes the loopholes.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

You've tried them? :heeheehee

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

I've heard that, or something similar. But I don't see why that doesn't apply to men, too. As a matter of fact, the times that the Bible talks about nakedness, or revealing the thigh, it usually was talking about men.

I've also heard - 'Well, men like to look at women, women don't really like to look at men' - so that's why it's okay for men to wear pants, but not women. I'm sorry, but I've heard PLENTY of women talking about how a man looked in a pair of jeans. I think that if God doesn't want the shape of the legs and bottom outlined that it would apply to men, too.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

No. I was just "fig"uring that this is how it would be. :)

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Good grief, how hard can it really be to know how to dress ourselves? Well according to some pretty hard, and to others, not so much.

Don't reveal any skin, or how much skin can we reveal? No thighs or elbows apparently, they are for women a no-no. But okay for men.
Don't wear clothing so tight, it reveals our shape. Especially our thighs, behinds, or elbows. Again, a no-no for women. But okay for men.

So can we modestly cover ourselves and still look fashionable or attractive? Which is the real problem for women, I think. How close to this line of being immodest can I get before I cross it?

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Even better in context.



I love scripture. I love the word of God. But I have a saying. There's a difference between making the work talk and letting the word speak.

The scriptures are not like ingredients for a pie which can be applied anywhere they "taste good". Scripture should be taken for what it is actually saying.

I know these scriptures are used in a context of clothing quite often in pentecostal circles but it is clear, to me at least, that this is not the subject being discussed when these words were penned and I feel that it is important to keep the application of the word in line with the intent which it was being applied when those words were penned.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

:thumbsup:thumbsup



I cant say how many times Ive heard Rom. 12:2 quoted, with the following reply being "Now that scripture there is talking about the outward!" (always only using it to speak of outward holiness dress)



Another intersting thought, IMO, concerning Adam and Eve, and the covering of animal skin in the garden replacing what they were attempting to do to hide their nakedness, is also a type and shadow for being covered in the NT by Christ.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Jesus came to his disciples after his resurrection in Luke 24.

Luke 24:44,45
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

He then further instructed them.

46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

A few days later in the city of Jerusalem, they received the Promise of the
Father who would lead them and guide them into all truth.

They that are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. We hear
the Word of God. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Then we received the Promise of the Father, which opens our understanding
to the Word of God. Too many lean upon their own understanding. God's Word
says NOT to do that! Let (allow, permit) the Spirit open our understanding
that we might understand the Word.

We must also study to approve ourselves unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word.

Falla39

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Isn't that leaning on our own understanding when we interpret the scripture outside the intended meaning?

Isn't rightly dividing the word exactly what I was suggesting?

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

If we PRESENT our bodies a LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY and ACCEPTABLE unto
GOD, which is our REASONABLE service, with the leading of the HOLY GHOST,
we will know how to apply Biblical Modesty! The older women teaching the younger.

We will also know how to GLORIFY GOD in our BODIES and in our spirit, which
belong to God.

My late parents instructed me when I was a child. They "laid down the law"
so to speak. Those laws were the schoolmaster that brought me to Christ.
I became a "woMAN". I matured. I put away childish things. I am no longer
under the "law" that brought me to Christ. I willingly follow HIM, by His Spirit
that has dwelled (lived, made his abode) in me for over 50 yrs.

Falla39

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Leaning on our own understanding is when we try to figure out the intended
meaning with our own understanding. We must allow the Holy Ghost to open
our understanding to the interpretion. Sometimes that takes waiting on HIM.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

YES! You did well... :bliss

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Genesis 3:21 And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.


This is why I wear my biker leather all the time. Clothing from animal skin, just like the Bible says. :bliss

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

First of all, I agree with Falla that the older women should teach the younger women. One of the things that should be taught is appropriate behavior and dress. However, I do have a problem with it when those concepts are taken out of that casual atmosphere and made to be equivalent to the 10 Commandments or the teachings of Jesus. :rolleyes2

Secondly, I do agree that a principle can be drawn from a scripture and applied to many different areas that may not relate specifically to the original topic. Again, however, if you apply it that way, you can't then go back and teach from the scripture as if it applies specifically to one particular area. Well, you can, but it's inconsistent.

The TRUTH is, the Bible leaves modesty up to the individual and the individual situation. The PROBLEM is, many Christians are control freaks, and they can't handle it if someone else interprets a scripture differently than they do, or applies it differently than they do, if at all.

I say preach or teach what is found plainly in the Word, and then let the WORD convict people's hearts and lead them where they need to go. What often is really meant by "let the Holy Ghost lead you" is "let your pastor tell you what that verse means." Very few Apostolic churches let their congregants decide for themselves through prayer and Bible study what is modest or immodest dress and behavior. That's too big of a risk, and it's mainly risky because it could cause a congregation to fall outside of what is acceptable in the eyes of the pastors' peers.

(Disclaimer: I'm NOT opposed to pastoral authority, so let's not take that tangent.)

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Someone is opposed to pastoral authority.

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

:razz

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

Couldn't agree more!

Re: What is Biblical Modesty?
 

When I was speaking of my parents "laying down the law", that was just an expression
of they "trained us up in the way we SHOULD go". In other words we were disciplined in
the home as children. My late father happened to be our pastor for over 30 yrs. He taught
disciplines lifestyles. We taught our children, and they are teaching their children
disciplined lifestyles.

Due to our teaching as children, young adults, etc., we have been
married 51 yrs, have six adult "children", all married to their original spouses, 21 grand-
children, one great-grandchild. We all continue to attend church, live disciplined life-
styles, trust in the Living GOD! My late father was the authority in our home growing up,
teamed with our mother. We were taught to respect authority in the home first. We were
taught to obey the laws of our land, etc. We were taught to love God first and foremost.
Let God be true and not man.
Today my parents are gone, but I was taught to look unto Jesus, the Author and the Finisher
of our faith.

What were the Children of Israel commanded to teach their children!

Falla39