1 Timothy 2:9–10

“in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.”
‭‭- I Timothy‬ ‭2:9-10‬

When Paul wrote to Timothy, he was giving him clear instructions so he could set things in order in the church at Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). And part of that order had to do with how women were presenting themselves in the house of God.

Ephesus was not an easy place to pastor. It was a wealthy city, full of status, fashion, and outward display. It was also spiritually polluted—idolatrous worship was led mostly by women, especially in the temple of Artemis. And some of those habits, attitudes, and cultural influences were beginning to
creep into the church.

So when Paul instructed Timothy, in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,… he was addressing an issue directly connected to setting things in order in the house of God. These teachings have faced resistance for generations mostly from women and even to this day, many still push back whenever modesty is mentioned in church. The question of how women should dress when entering the house of God continues to create concern, questions, and sometimes even conflict in many congregations.

Apostle Paul helps us and guides us in understanding how can a woman dress modestly in the church? The secret is we should adorn ourselves with propriety and moderation.

To dress with propriety means is a a word that carries the sense of reverence, shamefacedness, and respect and we must ask ourselves this questions before we enter the house of God:

• Does this clothes honor the LORD Jesus Christ?
• Does this clothes show that I respect His house? 
• Am I wearing something far too fancy or far too revealing? 
• Am I dressing as if I am entering a holy place, or as if I am just going out to impress people?

When we attend events such as weddings, graduations, or formal gatherings, we are told what attire is expected, and we gladly follow it. Yet when it comes to the house of God where reverence and holiness should matter even more, many become resistant to the idea of dressing with intentional respect. We follow dress codes anywhere else without hesitation; so why do we struggle when gathering before the LORD Jesus Christ?

Paul then adds moderation is a word meaning self-control, soundness of mind, sobriety. And as women, we naturally ask:

• Am I being ruled by fashion, by my flesh, or by a need for attention?
• Is this too showy, too tight, too revealing, or too expensive for someone who says she follows the LORD Jesus Christ?
• Am I choosing this because it is simple and honouring—or because I want to be noticed?” 

Paul helps us grasp the intention behind his instruction regarding moderation, which calls women to examine the motives behind their choices. He adds, “not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing.” These things are not sinful in themselves, but in the culture of Ephesus women often used outward adornment to display wealth, status, and extravagance. Yet in the house of God, such displays were unnecessary and out of place, because we come into God’s house not to attract attention or to distract others, but to learn about the LORD Jesus, receive His Word, and enjoy fellowship with the brethren in a way that edifies rather than puffs up.

Paul was correcting the heart behind such choices. Even in our everyday lives, we recognize when someone is overdressed for the occasion. We know it would be inappropriate to wear a white dress to someone else’s wedding, or to show up to a graduation ceremony covered in gold from head to toe. And if we are simply running errands, we understand it would be excessive to wear high heels, heavy perfume, expensive dresses, and designer bags. In these situations, we naturally discern that the intention is no longer about the purpose of the moment, it is about their own motives.

Resisting these instructions is not simply resisting Paul—it is resisting the Word of God itself. Paul may have penned these commands, but he did so under the inspiration and authority of the Holy Spirit for the strengthening, correction, and order of the church. These were not Paul’s personal opinions, they were God’s guidance for His people.

Paul was not attempting to silence all women. Rather, he was addressing certain women who were rejecting correction and creating disorder, especially in the area of outward appearance and conduct inside the house of God. This issue was serious enough that even the apostle Peter spoke of it,

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— but rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” (1 Peter 3:3–4)

The fact that both Paul and Peter confronted the same problem shows that modesty, humility, and a teachable spirit in women were not cultural suggestions but they were spiritual matters of concern in the early church.

If God repeats a warning in Scripture more than once, it means the matter is serious and worthy of attention.

Here we begin to understand what Paul means when he says, “which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” As women, there is nothing wrong with wanting to look presentable. But when outward appearance becomes our focus—when it draws attention to us instead of pointing hearts toward God, or when it becomes more important than our walk with Him then it becomes a problem. I believe this is exactly what Paul meant, because many women today are more caught up with how they look on the outside than with building their inner being before God.

The Lord said to Samuel, “For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” In God’s sight, our outward appearance is not nearly as important as the condition of our heart, because our clothing will not love and follow Him, our heart will.

Many women claim to be Proverbs 31 women, but when we truly study that chapter, we learn that a virtuous woman is not describe by her outward beauty. Instead, She is described by her character, behavior, conduct, and good works of a godly woman toward her husband, her children, and her community. Her worth is found in her fear of the LORD rather than in her appearance. And as the chapter ends, it teaches us that charm can deceive and physical beauty fades, but the woman who fears the Lord, the woman who loves God with her whole being and desires to please God more than herself or anyone else that is the woman God says will be praised (Proverbs 31:30).

Throughout Scripture, the women who were honored were not praised for their outward beauty, but for their works, their faith, and their sacrifice unto God. What matters most is our character that reflects Jesus, our behavior and conduct that glorify our Heavenly Father, and our good works that show the evidence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. These are the things that holds value, not our outward appearance. Because in the end, our identity is not found in our clothing, it is found in the LORD Jesus Christ.