What Would Bachelor Paul Know About How I Should Dress?
“I hate to say it, but there’s one part of my Bible I think I can justify ignoring. To me, the verses are just out of sync with society today. Some people try to read too much into the verses and give them more weight than they deserve.”
“Like, who cares whether I have my hair elaborately and ingeniously styled to showcase it better? And if I want to show off my body contours, I will – that’s my business. Guys just need to learn better self-control. I’ll wear skimpy tight clothing if I want to and if my cleavage or my bare belly bothers Christian men, they can turn their eyes away. It may take me a long time to pour myself into my clothing, but I like the sculpted look I see in the mirror and I feel good about myself. And I’ll wear eye-catching head coverings and pricey clothes and decorative jewelry if I want to.”
“Modesty! Modesty! Modesty. I think I’ll gag the next time I hear that word. Nobody dictates to me what I’ll wear or how I should look. Paul was such a nit-picker! He should have focused on bigger issues. Besides, wasn’t he a bachelor? Wouldn’t that affect his credibility when it comes to style and women? I’m going to check the verses out again.”
“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.” (1Timothy 2:9-10).
“Ah, that’s the outdated King James Version. It’s so old fashioned. I’m sure other translations lighten things up a bit. I’m going to check out the Contemporary English Version.”
“I would like for women to wear modest and sensible clothes. They should not have fancy hairdos, or wear expensive clothes, or put on jewelry made of gold or pearls.” CEV 1 Timothy 2:9.
“What is going on here?!! That’s almost even more blunt than the KJV. I’ll check the New Living Translation – surely it will be more with it!”
“And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes.” NLT 1 Timothy 2:9
“Okay – I rest my case. The Apostle Paul in every version seems to have an aversion to women. Peter – wasn’t he married? I think I’ll just stick with what he says about women. What does he say?”
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. KJV (1Peter 3:3-4)
“I can’t believe it. He’s no better … and that old King James Version sure doesn’t help matters. I’m going to check the English Standard Version.”
“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” ESV (1Peter 3:3-4)
“I don’t like that version either – it’s too conservative. I’ll try one more. Maybe it will cut me some slack.”
“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” NLT (1Peter 3:3-4)
“I give up. I guess it’s in the Bible and it’s not just Paul!”
Dear Child of God, you’re right. It’s not just Paul. It’s God.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”
(2Timothy 3:16)