How literally DO you take the bible? Instead of braided hair and fancy jewelry do you substitute that with 'no tube tops or tight shorts"?
2007-03-07 14:10:58 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
1 Tim 2:9,10 " 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."
Braided hair (fancy hair styles) and jewelry is forbidden because it is a show of pride. Tube tops & tight shorts would fit in the modesty category.
I suggest standing before your mirror or closet and asking God what he thinks is inappropriate. Ask Him to tell you what you should wear for the day. But do it with a heart seeking for the truth - He'll impress you in the right direction. I was disgusted at all this modesty business years ago and that's what I eventually did. He opened my eyes to a few things.
2007-03-07 14:38:14 · answer #1 · answered by V 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wow. This is seriously SO ironic that you asked this question right now. No joke, my dad and I were JUST discussing this exact verse the other day, and debating about whether ALL of the Bible is literal to this day and age, or whether some of it is literal and some contextual.
I believe that this particular verse is contextual to the time period these people were in. And what's more, I don't even necessarily believe that this was a command, as much as it was a suggestion under Paul's authority. Whereas, 3 verses down, in verse 12, he makes a specific COMMAND to the people in the area of spirtual authority. The reason I say that is this: Paul says in verse 9, "I also WANT women to dress modestly...", but in verse 12, he says, "I DO NOT PERMIT a woman to teach...".
So in answer to your question, I think the entire Bible is meant to be taken literally, in context to the time period we're in (if that makes any sense ;) ). In other words, it just depends on what it's referring to specifically as to how we're going to apply it in the here-and-now. Like the example you used about the way we dress today, I do believe the reference to modesty in verse 9 is to be taken literally (no ifs, ands or buts). But wearing jewerly and doing our hair, like I said before, wasn't even a command in the first place. So do we take that particular part literally? I think that's up to the person reading it. If one person wants to take it literally and apply it to their life, fine. And if another person says, "I don't necessarily have a conviction from the Lord to do exactly that", then fine, as well. :)
(Of course, there are certain things that are and have always been meant to be taken literally...the basics of Christianity, that is, and the commandments)
2007-03-07 14:46:01 · answer #2 · answered by Jenn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The intention of the verse is to exhort women to pay attention to how they are adorning their inner person, "but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God."
(I Peter 3:1-6)
It is not forbidding these other things, merely stressing where priorities should lie.
2007-03-07 14:25:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Some of the "fashion" mentioned in the bible was the clothing of prostitutes. It could translate into some clothing that would be considered immodest today. I've seen some stuff on the beach, I thought was illegal.
2007-03-07 14:16:37 · answer #4 · answered by Eartha Q 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sorry don't know which bible verse you may be referring to but as for females/women dressing in a modest fashion perhaps this would lead to fewer sexual crimes than wearing skimpy, little or tight clothes, out in public hence bringing certain items to view. There is an old saying " out of sight out of mind ".
2007-03-07 14:19:02 · answer #5 · answered by S.O.S. 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Live in modesty in the custom you live. Do not do anything to excite men's passions. That is the intent of scripture.
2007-03-07 14:19:39 · answer #6 · answered by rapturefuture 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
modesty is not one of your strong points is it?
What GOD is saying is that outward beauty takes away from the inner beauty. The inner beauty should be evident especially in worship.
2007-03-07 14:13:26 · answer #7 · answered by Tribble Macher 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That should be added. You don't want to look like a prostitute. In Bible times, the prostitutes adorned themselves.
2007-03-07 14:14:17 · answer #8 · answered by RB 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I don't think they realize it really forbids braided hair
2007-03-07 14:15:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be modest means in this case to not draw attention to your body.
2007-03-07 14:14:16 · answer #10 · answered by Jed 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋