We find the biblical instruction to “dress modestly” in 1 Timothy 2:9. As a pastoral epistle, 1 Timothy is an instruction letter and encouragement written by Paul to Timothy, who was supervising the church in Ephesus. Paul called for prayers, petitions, intercessions and thanksgiving to be made for everyone so that we can live serene and quiet lives in all holiness and godliness, as detailed in 1 Timothy 2:1. He discusses God’s desire for everyone to be saved and come to know the truth, describing Jesus’ sacrifice and His mediatorial work between God and humanity.
Then, he writes that he wants men to pray and lift holy hands without arguing, and he wants the women to dress modestly, with propriety and decency, adorning themselves with good deeds appropriate for women who say they worship God. Women shouldn’t adorn themselves with elaborate hairstyles, expensive clothes, or gold or pearls. These commands for appearance and behavior are linked to the worship of God and public witness. First Peter 3:1-4 gives parallel instructions, saying that wives should submit to their husbands. Peter also gives instructions to husbands about being considerate of their wives, who are heirs with you of the precious gift of life, as detailed in 1 Peter 3:7.
At the center of dressing modestly is respect for God. Instead of seeking attention through appearance, godly women seek to glorify God. This same principle also applies to men. Both men and women are called to honor God in every aspect of their lives, including how they dress. Instead of emphasizing a societally impressive exterior, believers should grow in godly character. Instead of being known for their hairstyle or clothing, they should be known for how they honor God. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus told His followers that they were the light of the world, so they should let their light shine before others so that they can see their good deeds and glorify the Father in heaven.
Should a Christian woman wear a bikini?
Whether or not to wear a bikini is a question most women struggle with, but for the Christian woman, the problem takes on additional consequences. God calls women to be modest, which means they shouldn’t draw attention to themselves, as detailed in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 and He also calls us to purity in 1 Timothy 4:12. The question of whether or not wearing a bikini is consistent with purity and modesty. The faithfulness of a daughter of God isn’t ultimately evaluated by what she wears but by her walk in the Spirit, as detailed in Galatians 5:16. Simultaneously, what she wears affects others and sends a message. A biblical principle regarding contentious problems is that we should love others and avoid doing what we know will cause them to fall.
In that regard, we should think about how our clothing choices affect others in their walk with God, their thought lives, and their insight into our witness about who God is. We can and should limit our liberties to help others when we can. A woman’s motivation for wearing a bikini is also essential. Is a bikini truly the most appropriate and comfortable outfit for the time? Or is wearing a bikini meant to draw attention? To provoke compliments? To fit in with the crowd? To please others? Some motivations are better than others. Another thought for the woman wearing a bikini is the setting. Is she spending time alone in her backyard? Is she with her husband or her girlfriends, or is she at a pool party with co-workers of both genders? Some places are more appropriate for a bikini than others.
Whether wearing a bikini or not, our bodies belong to God and should be used for His glory, not ours. In Romans 12:1, we read that we should offer our bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God. When we offer our bodies to God as living sacrifices, we’re telling the Lord that our bodies are His and He should use them for His glory.
It’s about the inside, not the outside.
Modesty also involves respect for others. Our outward appearance does say things to the outside world. When believers are overly concerned about the externals, like flaunting beauty and wealth or flashing cultural status symbols, the world misunderstands God. When we dress in “respectable clothing” with modesty, we better show the truth of God. We better communicate that our worth is in Him, not in worldly pursuits. Our appearance also affects our fellow believers. First Corinthians 10:31-33 reminds us that we should do everything for the glory of God. We should be aware of how our apparel choices affect our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we should be willing to lay down our rights for the sake of their spiritual maturation when necessary. We shouldn’t purposefully encourage them to sin.
Dressing moderately typically requires us to check our motives. Are we dressing this way to draw attention to ourselves and feel superior to others? If so, we should check our hearts and potentially change our clothes. It’s also essential to consider the situational and cultural context. For example, in the U.S., it would be arrogant to wear a formal gown at a soup kitchen, but the same dress might be appropriate at a charity fundraising event. Our clothes should display a right understanding of God, a right understanding of ourselves, and respect for the people around us. Proverbs 31:30 reminds us that charm is fraudulent and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears God should be praised. Let our clothing choices be grounded in glorifying the Lord and focusing on that which is of external worth.
