Modest Apparel 1Timothy 2:9-10 I took this scripture deliberately because it was written by Apostle Paul to Timothy who was pastoring a gentile Church at Ephesus, a New Testament Church. Take note that while this teaching was directed to women, we need to recognize that the need to dress modestly also applies to men. In the previous verse, instructions are given to men about prayer but women are also to pray. But the statement of the problem here is what constitutes a modest apparel and how do we know what clothing is modest and what is not? It is true that the world is composed of many different cultural settings. If we ask what is the meaning of Modest, we will all differ depending on our individual backgrounds. Especially in this age of relativism, if you ask what is truth we will certainly differ till at last we conclude that truth is relative. What is submission, our submission here in Africa can be interpreted as abusive in Europe. But thank God, our standard is the Bible, truth is defined in it as well as submission and modest among many other words. There are several passages in the Old Testament that help provide God’s definition of what He considers modest. As a rule of First Mention, we draw our word meanings mostly from the Book of Genesis. Nakedness in Genesis is nakedness elsewhere, the same applies to modest The Bible says that Adam and Eve “were both naked and were not ashamed” (Gen. 2:25). After both Adam and Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the text says, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked” (Gen. 3:7). In an attempt to remedy this situation, they “sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings” (v. 7). After making these loin coverings, “they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden” (v. 8). The Lord called to Adam (v. 9) and Adam explained why he and Eve hid themselves: “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself” (v. 10). Despite the “loin coverings,” Adam and Eve were still “naked.” Loin ndicho chiuno, I hope tiri tose. The Lord then asked Adam: “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” (v. 11). God knew where they acquired the knowledge of what constituted nakedness. That is clear from the way He asked this question. They ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This knowledge of good and evil would include knowledge of proper/improper coverings. With their newfound knowledge, they understood that being partially clothed (loin covering) was still to be considered naked. After confronting Adam, Eve, and the serpent, “the Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them” (v. 21). God provided proper clothing. Adam and Eve were no longer naked. But what exactly were these garments? What did God cover so they would no longer be naked? According to Strong’s Dictionary, the Hebrew word means a garment that went from the shoulders on down. God covered their chests and backs. After doing this, they were “clothed” and no longer “naked.” But how far below the waist needed to be covered? To the ankle? The knee? Halfway down the thigh? Let’s look at other passages that will help us determine this. In Exodus 28:42, God was giving instructions regarding the clothing for the priests. “You shall make for them linen breeches to cover their bare flesh (nakedness, KJV); they shall reach from the loins even to the thighs.” What was considered nakedness? Exposing the loins and/or the thighs. As I further develop to issue, lets turn to Isaiah 47:2-3. This passage says: “Remove your veil, strip off the skirt, uncover the leg (thigh, KJV), cross the rivers. Your nakedness will be uncovered, your shame also will be exposed.” When one’s thigh is uncovered, they are considered naked. From these passages we can deduce that if the chest, back, loins, or thighs are exposed, one is naked, by God’s definition. In order to dress in “modest apparel” (1 Tim. 2:9), we need to be sure we cover those areas. Now coming to whether it be a skirt or a trousers, surely the Bible is silent. Here wisdom is critical. I suggest that one must think Global and act Contextual. If a Government minister wants to address vanaSamanyika, he or she must invest in knowing how to approach them kuti vamugamuchire. Kana ndichiparidza kwaMurambinda handishandisi ma illustrations eCricket. Environment therefore can dictate fashion and presentation.Yes, God looks on the inside, but everyone else has to look at the outside. The Bible says Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.(1 Cor 8:13) When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. v12 says. In my conclusion, let me just sum up and say modesty in dress reveals a modesty and godliness of the heart, attitudes that should be the desire of all women (and men) who live to please and honor God. I thank you.
Posted on: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 09:12:20 +0000