Biblical Dress Code
This post will discuss a scriptural perspective on modesty and dressing. The main points are taken from the book ‘Reflections of a Discerning Christian’ by Nelson Thomas. I have also added a few of my own points after meditating on the same verses.
Covering Nakedness
Genesis 3:7 - Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
Genesis 3:21 - Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
When Adam and Eve realized that they were naked, they immediately tried to cover themselves. That shows that it is a natural human response to cover nakedness and not reveal it. In the same way, God replaced the clothing designed by Adam with one of His design. This shows that God also desires that nakedness be covered and not revealed.
Genesis 9:22-24 - And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. So Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him.
Habakkuk 2:15 - “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, Pressing him to your bottle, Even to make him drunk, That you may look on his nakedness!
In both of these verses, we see that being drunk can lead to nakedness and exposure to others. Seeing and reporting on his father’s nakedness instead of covering him, is what brought a curse on Ham. This is also a reminder that we should not put ourselves in situations where exposure can occur.
Exodus 20:26 - Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.’
We have already seen in the first 2 sections that nakedness and exposure displeases God. This is another verse that explicitly states that exposure and nakedness is forbidden in God’s sanctuary.
There are many who take this to mean that as long as they dress modestly at church that is enough for God. We definitely should be dressing modestly in church, but also in our everyday life. God’s presence doesn’t stop at church. He is everywhere and deserves our respect.
Gender-specific clothing
Deuteronomy 22:5 - “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.
There are several interpretations here in the modern world of what this means. But in essence, it means not dressing like the opposite sex.
Some may take this to mean that women shouldn’t wear pants, because those were traditionally male garments. If that is a person’s conviction, then that is their choice. I believe this verse is specifically meaning that one should dress according to their sex - distinctly masculine or feminine.
1 Corinthians 11:4,5 - Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.
This command regarding head covering is part of the chain of authority. It is inappropriate for men to pray using a head covering, and inappropriate for women to pray without a head covering. Similar to what I mentioned before, there are gender-specific norms.
Clean and Simple
Ecclesiastes 9:8 - Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no oil.
I take this verse to mean that a person should be presentable. This doesn’t mean walking out in a tux or a ballgown. It means wearing clean clothes and being properly groomed.
1 Timothy 2:9 - 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,
While this verse is directly mentioning women, it applies to men as well. It means being modest and decent in your dressing style. Being simple, not overly expensive, or excessive in terms of clothing or jewelry. I think this verse was directed more at women since we are in general more material. We want the latest fashion trends and the bling. But God desires that we be simple.
1 Peter 3:3,4 - Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 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.
The emphasis of adornment should be inward rather than outward. A believer’s true beauty comes from the heart as their God-given virtues. A person’s character is more important than the cosmetics that we put on.
Presentable to God
Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
1 Peter 1:14 - as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance
1 Corinthians 6:19 - Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
1 Corinthians 10:31 - Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
When we present our bodies to God, He wants it to be a holy and acceptable sacrifice. This was the same standard in the Old Testament. In addition to being a sacrifice, God wants our service, a life of devotion and worship. Because our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, God lives within us.
How do we present ourselves as holy and acceptable? By not conforming to the fashion of the world, but conforming to Christ. It means breaking off from the world’s lusts and ignorance. We live our lives to glorify God and radiate His goodness.
