What the Bible Says About Modesty
By Alethia McBrayer
Have you ever wondered what the Bible says about modesty? Let's see if the Bible has any answers. The first verse people usually go to when talking about modesty is 1 Timothy 2:9 and it says, “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.”
The GREEK word here translated into “modest” is ‘’aidous.” The definition from Stong’s Greek is, “To have a sense of shame.” In Genesis 3 when Eve and her husband Adam ate from the tree, they realized they were naked, and they were ashamed. In verse 7 it says that they sewed together fig leaves to make for themselves coverings. They were trying to cover what they now realized was shameful. The Hebrew word used for coverings is ‘’ḥă·ḡō·rōṯ” which refers to a belt or girdle. So, these fig leaves would have covered as much as the modern-day swimsuit. Once they were punished for their disobedience and because their eyes were now open “…God made tunics of skin and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). The Hebrew word used here for tunics is “kethoneth,” which was a long, shirt-like garment, and would have covered from the shoulders to at least the knees.
While the account in Genesis is a good example, it is not the only place where we see what God thinks about modesty. In Exodus 20:26 God said, “Nor shall you go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed to it.” How would nakedness be exposed? If they were wearing a tunic and walking up the stairs that tunic would be raised up and could show the thigh. God did not want this to happen so He set up precautions. God calls the thigh nakedness. Isaiah 47:2-3 backs this up by saying, “Take the millstones and grind the mill. Remove your veil, take off the skirt, uncover the thigh, pass through the rivers. Your nakedness shall be uncovered, yes, your shame will be seen; I will take vengeance, and I will not arbitrate with man." While the nation is being pictured as a woman fleeing, again here we see that God considers the thigh nakedness.
Based on this information, attire exposing the thigh won't make the cut when it comes to being modest in our dress.
Is modesty just for women, or does it apply to men too? We mostly hear modesty talked about when it comes to women; however, the same applies for men. “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘it is the Lord!’ Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea” (John 21:7). Peter had to cover himself before swimming to shore where there would be people around. Peter, we see just like Adam and Eve knew that if he swam to shore without his outer garment on he would be naked. Yes, naked. Back in the garden they were still naked even when they sewed together fig leaves. When it comes to God’s terms, you are either hot or cold, naked or clothed. There is no in between.
While God shows us what is and is not nakedness, His word also says that our attire can reveal the kind of person we are/what is in our hearts. Proverbs 7:10 says; “And there a woman met him, with the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.’’ The woman's heart could be determined by her attire. Some women dress in the attire of a harlot and expect to be treated differently. When women dress modestly they tend to be treated with more respect. Since the way we dress can say a lot about our heart, what does our wardrobe say about our heart? What will people see about us? Do they see a woman with a meek and quiet spirit or someone who is looking for attention?
May we all strive to be the kind of women who are precious in the sight of God (1 Pt. 3:4).