“Sacred Style”-What the Bible Says About Appearance

Does God care about how we dress? Does He care if we wear jewelry? Does He care if ladies wear pants or makeup or how long our hair is? Which of these things are commands as opposed to which ones simply call for adapting to cultural norms of the time? Furthermore, how do we honor God in these areas without falling prey to legalism?

We will begin by looking at two primary Scriptures:

…women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 1 Timothy 2:9–10 (ESV)

This passage emphasizes modesty, self-control, and prioritizing good deeds over flashy appearance. While the passage is explicitly directed toward women, the principal certainly applies to men as well.

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit…1 Peter 3:3–4 (ESV)

Peter, like Paul, redirects focus from outer beauty to inner character. Yet it has been humorously observed that if this passage is prohibiting jewelry then it is also prohibiting wearing clothes!

This is why it is important for us to consider one of the key rules of Biblical interpretation: Scripture is to be interpreted in light of other Scripture. It is true that the Bible tells us to dress modestly and that our true beauty comes from within, not from outward ornamentation. When these things become the ultimate standard of beauty they can lead to pride and vanity. This is obviously a problem. Yet when compared with other Scriptures, it becomes more clear that these verses are not necessarily saying that nice clothes, jewelry, etc. are sinful in themselves. Please consider the following:

• Jewelry and fine clothes are given as gifts during a godly marriage arrangement (Genesis 24:53).

• When Joseph went to meet with the Pharaoh, he recognized that the proper etiquette involved dressing in a respectful manner (Genesis 41:14).
• God’s blessing for Jerusalem includes rich clothing and jewelry (Ezekiel 16:11–13).
• Proverbs 31:22 describes the godly, virtuous woman as wearing clothing of silk and purple.
• When the prodigal son returns home, his father greets him by putting a ring on his finger (Luke 15:22).

Ultimately, our outward appearance should be a reflection of an inward transformation—pointing not to vanity or rebellion, but to holiness, love, and a desire to glorify God in all things, including how we dress. In light of this, here are some other relevant topics:

Clothing and gender: In today’s world, this issue is more contentious than ever, yet it is really nothing new. Deuteronomy 22:5 does tell us that “The woman shall not wear that which pertains to a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are an abomination unto the LORD thy God.” In some circles, this verse is used that women should not even wear pants (skirts only)!

In appraising this issue, it is important to remember that expression of gender does vary among cultures. For example, what we would call a skirt in the U.S. is considered to be a feminine article of clothing. Yet in Scotland, wearing a kilt is seen as very masculine. In some tropical islands it is quite common for men to wear skirts (sometimes with nothing underneath)! Keep in mind that in Bible days men and women both wore robes. They were simply cut differently. In our day, pants are distinctively designed to fit either men or women, so they can easily be worn without confusing or compromising gender identity.

Makeup: One of the first Pentecostal Christians I ever met was a classmate from grade school who told a girl she was “going to Hell for painting her face like a stop sign!” Obviously, that is an extreme example but it is true that some discourage Christian women from wearing makeup. The rationale is that it was worn by the evil Queen Jezebel (2 Kings 9:30). However, reading this passage in context shows that the problem was not simply in Jezebel wearing makeup. Rather, it was because of the wicked, idolatrous life she lived.

It is noteworthy that Job had a daughter named Keren-happuch which means “horn of eye paint.” Would one of the greatest men of God in the Bible name his child after something he knew to be sinful? As one minister humorously put it, “A little paint never hurt any old barn.”

Hair and Head Coverings

In 1 Corinthians 11:14–15, Paul writes that long hair is a glory to a woman and that nature teaches men to wear it short. Earlier in the chapter (verse 6), he also teaches that a woman should cover her head as a sign of authority and honor, especially in worship.

There is a great deal of conjecture regarding the reason for these practices and how they apply to believers today (one rather bizarre, albeit plausible theory is that at that time, hair was seen as part of the genitalia). Was this intended as a command for all time, or was it simply a call to respect cultural norms?

Regarding hair length, “long” and “short” can be somewhat subjective terms. Looking at representations of the time period, such as old Roman coins, it appears that men of Jesus’ day generally had a full head of hair, somewhat longer than is common today. Yet it was still not effeminate looking. Generally speaking, short hair is seen as an expression of masculinity, longer hair of femininity. This seems to be the underlying point: Men and women carrying out their God given distinctives.

There were certain exceptions. For example, when a man dedicated himself to God through a Nazarite vow, he was not permitted to cut his hair during that time.

Furthermore, in ancient Greek culture, women covering their heads was a sign of the marriage covenant much as wearing a ring is today. Women who appeared in public without a head covering were often assumed to be prostitutes. Of course, we do not have that custom in the modern west. This is why I tend to agree with the general Evangelical consensus that these matters were cultural rather than absolute .

However, it is noteworthy that women wearing hats or scarves in church was very common as recently as the 1950s. The move away from the practice seems to coincide with the rise of feminism. The custom of men removing their hats for the National Anthem also comes from this passage. Personally, I do occasionally wear a hat or cap to church but I always remove it before the service begins.

In summary, the Bible’s teaching on hair and head coverings highlights reverence, order, and distinction in worship. If someone is convicted to wear a head covering or a certain hairstyle, we should respect that. If another believer sees it as cultural and chooses not to, we should not judge (see Romans 14). Whether expressed through outward symbols or inward attitudes, the focus is honoring God in every part of our lives.

How to dress for church: Some say they should wear their “Sunday best” out of reverence for God. I can certainly respect that sentiment (see the above example of Joseph). Yet others say that it creates an unnecessary divide and potentially shames people who either cannot afford higher end clothes or simply prefer more casual attire. I agree with that as well. The Bible offers no strict rules in this area. In short “dressing up ” for church is fine as long as it is not motivated by vanity. Dressing casually for church is also fine as long as casual dress does not reflect a casual attitude toward worship. In any case, care should be taken not to show favoritism (James 2:1-4).

In conclusion, as Christians we are representatives of Christ and our clothing and how we present ourselves to others should reflect that. Here are some guiding principles:

• Honor God – Does my appearance reflect a heart of worship? Am I dressing to glorify God or to glorify myself?
• Love Others – Am I being considerate of how my appearance affects others? Not to provoke shame, but to promote peace and edification.
• Guard Your Heart – Am I dressing out of pride, rebellion, or insecurity—or out of a settled identity in Christ?

True modesty begins inside. When Christ shapes our hearts, it will naturally affect how we present ourselves. This does not mean everyone must look the same—it means we reflect Jesus more than we reflect trends, status, or self-promotion.

Keep It Real,

James