Can women wear make-up and jewelry?

Recently, a lady described how she was taught that it is a sin for women to wear make-up or jewelry. She wanted to know if this is what the Bible teaches. There are two main passages of scripture in the New Testament that are used:

“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, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works,” (I Tim. 2:9-10).

“Do not let your beauty be that outward adorning of arranging the hair, of wearing gold, or of putting on fine apparel; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God,” (I Pet. 3:3-4).

It is vital that we see what these inspired words are saying and are not saying. Notice that women are being admonished to reveal their godliness by adorning themselves with modest apparel and a quiet and gentle spirit. In other words, they should be known for their inward beauty rather than an external, outward show.

We must note that the wearing of gold and braided hair was not forbidden. Women were forbidden from wearing those things for show, as if that external display is true beauty. Does that mean that women can wear anything then? If you read carefully, you will see that immodest dress is sinful, just like anything else that is for show. Words like discretion and tastefulness come to mind.

To help with this, let us consider the book of Song of Solomon. This inspired message speaks of the love between a husband and wife. In chapter one and verse ten it says, “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with chains of gold.”  In chapter four verses nine and ten it reads, “You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; you have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace. How fair is your love, my sister, my spouse! How much better than wine is your love, and the scent of your perfumes than all spices.”

Even though the above passages were under the Old Law, the principles are still valid today. There is no immodest apparel between you and your husband. Also note that wives wore jewelry, but that jewelry was not their inward beauty. Are we to think that the Lord does not want women to have their hair done or brush their teeth? Is our Lord against good hygiene? Is it wrong to buy nice clothing? The answer to all of these questions is no.

There is danger in taking verses on godly behavior to an extreme. God’s word already describes inappropriate attire - that of a harlot (Prov. 7:10). This attire is used to draw attention via seductive, over-the-top means. Rather than taking verses on how we should dress too far, we should simply recognize what God has said about how to dress and also how not to dress.

Men and women need to consider what message they are sending when they dress. So much of the Christian life is having a proper attitude. Jesus taught that those who have a clean inside will reflect this on the outside (Matt. 23:26). Our God is not interested in anyone putting on a front. Those who put on an external show are revealing what is in their hearts as well.

 Chuck

Can a woman wear make-up?

This question was sent in by someone taking our Bible study course. It is based upon the text of I Timothy 2:9-10: “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, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.”

The first thing we notice is that Paul is not forbidding women from managing their appearances. To do so would be to contradict what Peter wrote: “Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel…” (I Pet. 3:3). In both texts, the writers stress that the woman is to be known for her inward beauty, not just her external appearance. Thus, both writers instruct women to dress modestly and not wear anything that would attract men in an ungodly manner.

Notice how the braiding of hair was equated to wearing expensive apparel or wearing jewelry. All of these things can be done to incite the attraction of men and overemphasize outward beauty. Paul stressed that women should be adorned in goods works, which is to say that they should be known and remembered for these deeds. Peter spoke similarly and said that a woman’s adornment should not merely be physical. Ultimately, physical appearance becomes a matter of the heart. Appearances can be managed, but this must not become our highest calling.

We also must remember that everything is relative. Neither writer condemned specific styles but instead wisely gave us general principles. When we are dressing to impress and draw attention, we are indicating that we have a heart problem (Matt. 5:8; Luke 12:34).

Just as the Bible states there is an attire of a harlot and warns against dressing that way (Prov. 7:10), we can also know how to dress properly. Make-up is a component of this – it can be done properly or improperly. Let’s be mindful of the principles being set forth in the word of God.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Chuck