The Measure of True Beauty
The shopper scrounged through racks and racks of clothing and accessories, looking for something new to add to her closet. Was she missing a gown for a party? A new blouse for work? What was she looking for? She wondered. The saleswoman noted the look of confusion on the customer's face. "I have one garment you may want to try," she offered. The lady nodded. The saleswoman pulled out a shawl. It alternated between deep red and silvery-white hues. "I'll take it," said the lady drawn to the royal red. When the saleswoman named the price, the customer gasped. "Why is it so expensive?" she asked.
The saleswoman sighed and smiled. She'd never been able to sell this shawl due to its great cost. "The Designer is a well-known artist. You might say that He poured his life into making this shawl. The Shawl of Peace, He calls it. He promises that the one who takes this shawl will be like him."
"Who takes it?" The woman asked, noting those words. The saleswoman nodded. "All that is required is that you not fear the price. He already has paid for it."
The saleswoman draped the shawl around the lady's shoulders. "Beautiful," the saleswoman approved. "Just beautiful."
-The Shawl of Peace: An Allegory
(See 1 Peter 3:3-4, Matthew 11:28-30, and Romans 5)
What does it mean to be truly beautiful? Does how we dress matter? The Bible clarifies that it does, and yet, it is also true that God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Certain things matter more to Him than our external appearance. Join me as we discover what it means to be lovely in God’s sight. We’ll take a look at two passages: 1 Timothy 2:9-10, and 1 Peter 3:3-4.
In 1st Timothy 2:9-10, the Apostle Paul is writing to his son in the faith, Timothy, who is leading the church in Ephesus. While Paul hopes to see Timothy (1 Timothy 3:14), he writes so that people, including us as women, will know how to conduct themselves in the household of God, the church of the living God (3:15). 1 Timothy 2:9-10 starts the set of instructions to women in the church setting. Women should dress themselves modestly, with decency and good sense. They’re not to wear braided hair or gold, pearls or costly clothing, but to dress themselves in good works. Let’s break that down!
1. Women are to dress modestly, with decency and good sense.
You may think I’m going to focus on what the word “modest” means. And you’d be correct. But I actually want to meditate for a bit on dressing “with good sense” first. The idea here is that of good judgment. In accordance with the spirit God gave us – one of sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) – we are to dress ourselves in a discerning way, of which modesty plays a part. In the church setting, we’re literally meant to wear “well-ordered” clothes. The specifics will look different depending on your church’s culture – whether you wear dressier or more casual clothes – but the idea is something that fits, that is beautiful. In other words, we as women are to pay attention to what we wear. Whatever you do, including in dressing, do it to the glory of God.
2. Not with braided hair, or gold or costly clothing.
I’m going to be honest. I read this clause in the passage, and I paused. God surely wasn’t saying I couldn’t wear my white, fake-pearl earrings to church, was He? I wear (and maybe you do too) crocheted extensions on a regular basis; it’s a style that belongs to Nigerian and other African cultures. But I wrestled with the text, and God blessed me (Genesis 32:27-29). According to Greek scholar Bill Mounce, and former Bible pastor and teacher John MacArthur (in his study Bible), the point concerned class differences.
Rich women in Ephesus could afford to weave real gold and pearl jewelry into their hair, and of course could buy high-end, extremely expensive clothing. Women who did not have as much income could not afford to do such things, and this might lead to favoritism and division, which undercut the unity we have in Christ (see James 2:1-10, Galatians 3:28, and Ephesians 4:4-6). The purpose is not to draw attention to our status by what we wear. In Christ, there is neither slave nor free (which are both socioeconomic classes).
Humbling yourself by considering the effects of your clothing on your sisters in Christ is a way to be like Christ, who left the riches of heaven, became poor, died a humiliating death on a cross, and rose again so we might have the treasure of eternal life with Him. Think about it: in your clothing choices, you may very well testify to the gospel!
The apostle Peter also raises the same point when he uses similar language in 1 Peter 3:3-4. Our beauty is to consist of what is higher and unfadeable: the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great value in God’s sight. Briefly, for you to have a gentle spirit is another way to be like Christ, who is gentle and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:28-30). He was powerful but kept it under control. Relatedly, a quiet spirit is one that is not anxious – it’s unruffled by the cares of life. Do you struggle with anxiety, sister? Don’t be afraid of this passage. Ask your Father to quiet your heart with His love. He promised he would, and you can trust Him (Zephaniah 3:17)! He is the very essence of love that casts out all fear, and you have hope that one day, you will be made perfect in love (1 John 4:16-19).
3. Dress yourself with good works
Finally, if we say we worship God, Paul argues, we are to dress ourselves with good works. Again, we look like Christ, who went about doing good – and who gave His life and rose again in the ultimate act of good towards His enemies.
We’re to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12). We might walk in the footsteps of Tabitha, who helped widows by sewing garments for them (Acts 9:36-39). We might be like Priscilla, who along with her husband Aquila, taught Apollos the gospel more accurately (Acts 18:26). We might mirror Miriam, who led women in song after liberation from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 15)! We might echo Lydia, an industrious businesswoman who sold purple and who opened up her home for hospitality.
Sister, how can you serve your local congregation? What gifts has the Holy Spirit given you for the common good of the family of God (1 Corinthians 12:7)? Have you teaching graces? Teach women and girls (Titus 2:3-5). Are you gifted with helps? Serve eagerly. Has God given you the gift of exhortation? Encourage. You get the idea. Ask God for wisdom on where to serve, and He will give it to you (James 1:5).
Dear sister, today, let your garments be the clothing of love (Colossians 3:14).
About the author
Ozi (her name is pronounced like cozy) is a daughter of God who loves exploring worlds through books and penning stories. An MPH student at Kent State University, she enjoys the opportunity to help women and girls as a community health worker at her local health department. Outside of work and school, Ozi loves reading her Bible, writing poetry on her Instagram (@shepensfortheking) and helping lead worship at her church.