Dress code [again]

[pfalcon]

Ok. Here we go.

1 Tim 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.

Here are the questions, I hope that you all will discuss it out.
1. For women, is wearing gold, pearls, or any kind of accessories considered to not be moderation, but excessiveness? What about braided hair?
2. What then, is considered to be moderate?
3. (Personal favourite) This command is given for women. So does it imply that men can wear whatever they like?

Keep searching and thinking!
-Se@n

[David Ong]

Hi,
Correct me if i am wrong, but doesnt that specific passages of scripture only apply to people during service (ie worship).

8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
9 I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,
10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.

so if it applys during service(ie worship)

Here are the questions, I hope that you all will discuss it out.
1. For women, is wearing gold, pearls, or any kind of accessories considered to not be moderation, but excessiveness? What about braided hair?
2. What then, is considered to be moderate?
3. (Personal favourite) This command is given for women. So does it imply that men can wear whatever they like?

My answers:
1) answer for this question , i believe can be found in vs9. (I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety,...) The gist of this verse is talking about how women should dress modestly, not to waste money on what they wear. I believe the braided hair part is an example, perhaps braiding hair at that time is considered to be expensive?

2) Dress/clothings that is consider to be moderate are those that are not expensive.(ie dont waste money on things we dont need)

3) Men i believe should dress in a way to suggest respect, Think about it logically right, if you are invited to the president of US house, you wouldnt wear singlets and thongs to meet them. so, in church we are in the present of the Lord's house. Therefore we would dress in a way which is appropriate to suggest respect and in order to honour Him.

my 2 cents,
David

[pfalcon]

Well answered David.

But to your responses, I shall bring up new questions...

1. What is it that we don't need? Most of us have enough to wear, but yet we buy more - is this still considered in moderation?
2. If the command is only applying to during services, then are we free to wear whatever we like when we're not gathered for services???

[david johnson]

men are not addressed. any implication is one we dream up.
we don't own first-century mediterranean clothing for my wife...don't believe i'll worry about this.

dj

[abwoon]

Our own interpetation of scripture, it's application to our life, what dress code is established by the Elders during Worships, and the holy scripture are the most important factors . We are respondsible before God for our knowledge of the scripture, our actions and their effects on others. The elders are responsible before God for the welfare of the congregation individually and collectively. If the manner in which someone dresses or their behavior offends someone or some church people and is brought to the elders attention it must be scriptually dealt with. What action is taken is dependent on the individual situation. I guess we should be diligent, commited, responsible about our obedience to the holy scripture.

Peace,
Darryl

[david johnson]

i can't see that elders would have much clout regarding what clothing is worn to services, unless they want to furnish it for everyone.

dj

[abwoon]

Elders would have to step in, in matters addressing and involving the congregation, be they positive or negative. It is their Scriptural respondsiblity to care for and maintain the Church Body. If a member or members have issues or concerns that bring unrest and confusion, and the Elders know about them , if it is possible for the Elders to bring solution and order to these issues or concerns of a member or members in the church, then solutions and order must happen.
The Elders must fullfill their duty. This is very much part of their function in the church, to monitor and maintain the Church Body according to the Scripture and with Godly Love. Knowing about, discussing, and resolving scriptually issues or concerns like these are their responsibility. They can be held accountable by God if these issues cause unrest and/or division in the Church and the Elders do nothing about them.
Peace,
Darryl

[abwoon]

Remember the authority given to the elders and our responsiblity to be submissive to that authority, 1Peter 5:5, and to each other as members of the Church of Christ, Romans 8:7, James 4:7, Ephesians 5;21-24.

Sorry to deviate from the original point but I think this fundamental understanding is imporant.
In Him,
Darryl

[david johnson]

not exactly in this case. as long as one wears what counts as acceptable 'modest clothing' for the particular cultrue he/she is within, the elders should have nothing to say regarding it. if they make some ruling counter it, it will be their responsibility to provide the clothing change. there are lots of poor, poor folks in the world who do not acquire clothing as readily as some of us.

[jessie]

ALOT OF THIS IS ADRESSED BY PAUL WHEN HES SETTING STANDARDS FOR CHURCHES. THE CHURCHES WERENT ACTING GODLIKE AND NEITHER WERE THE PEOPLE. IT ALSO SAYS WOMEN NOT TO HAVE SHORT HAIR BUT LOOK HOW MANY IN CHURCHES HAVE LONG HAIR. IT SAYS MEN ARE NOT TO HAVE LONG HAIR ..BUT SAMPSONS STRENGTH WAS IN HIS HAIR.

I GUESS THE EASY WAY TO ANSWER IN MY OPINION IS...ASK YOURSELF IF YOU THINK ITS OK FOR GOD TO SEE YOU LIKE YOU ARE DRESSING. HE IS WATCHING YOU....

CHRIST DIDNT WEAR SUITS AND 3 PIECE DRESS SUITS WHEN HE TAUGHT THE GOSPEL, AND WE ARE TOLD TO BE CHRISTLIKE.

U DONT WEAR A SUIT TO THE BEACH...SO DONT WEAR SOMETHING THAT ISNT APPROPRIATE TO CHURCH. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A LAMP SHINING ..SHOWING PEOPLE YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN.

[isabellabrown]

Ok. Here we go.

1 Tim 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.

Here are the questions, I hope that you all will discuss it out.
1. For women, is wearing gold, pearls, or any kind of accessories considered to not be moderation, but excessiveness? What about braided hair?
2. What then, is considered to be moderate?
3. (Personal favourite) This command is given for women. So does it imply that men can wear whatever they like?

Keep searching and thinking!
-Se@n

Yes, If you want to take dress code for women, then you can give women to wearing gold or some time of pearls or other accessories like rings. Then if you want to moderate it, you can. But my opinion is you don't need to moderate it. And for men this thing does not applying.

[anderalex]

David that is true that , There is no need to have costly clothing it there is no need of it but I had observed that it now become a necessary need and no one can be able to do anything for that. As it is a status symbol for every one.

[cwbys4evr]

I would in turn ask the following questions

What is the historical and cultural context of the passage ? Were gold and braids and such indicative of what temple prostitutes wore, or some other such thing? And therefore would that be the reason they were forbidden ?? Or did those things carry another similar negative meaning to the church at the time ? Im not sure at the moment because honestly I haven't researched it. But I really believe we should give a little regard for context. We in the Lord's church, in our zeal to be exactly correct (not a bad thing), tend to like to legislate things that perhaps don't need it.

[cwbys4evr]

And as for a dress code, any such code falls under the category of OPINION. And Christ clearly condemned "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men". Therefore I think any eldership that attempts to legislate what is worn in church is treading on very shaky ground.