Calvin: ‘We may certainly arrive at a principle which is valid overall’. However, to go further would be ‘impossible’ so ‘we must be realistic here’.
- Women are to dress modestly.
- 2:9a. The niqab and the burkha are not modest or evidence of selfcontrol. But we have largely lost the sense of female modesty in dress in the West.
- Chrysostom: ‘Are you coming to a dance?’ Women who walk the Hollywood red carpet are rarely dressed modestly. There is even a fad towards tender neutral clothing. The Bible recognises the gender differences – Matt.5:28.
- Women are to dress simply.
- 2:9b. Paul is not saying that women ought to dress in potato sacks, and there are special occasions – Rev.21:2. But this second requirement is to do with sobriety or simplicity – Prov.11:22. The model on the catwalk wearing costly attire is not held up as an example for women to follow – Isa. 3:16-23.
- John Wesley: ‘I love the poor; in many of them I find pure genuine grace unmixed with paint, folly, and affectation.’ See Amos 4:1-2; 6:4- 7. Contrast to Hannah, Lydia, Mary Slessor and Amy Carmichael.
- Good works are the true adornment.
- 2:10; 1 Peter 3:3-4. Applies to men too in Matt.5:16.
- 1 Tim.5:10; Proverbs 31:10-31 for some ideas.
- Eph.2:8-10; Tit.2:14. Christian women are to dress modestly and simply. And see that good works are more vital than good looks.