A Question About 'Modesty'

Greg Gwin
12/11/11 - Modesty

We know Christians who believe that modesty in the way we dress is a matter of judgment and other members cannot force their options on them. In studying scriptures on dressing modestly with them, they argue that the term modesty in the Greek is meant in regards to the amount of gold and jewelry we wear. Christians are expected to be modest only in this area of dress. But that it has no tie to dressing "modestly" or clothing yourself properly. Can you help answer this argument?

This subject has become more of an issue with us since we have a child. Last summer, our young son went swimming with other younger children from our church. Some of the young girls (5 or 6) showed up in bikinis! This has caused many questions from our son. "Why was "Susie" showing her belly button? Does this mean she is not a nice girl? But she is a "Christian"? I don't understand." Certainly, these are young children. But I see this being an issue in the future as these children grow up together. It is hard to explain to him how someone can dress as the world, but still are considered a "faithful Christian" and member of our congregation.

Here's our answer:

I've also heard the argument that "modest" only pertains to wearing excessive clothing like expensive jewelry and clothes, etc. The idea, it is claimed, is that we should not draw attention to ourselves through flashy or ostentatious clothing. I agree that the term can apply to such things, and Christians definitely ought to avoid dressing that way. But the word "modest" in the original Greek language literally meant "to put in order, arrange, make ready." In Wuest's word study, he suggests that "this orderliness must not extend merely to the relationship of the various articles of wearing apparel to one another, but also to the relationship of that apparel to her Christian character and testimony. In other words, the apparel must be congruous with, fitting to, and consistent with what she is, a child of God." Clearly, wearing clothes that are too little, too tight, or too revealing would be a violation of the principles of modesty, as well as wearing too much, too expensive, etc.

But for those who want to quibble about the ancient vs. modern meaning of the word "modest", we should probably concentrate on the term "lasciviousness." This is a "work of the flesh" which will keep people out of heaven (Galatians 5:19-21). Lasciviousness involves those things which incite lewd or lustful emotions. It is certain that modern swimsuits, shorts, halters, tank tops, bare midriffs, etc., would all fall into that category. Christians who are concerned about avoiding lasciviousness will carefully avoid all such types of clothing.

I commend your desire to instill the concept of modesty into your child at an early age. This is very important and, sadly, is being neglected by many parents these days. The world is becoming more and wicked, and one of the manifestations of this is in the clothes people wear. Unfortunately, Christians are allowing the world to set the standards for them and their children and are following right along into more and more immodesty. It is a shame!

— via The Beacon (Electronic Edition), 05/15/2007

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