The Bible never said that if a woman puts on makeup or wears earrings and jewelry, it is a sin or a forbidden thing.
Before you go any further into this article, as stated above this is the second part of the article, so begs the question have you read the first? If not; we urge you to read: What Does The Bible Say About Women Wearing Trousers, Jewelry and Makeup, Is It A Sin?
This misconception comes from people’s failure to understand what Paul was trying to say in the verses below.
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 KJV
In the above verses, most people read and just assume that a woman dressing up to look good outwardly with makeup, earrings, jewelry, or expensive clothing is a sin, but that’s not what Paul was trying to communicate to us all there.
Notice that in his writings, he spoke about Women, and oftentimes, when the word Women is being used in Paul’s writing, it’s not referring to single ladies, but rather married women.
This means he was addressing married women in context here, and the next verse that follows after 1 Timothy 2:10 proves this.
From verse 11, it reads.
Let a woman learn in quietness, in entire submissiveness.
I allow no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to remain in quietness and keep silence [in religious assemblies].
For Adam was first formed, then Eve;
And it was not Adam who was deceived, but [the] woman who was deceived and deluded and fell into transgression.
Nevertheless [the sentence put upon women of pain in motherhood does not hinder their souls’ salvation, and] they will be saved [eternally] if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control, [saved indeed] through the Childbearing or by the birth of the divine Child.
1 Timothy 2:11-15 AMP
So we see, it’s speaking about the submission of a woman to a man (in Marriage affair)
From verse 12. It spoke about how the man is the head of the home and how a woman shouldn’t exercise authority over a man, for the man has authority over the woman.
Then, 13 and 14 speak about How Adam was first formed before Eve.
Adam had authority over Eve and had told her what God had told him concerning not eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because when God told Adam these things, Eve was not there.
Eve, as the wife, ought to have submitted to all that Adam had told her, but she allowed herself to be deceived by the devil. She was easily deceived because when God gave the word to Adam, she was not there. She dishonored her head, Adam, and went and rebelled against Adams’s instructions, which he had received from God.
Because she went against the Authority of her husband, it came with a consequence.
This came with a sentence of having painful labor in childbearing.
Nevertheless [the sentence put upon women of pain in motherhood does not hinder their souls’ salvation, and] they will be saved [eternally] if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control, [saved indeed] through the Childbearing or by the birth of the divine Child.
1 Timothy 2:15 AMP
However, despite having this painful labor in childbearing. God will use it to bring forth his divine child, Jesus Christ, to save all women if they believe.
Women got into the mess they are in because they rebelled against the authority of a man. So now they will have to submit to the authority of a man, the man Christ Jesus, to be saved from that mess that they got into.
Paul was using all these explanations to explain how terrible it is for a woman to go against the authority of her husband.
Rebelling against a man’s Authority will cause that man to take actions he is not supposed to take. It happened to Adam.
Adam knew it was wrong to eat from that tree, but he did it anyway because his wife did it.
That’s why the previous verse that came before this, 1 Timothy 2:9, spoke about modest apparel, braided hair, expensive clothing, etc. Paul first spoke about how the actions of a wife or woman can cause a man or her husband to be distracted from God’s divine mandate of prayer. Let’s see this below.
I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
1 Timothy 2:8 KJV
Let’s view verse 8 from the amplified perspective for more clarity.
I desire therefore that in every place men should pray, without anger or quarreling or resentment or doubt [in their minds], lifting up holy hands.
1 Timothy 2:8 AMP
The men being spoken about here are married men. When a woman rebels against the authority of her husband, when a woman persistently dishonors or disrespects her head or her husband. It makes that man not be at peace.
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. – 1 Corinthians 11:5-6 KJV
That man will have a mind filled with much anger, resentment, and pain, especially if such a man is not able to control his emotions.
When praying, he will be focused on something other than the praying. He is praying, but his mind is still distracted by the hurt, disrespect, and disloyalty he has received from his wife.
He is praying, but he is still thinking about the early morning insult he received from his wife, and by so doing, his prayers will not be as effective as they ought to be. Because effective prayer requires your undivided attention and not getting distracted when praying. James 5:16 tells us this. It tells us that prayer ought to be heartfelt, earnest, and intense to make tremendous power available.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:16 KJV
But when a man’s heart is full of worry because of the problem his wife is giving him, it makes that man’s mind too distracted to be given to heartfelt praying, especially if that man is not strong enough to control his emotions.
So Paul speaks to men in verse 8 of 1 Timothy chapter 2, “Pray and don’t allow the hurts introduced to you by your wife to distract you from this.” Asking men to pray when it looks as though they are hurt or angry is Paul asking them to let go of the anger and resentment they feel as a result of their wife’s actions. It was because of this same issue that Paul began to address women who cause pain to their husbands through their character by saying the following.
Also [I desire] that women should adorn themselves modestly and appropriately and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with [elaborate] hair arrangement or gold or pearls or expensive clothing,
But by doing good deeds (deeds in themselves good and for the good and advantage of those contacted by them), as befits women who profess reverential fear for and devotion to God.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 AMP
From the above verses, Paul speaks in a metaphoric term. That is, he tries to make use of the outward dressing, or adorning done by a woman to beautify herself, to describe how a woman ought to be inwardly dressed with Good Character.
In verses 9-10 from NIV, Paul says I want all women to dress themselves up in all: 1. modest apparel, 2. shamefacedness, and 3. sobriety.
I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,
but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 NIV
Now, let’s take note of the three numbered points above. Which are:
- MODEST ( from the Greek word “kosmios,” which means Good behavior).
- SHAMEFACEDNESSS ( from the Greek word “aidōs,” and it means respect shown towards a man or husband).
- SOBRIETY ( from the Greek word “sōphrosunē” and it means self-control.
So Paul speaks to women that they should clothe themselves with good behavior, respect for their husband, and self-control (The ability to resist the urge to challenge a man’s authority, even if you want to air your view, you must say it in a good mannerly fashion, not rudely, using disrespectful and unkind words).
So all these things are what Paul was trying to say, and just so that people don’t get confused into thinking that he was referring to outward clothing and adornment done by a woman to beautify herself. Paul lets them know that “THE APPAREL HE WAS ASKING THEM TO CLOTH THEMSELVES WITH IS AN INWARD APPAREL OR CLOTHINGS OF GOOD BEHAVIOR, RESPECT AND SELF CONTROL. AND THAT HE WASN’T referring to outward apparel of braiding your hair, Expensive clothing, etc.
Paul did not say that a woman clothing herself with expensive clothing, jewelry, makeup, etc, is a sin or forbidden.
Rather, he is trying to explain that the Modest clothing is referring to here is not outward clothing but inward clothing that has to do with a woman’s character towards her husband.
CLOTH YOURSELF WITH GOOD CHARACTER, Paul tells this to the women. And Paul isn’t telling them not to go and clothe and make themselves beautiful outwardly.
In fact, apostle Peter said similar things about this in his writings; let’s see this.
Godly Living
In the same way, you wives, be [a]submissive to your own husbands [subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them] so that even if some do not obey the word [of God], they may be won over [to Christ] without discussion by the godly lives of their wives,
when they see your modest and respectful behavior [together with your devotion and appreciation—love your husband, encourage him, and enjoy him as a blessing from God].
Your adornment must not be merely external—with interweaving and elaborate knotting of the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or [being superficially preoccupied with] dressing in expensive clothes;
but let it be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature] which is very precious in the sight of God.
For in this way in former times the holy women, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands and adapting themselves to them;
just as Sarah obeyed Abraham [following him and having regard for him as head of their house], calling him lord. And you have become her daughters if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear [that is, being respectful toward your husband but not giving in to intimidation, nor allowing yourself to be led into sin, nor to be harmed].
In the same way, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way [with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship], as with someone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective.
Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit;
and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection].
1 Peter 3:1-9 AMP
So you see, in summary, Paul wasn’t trying to say if a woman wears earrings and jewelry, braids her hair, applies makeup, and looks good outwardly, it is a sin.
Read Also: The Mighty Hand of God: A Sermon That Will Change Your Life and Ministry For Spiritual Growth
Rather, he is saying to women that in the same way, you all try your best to look good on the outside with all of those accessories (makeup, jewelry, etc.), you also try your best to look good on the inside with Good Character and attitude.
To build character in any situation, you must know what you struggle with. If you’re struggling to be humble, search for sources to assist you in learning to become more humble and develop a habit of it; if you are struggling with self-control, Set goals and strive to achieve them in a manner that is right for you.
Making the necessary steps to improve your character is not an easy job. People are more likely to notice those who take the right path than what’s simple.
A strong character is something that everyone should strive to attain, but what exactly does a solid character actually mean? What can we do to build it in our own lives and our relationships with others?
Read More: How to Build a Strong Character
I hope you get this now. If yes, then I am glad.
Credit: Jonah Kingsley
