“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” (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
In last week’s bulletin, we studied the principles set forth in the above passage regarding the dress and demeanor God wants from His spiritual daughters (and sons). Women are to profess godliness. They can’t convincingly proclaim a reverence towards God by wearing immodest apparel or parading their wealth and importance with jewel-adorned hairdos and lavish clothing.
The apostle Peter also admonished godly women to avoid this worldly custom of his day. “Do not let your adornment be merely outward - arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel - rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (1 Pet. 3:3-4).
Peter says the focus of a godly woman must be the incorruptible beauty of her gentle and quiet spirit. The hair turns gray. The garments become worn. The gold, pearls, and jewels can be stolen (Matt. 6:19-20). “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” (Prov. 31:30). The beauty of a gentle and godly spirit never goes out of style. It grows stronger as the body grows weaker (2 Cor. 4:16). This is an achievement a Christian woman can take with her when she leaves this earth. In the meantime, she will receive the praise of those who admire and appreciate her inner beauty.
Paul says the focus of a godly woman must be her good works. Her crowning adornment is a life of good works and loving service to God and others. This corresponds to the “holy hands” to be lifted up by the men (1 Tim. 2:8).
The New Testament gives numerous examples of godly women who committed themselves to doing good works: those who provided for the Lord (Luke 8:1-3), Mary anointing Jesus before His burial (Mark 14:3-9), Dorcas (Acts 9:36, 39), Lydia (Acts 16:14-15), Phoebe (Rom. 16:1-2), Euodia and Syntyche (Phil. 4:2-3), the widows supported by the church (1 Tim. 5:10). These women are forever enshrined in God’s word as positive examples to be followed.
Today, the Lord’s church is equally blessed by women who make it a priority to develop the hidden person of the heart adorned with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and godly spirit. These sisters in Christ profess their godliness by good works benefitting us all. Some of these good works go unannounced and unnoticed by us, but they are not missed by God (Matt. 6:1-4; Heb. 6:10). These godly women teach the younger women to do the same (Titus 2:3-5). As Christian men and Christian women develop their holy and godly character, the church grows stronger and, through their work, God’s kingdom grows larger.