Jewelry, Hairstyles, and 1 Timothy 2:9-10

Recently someone wrote asking me if it was wrong for Christian women to wear gold, pearls, or diamond engagement rings based on 1 Timothy 2:9-10:

“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.”

It's important that we understand that this passage uses figurative symbolism. It tells us to “adorn” ourselves with good deeds, but we don't have good deeds hanging in our closet or folded in our drawers. 

And that symbolism helps us understand that it's not about specific cultural practices, nor is it specifically about pearls, gold, or hairstyles.

It's about:

1. Modesty: Immodesty can cause men to have lustful thoughts, but it also reflects a woman's disrespect for God's commands. And immodesty is a growing problem.

2. Focus: If we're focused on impressing people with our scantily clad body, our hairstyle, jewelry, or expensive clothing, we're living by worldly standards.

3. Our heart: Our outward appearance reflects our inward character. If we're seeking God's purposes, our outward appearance (clothing, language, and even facial expressions) will honor God's commands and values. 

We have a similar metaphor in Ephesians 4:22-24.

This doesn't mean we can't wear valuable jewelry or style our hair. It means that our priority should be our inward character. 

You'll find a similar message in 1 Peter 3:3-4, and I encourage you to read it for additional insights.

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This question was raised by a reader after she read 1 Timothy 2 in Examining a False Claim regarding Female Leadership. 

For more on this subject, I encourage you to read Why Modesty Is Getting a Bad Rap and the Bite Size Study: What Is Biblical Modesty?   

Regarding the Bible Love Notes series on male leadership in the church: We've covered the main areas that need to be covered. There are still some questions and examples I'd like to address in the coming months. But I will share them periodically, not every Friday as I have been. 

Male Leadership Series: 

Part 1: Think God Needs "Updating"? Think Again!

Part 2: Women in Church Leadership: Complementarian or Egalitarian? 

Part 3: When Male Leadership in the Church Is Misused   

Part 4: My Response to Male Leadership in the Church 

Part 5: Egalitarians Actually Hold a Low View of Women and Scripture. Answering a reader's questions from Part 4.

Part 6: Examining a False Claim regarding Female Leadership

Part 7: Women's Roles: The Message of 1 Timothy 2

Part 8: What Do Adam and Eve Have to Do with Male Leadership?

Part 9: Leadership and the Fall of Mankind

Part 10: When Women Should Be Silent in Church

Part 11: When I Violated Scriptural Guidelines

BLN