Christian Clothing  

Scripture contains some plain and direct teaching about wearing apparel. However, before we consider the direct teaching on that subject, it will be well to recognise the implication of wider issues of Scripture.  Let us observe teaching in God’s Word about the following three things.  

(The Scripture references are selected from quite a number.)   

1 – Figurative Clothing God Has Put On Us

In Isaiah 61 v 10 we read, He (God) hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.  Further, Colossians 3 v 10 teaches us that the new man has been put on.  No doubt when we were born anew, God clothed us with the new man.  

2 – The Figurative Clothing We Are Enjoined to Put On

We may refer to Colossians 3 v 12-14, where we read, Put on bowels of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering . . .and Lo.  Again, in 1Peter 5 v 5 we read, all of you be clothed with (bind on) humility.  And again, 1Peter 3 teaches Christian wives to be adorned with a meek and quiet spirit.  This adorning (in contrast with literal adorning) is (a) hidden (not outward), (b) incorruptible (not subject to decay) and (c) very precious (of great price) in Gods sight.  The word for of great price is used of the costly array in 1 Timothy 2.  Not the very expensive garment, but the meek and quiet spirit is of great price in Gods sight.  Brethren and sisters, have we the same estimate?  Do we prize beauty of character above outward adorning?  

3 – Literal Clothing 

1 Timothy 2 v 9 and 10 and 1 Peter 3 v 3-6 are passages devoted to instruction for Christian women about their adorning (including their dress).  The former passage reads, . . .that women adorn themselves in orderly apparel with modesty and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.  And 1 Peter 3 v 3 and 4 read, Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of dressing of hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  

Now please note very especially that the FIGURATIVE CLOTHING WE HAVE TO PUT ON is to be consistent with the FIGURATIVE CLOTHING GOD HAS ALREADY PUT ON us.  God has clothed us with righteousness.  Then we must live righteously (Titus 2 v 12).  The new man has been put on by the work of God.  Then we must put on bowels of compassion, kindness etc. — clothing consistent with the new man (Colossians 3 v 12-14).  And again please note very especially that similarly our LITERAL CLOTHING is to be consistent with the 

FIGURATIVE CLOTHING we should be wearing.  If we are to bind on humility (1 Peter 5 v 5), then our literal clothing should not be ostentatious, should not be designed to attract attention. 

Here is a word for men and women.  In 1 Timothy 2 v 9 and 10 the exhortation is that there should be clothing affected through good works.  These good works will not have self in view.  Consistently with that figurative clothing, the literal clothing should be modest (decent), not very costly.  The Christian woman should act discreetly (with sobriety) in this matter (1 Timothy 2 v 9).  As we have already observed, the adorning is to be that of a meek and quiet spirit.  The literal clothing is to be consistent with that.  Anything flashy or loud is inconsistent.  

Surely we come to the crux of the matter when we consider the question, For whose PLEASURE do we dress?  Do we have regard for that which is of great price IN THE SIGHT OF GOD? Sisters, is God well-pleased with short skirts and garments low at the neck? Furthermore, brethren and sisters, there is time and place for casual dress, but when we are gathered together to the Name of the Lord Jesus, is God well-pleased to see casual dress upon us? Will not a little respect and reverence for the Most High ensure that we do not so appear before Him on such occasions?  

We conclude by saying that the sister with a meek and quiet spirit, the sister with discretion (sound judgment) (1 Timothy 2 v 9) will not dress in a seductive manner, will indeed dress in a manner which will not cause justified offence.  

May we all, brethren and sisters, give wise and sober thought to our spiritual and literal clothing for THE PLEASURE OF OUR GRACIOUS GOD.  Amen.