The fundamental meaning of “modest” (1 Timothy 2:9) is to be “orderly” or “decorous.” Yes, then, modesty includes both being insufficiently dressed as well as being overdressed. The meaning is broad enough to include deportment—actions and words. Regarding modesty as it pertains to clothing, clothing was originally implemented for two purposes—to conceal the human form and to protect one from the elements (Genesis 3:7, 21). God exchanged Adam and Eve’s fig-leaf aprons with animal skins. Such tunics, irrespective of the material from which they were made, usually extended from the shoulders to the ankles. God determined in the Garden of Eden what constitutes modest dress—for both men and for women.
Often these days, however, clothing neither conceals the human form nor protects one from the weather. When the human form is not concealed—too much skin is exposed, or clothes are essentially painted on one’s body—what passes for clothing is counterproductive to the original purpose of clothing, and it is immodest. First Corinthians 12:23 presumes that especially the children of God will modestly cover their “unpresentable parts.”
For decades, clothing worn in public by the masses—and even by Christians, also—has been too revealing to correspond with biblical modesty. Tight-fitting clothes, low-cut blouses, short skirts and shorts, sundresses, spaghetti straps, off the shoulder shirts, bikinis, crop tops, low-rise pants, ripped or distressed jeans, and so forth are not biblically modest. No one ought to wear such things in public, and especially Christians should never be characterized by such immodesty.
Even more widely today, much of the clothing selected by the masses, and unfortunately by many Christians also, is biblically immodest for public exhibition. Added to the examples of immodesty above, women are wearing leggings and similar clothing, which cling snugly to every curvature and crevice of the human body. Only spray paint could more closely apply merely a hue to one’s nudity. Absolutely nothing is left to the imagination! How could parents be so dull of understanding and concern, both regarding biblical instruction as well as lustful tendencies, to allow their children to sport such immodesty? Husbands, why do you let your wives go into public immodestly attired?
Whose definition of “modest” or acceptable clothing do you embrace? If a husband or a father, do you permit your wife and your children to dress more in keeping with the fig-leaf aprons of Adam and Eve, or do you insist that your family subscribe to God’s definition of modesty? Who is your family’s clothing designer of preference—God or Satan? Just what is the difference between immodest clothing today and “the attire of a harlot” (Proverbs 7:10)?
