Legalism Part 1 Women, Fashion, Makeup and Jewelry 2

1 Peter 3:3-4  "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."




I discussed in my previous post about the church's legalistic views on women regarding wearing nice clothes, makeup and jewelry as many have believed it's a sin against God.  I explained about the bible verses used to justify their stance and I would analyze more biblical scriptures in this post that have also been used regarding this debate.   Other verses that have been used against women which I also mentioned in the previous post is 1 Peter 3:3-4.  However, this verse was never about banning women from wearing jewelry or nice expensive clothes if you understand the entire history of context of 1 Peter chapter 3.

 In Greco-Roman culture paganism was commonly practiced but many pagans were converting to Christianity.  Apostle Peter in this chapter was addressing married women who converted but had husbands who remained unsaved.  He was instructing rather than nag, argue or badger their husbands to convert to Christ, they should have a submissive attitude and win their husbands over to Christ by their behavior and actions. The wives demonstrate a Christ-like attitude in the marriage setting a example to the unbelieving husbands and it's this Christ-like demeanor that is their true beauty rather expensive clothes, jewelry and fancy hairstyles.

Wives shouldn't rely on these materialistic things hoping to seduce their husbands into be be won over to Christ but their true inner beauty.  I also mentioned in my previous post the verse Jeremiah 4:30(Feel free to view my previous post to check the verse) that many might also use to discourage women from makeup and jewelry. But the true history behind this verse has nothing to do with makeup or jewelry really.

 Jeremiah chapter 4 describes the people of Jerusalem and Judah having turned away from God and engaged in idolatry where they worship Pagan gods of other nations.  God was very displeased and told the prophet Jeremiah his plans on their destruction by allowing them to be invaded by foreign nations.   Jeremiah describes an unfaithful woman who puts on makeup and jewelry and wears the color red as a metaphor for Judah who was unfaithful to God when the people engaged in idolatry and her lovers are a metaphor for the foreign nations who the people of Judah believes are allies but in actuality are their enemies who will invade them.

In 2 Kings 9:30(you can also check out my previous post for this verse too), this verse refers to Jehu who pursued a wounded King Joram in the city of Jezreel killed him and became the King of Israel and was prepared to confront Joram's mother Jezebel the Queen who had lured her deceased husband King Ahab away from God and worship the pagan God Baael was well as other dastardly things. When she heard Jehu was coming, she painted her eyes, and adorned her hair. Some scholars believe she was planning on seducing Jehu into becoming his wife, while others just thing she was acting in pride and defiance.  Regardless of her intentions she met her demise in the end.

Also, during the Ancient times in the middle east including Rome, Egypt, Greece makeup that involved painting the eyes was quite common and in Egypt both men and women painted their eyes. Jewelry was also common in Israel and other middle eastern countries. Both men and women in Israel wore jewelry including bracelets and ear rings as put of the cultural norms.  It is important not to confused god-mandated standards with cultural norms and customs by taking bible verses out of context but unfortunately that has become a current theme that has impacted many aspects of Christianity by enforcing a lot of man-made restrictive rules and regulations in order to be more godly.

As for nice fashion, makeup and jewelry, these are well and good as it has been the tradition for women church goers to dress up nicely for Sunday service. It's perfectly fine to want to dress nice and look beautiful in any occasion whether church, dinner, social event, a romantic date etc. without any shame or guilt.  However, the true problem lies when as Christians we allow ourselves to become too self-indulgent on these things  to the point of vanity, defining our worth in such materialism.

As Christians we should be defined by our glory in honor in the Lord and following Jesus Christ our Savior.  That's we our true beauty lies.