True Holiness: What The Bible Says !!!
Apostle Paul in his teachings to the Church of the Ephesians said; “ And that ye put on the new man,
which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness “ ( Eph. 4:24 ) The emphasis is on “
True “ because, there is a False holiness being taught today among Apostolic Churches that’s leading people
astray. Paul warns; “ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; “ ( 1st Tim. 4:1 ) To depart
from the Faith, one would have to have been in the Faith, so Paul is clearly warning that in the latter times that
there would be Apostolic Churches departing from he Faith, leaving the True Principles of the doctrine of
Jesus Christ. We begin this brief study with a question, what is True Holiness? True Holiness is making a
change, both inwardly and outwardly. ( The New Man ) To make a change inwardly, you must change the
heart to change outwardly you must change the appearance. Jesus confronts this situation in his conversation
with the Pharisees of his day who were making a change outwardly and not having changed inwardly. Holiness
is not just a change of the outward appearance, holiness must begin with the heart. Jesus said, “ Woe unto
you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the
platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess “ “ Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that
which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also “ ( Matt. 23: 25 & 26 )
Jesus was not condemning their outward appearance of holiness, he was condemning the lack of change in
their hearts where True Holiness begins.
Now let us discuss Inward Holiness. What is inward holiness? As we put on the New Man as commanded in
scripture, we must have a change of heart, meaning that our very thinking changes, we don’t think the way
we use to think, we don’t see things the way we use to see them. Our hearts has been transformed, a
changing of the heart. As we focus most often on the outward appearance, such as hair, the long and short of
it, the dress, what we can and cannot wear, we sometimes neglect the teaching of the heart. You can have hair
to the ground as a woman and hair above the ears for the man and your body covered from your neck to your
ankles and still be unholy. Example: Its not enough just to love your brother and sister. Jesus said in: ( Matt.
5:44 ) " But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that
hate you, pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you " True Holiness is having the love
of God. Not being bitter or harboring bitterness against anyone, willing to forgive those that trespass against
you. Jesus said, “ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for and eye, a tooth for a tooth “ “ But
I say unto you, that ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him
the other also “ ( Matt. 5:38 & 39 ) These things that Jesus taught was the beginning of True Holiness.
Now let us discuss Holiness Outwardly. First, understand that in the above reading that Jesus was not
teaching against an outward change, but he was revealing the evil hearts of the unrighteous Pharisees,
and teaching that holiness begins with the heart and is made manifest outwardly. The outward
manifestation of holiness is a sign of an inward change, a clean heart. Jesus said, “ cleanse first that
which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also “ We must have an
outward appearance of holiness, which is a sign of separation. Apostle Paul said; “ I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifices, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service “ “ And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God “ ( Romans 12:1 & 2 ) Holiness is the perfect will of God.
Now, let us get into some of the specifics of True Holiness as to the Outward Appearance. Apostle Paul as well
as Peter speaks concerning this subject giving instruction to the Church.
( 1st Timothy 2:8-10 )
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like
manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety;
not with broided hair or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing
godliness) with good works.
( 1st Peter 3:1-6 )
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they
may also without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste
conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the
hair, and of wearing of gold, or 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. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God,
adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their husbands. Even as Sara obeyed Abraham,
calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any
amazement.
Paul in his teachings along with Peter admonished women to dress with a certain decorum, beginning with,
Adorning themselves Modestly. To Adorn means to: Put in order or to gain honor. Modest means: Of
good behavior or well arranged. Women are to dress and arrange their clothing as to bring honor to
themselves as opposed to shame and dishonor. Nakedness is a shame and women are to cover their bodies as
not to dishonor themselves. By exposing their bodies, they both sin and allow themselves to be use by Satan to
tempt others. Women should arrange their clothing in such a manner as not to draw attention to themselves,
such as not wearing dresses that are to low cut and to short in length. Nakedness is immodest and out of
order. The instant that Adam and Eve sinned they realized their nakedness and tried to hide themselves with
fig leaves, and when they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, they ran
and hid themselves. Why? The fig leaves that they used to cover themselves wasn't enough. We know this by
the fact that God made them coats of animal shins, we know that the blood of the sacrifice was for their sin,
but the coats of skin was to cover their nakedness. A lot of what is worn in Apostolic Churches today is not
enough. This is a departing from the Faith. Paul instructs women to dress with shamefacedness and
sobriety. Shamefacedness, meaning with honor and reverence and respect to others. Sobriety,
meaning with self control. It is the nature of our flesh to want those things contrary to the things of God and
we must maintain self control or sobriety.
Next, Paul gives instruction concerning hair. “ Not with broided hair “ Broided means A Plait, as referred to
by Peter ( 1st Peter 3:3 ) “ that outward adorning of plaiting the hair “ Many in Apostolic Churches
today allow this type of hair styles when it is clear as to the teachings of both these Apostles. Not to broid or
plait the hair. Somehow they ( Pastors ) justify this hair style by bringing two subjects together into one and
saying that you can plait your hair as long as you don’t plait gold and pearls into it and teaching, that is
what Paul and Peter meant in these scriptures. If this was not so serious a subject, that would make one
laugh as to the ignorance and misunderstanding of scripture. That is not what they meant or taught. The
wearing of Gold and Pearls is a completely different subject than that of the hair and the phraseology is clear
when read in context. Paul in his instructions says, “ … not with broided hair, OR gold, OR pearls, OR
costly array “ If Paul had used the word WITH instead of OR then we could come to the conclusion that he
meant not to broid or plait the hair with gold or pearls into it, but that is not what he or Peter said in their
instructions concerning the hair. Women are not to broid which means to plait the hair under any
circumstances, end of subject. Just food for thought, Could the placing of the Plaited crown of thorns
upon the head of Jesus have anything to do with this teaching? You decide, but irregardless the
reason, the fact remains, that the plaiting of the hair is sin.
After giving instructions concerning the plaiting of the hair, he moves on to the subject of the wearing of gold
and pearls and costly array. Gold and Pearls here is in reference to the wearing of jewelry in abundance or in a
decorative fashion to draw attention to themselves. We have to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Does this
mean the complete exclusion of jewelry? No, the wearing of rings is permitted in certain circumstances and we
know this by the words of Jesus himself in ( Luke 15:22 ) when in the story of the prodigal son the Father puts
a ring on the hand of his Son who returned home, a sign of love. We, in this culture wear wedding rings as a
sign of love and marriage, in this case the wearing of a ring is not wrong. Remember, True Holiness begins
with the heart, as to, why we do certain things. Example, the wearing of a watch. We can wear a watch for the
necessity of needing a time peace and that being the reason, where as if we put on a watch just for show to
draw attention to ourselves then it would be wrong to do so. The intent of the heart will determine at times the
right and wrong of a thing, and God always knows the heart, we can fool man at times, but never God. Next,
costly array, what did he mean? Array, meaning clothing. Costly is a Greek word that means Extremely
Expensive. Paul’s instruction here is that we as Christians are not to wear Extremely Expensive Clothing.
Why? Again this goes back to the heart, why would someone want to wear Extremely Expensive
Clothing, perhaps to show off, to be seen, to draw attention to themselves. Extremely Expensive Clothing in
one aspect, can be defined as someone for the purpose of being seen, or for show, or to stand out as in
drawing attention to themselves would purchase clothing, ( Costly Array ) that they cannot afford, just for
these purposes. We must also understand that while an article of clothing may be expensive to one, may not
necessarily be expensive to another. It is the aspect of going to the Extreme, as in the purpose of showing off,
or to purchase clothing that they cannot afford. An example was given in ( James 2:2-3 ) “ For if there
come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a
poor man in vile raiment. “ “ And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say
unto him, sit here in a good place; and say to the poor, stand thou here or sit here under my
footstool “ The teaching here is that we are not to have respect of persons as to the wealth that someone
may have. The analogy used here is that of one wearing Costly Array and one that is wearing vile “ Meaning
Cheap Clothing “ Extremely Expensive Clothing is not modest dress and we are taught not to wear this
type of clothing. Paul concludes with this statement, “ But which becometh women professing
godliness with good works “ Women are to appear Godly as in appearance. Peter concludes his
teaching with this, “ For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted
in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their husbands “ Peter goes on to say that New
Testament women should pattern their lives after the Old Testament woman Sarah, the wife of Abraham. There
are two examples of women in the Bible that women of today can choose to pattern their lives after, the
one is Sarah a holy woman and the other is Jezebel and unholy woman. Jezebel was the rebellious wife of
King Ahab of Israel who was violently killed when thrown out of a window at the request of Jehu. She
had painted her face ( Make-Up) and tired her hair ( Tired Means Trim ) just to attract his attention. She
was one of the most evil women of the Bible. She committed whoredoms and practiced witchcraft along with
the murder of Naboth. What an example to follow. ( 2nd Kings 9:22-37 )
While on the subject of clothing, we will explain why it is wrong for a woman to wear pants, a man’s garment.
The word or term pants is not in scripture and there is a reason for that. The Bible was written for all nations,
peoples and tongues, to provide a way of salvation and to maintain that salvation. When Paul and Peter in
giving instruction on women’s clothing on how to dress, didn't used the word pants. Why was that? Because all
nations or cultures don’t have the same dress apparel. Example, in the Middle East, they ( Men and Women )
wear robe type garments as clothing, to us in the United States they all look somewhat alike, however they, the
Middle Eastern people in their culture know the difference between the robe type garment for a man and for a
woman and each to his or her own. We have difficulties determining the difference because we don’t know that
culture and a robe is a robe to us. The reason Paul used the word Modest to define how a woman should
dress is because different nations are different cultures with different types of clothing according to their
culture. The wearing of robes is not an American clothing culture, with the exception of a bath robe of course.
The Scottish men wear Kilts, it is part of their clothing culture, to us, it appears to be a woman’s garment. Why
is that? Because it looks like a dress and a dress is a woman’s garment in our ( American ) culture. It is a fact
that in early American culture men wore Pants and women wore Dresses, that is historical fact, it is also
fact that until the Women’s Liberation Movement began, that women wore dresses and their hair Un-Cut. In this
movement, American women began to rebel against nature and the word of God, they began to wear men’s
garments ( Pants ) and to cut their hair which is forbidden in scripture. The word Modest was used to include
all cultures, whether American, Middle Eastern, or Scottish etc. To find the best definition for Modest let us look
into the word of the Lord. ( Deut. 22:5 ) “ The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man,
neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy
God “ It is immodest and an abomination for men and women to cross dress. We use this passage of scripture
not to bring us under the yoke of the law of Moses, but to define the New Testament word Modest.
Why are these things so important to the Lord? Clothing is designed to hide our nakedness, so that we
can present ourselves modest to the world and the Lord in worship. Second, to show a distinction between
the male and female. Despite what a lot of Apostolic Churches are teaching today, there is still male and
female in the body of Christ. It is only when it pertains to salvation that there is neither male nor female, bond
nor free, Jew nor Greek, meaning that anyone, male or female can be saved. Paul makes it clear in ( 1st Cor.
11:1-16 ) that there is to be a clear distinction between the sexes, the male and female in appearance, using
the subject of hair. The woman is to let her hair grow ( Un-cut ) ( No Trimming or Cutting ) and the man is
to cut his hair, showing a clear distinction between the two, along with the dress code for both. In Paul’s
teaching to the Church at Corinth he uses the word Shorn in reference to women’s hair, Shorn is a Greek
word that means: To Cut or Clip. He goes on to say that a woman’s long ( Un-cut ) hair is her glory
and that it is against nature itself for a man to have long hair and a woman to cut hers. There are those that
would teach that the teaching here is concerning the wearing of clothing veils and that a woman should wear a
veil, which is a Middle Eastern Custom. Paul plainly tells us that a woman’s HAIR was given her for a covering
( Not a clothing veil ) and that covering is to be Un-cut and if she rebels and cuts or trims her hair she
dishonors her head. Modesty depicts Honor. Paul concludes that teaching in verse 16 “ But if any man
seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God “ In Middle Eastern
Culture it is custom for a woman when going out in public to wear a veil, Paul is saying, that in the Church of
God we do not observe customs, but what the word of God teaches. A woman has a natural veil, her hair, and
has no need for the other and that natural veil ( Her Hair ) is to be Un-Cut.
Conclusion: The instructions given by Apostle Paul and Peter as to how women are to dress is plain and
clear. A woman is to dress in modest apparel with shamefacedness and sobriety, not over adorning herself with
jewelry. Wedding rings and watches are permitted. She is to dress as a woman in her culture. In America she is
not permitted to wear pants, because pants is clearly a man’s garment. Some will try and skate around
these teachings and allow women to wear culottes and gauchos and etc., understand, any outer garment with
legs in our culture is a man’s garment and is not permitted. She is to wear her hair Un-cut, no Trimming or
Plaiting. Solomon summed it up in ( Proverbs 31:10 ) “ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is
far above rubies “ ( Psalms 96:9 ) The Psalmist said: “ O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
fear before him, all the earth “ I wonder where the fear of the Lord is, in a lot of Churches today.
Men as well as women are to dress modestly, even though there’s not as much teaching on dress codes for
men as women. Men are to hide their nakedness. The Lord made a coat for Adam as well as Eve. We cannot
over adorn ourselves with jewelry, and we are to wear our hair according to scripture, short. Men are to dress
and act like men, showing a clear distinction. As to the wearing of beards, there is no scripture against men
wearing beards, on the contrary, great men of the Bible wore beards, Aaron the high priest, David the giant
slayer, and Jesus himself. ( Isaiah 50:6 ) “ I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that
plucked off the hair ( Beard ) I hid my not my face from shame and spitting “ What a more clear
distinction could there be, between a man and a woman than a beard.
This is just a brief summary of the doctrine of Holiness, but understand that holiness is not just Un-cut hair for
the woman, short hair for the man and decent clothing for both the male and female, make-up, jewelry and
etc., A person can deny themselves all of the things and be a gossiper, a liar, thief, back bitter or tale
bearer and be just as unholy.
Rev. Ronnie L. Wolford, Pastor
Have A Question? Email me: ronniewolford@bellsouth.net
Church Webpage: http://www.ronniewolford.com
Apostle Paul in his teachings to the Church of the Ephesians said; “ And that ye put on the new man,
which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness “ ( Eph. 4:24 ) The emphasis is on “
True “ because, there is a False holiness being taught today among Apostolic Churches that’s leading people
astray. Paul warns; “ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; “ ( 1st Tim. 4:1 ) To depart
from the Faith, one would have to have been in the Faith, so Paul is clearly warning that in the latter times that
there would be Apostolic Churches departing from he Faith, leaving the True Principles of the doctrine of
Jesus Christ. We begin this brief study with a question, what is True Holiness? True Holiness is making a
change, both inwardly and outwardly. ( The New Man ) To make a change inwardly, you must change the
heart to change outwardly you must change the appearance. Jesus confronts this situation in his conversation
with the Pharisees of his day who were making a change outwardly and not having changed inwardly. Holiness
is not just a change of the outward appearance, holiness must begin with the heart. Jesus said, “ Woe unto
you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the
platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess “ “ Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that
which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also “ ( Matt. 23: 25 & 26 )
Jesus was not condemning their outward appearance of holiness, he was condemning the lack of change in
their hearts where True Holiness begins.
Now let us discuss Inward Holiness. What is inward holiness? As we put on the New Man as commanded in
scripture, we must have a change of heart, meaning that our very thinking changes, we don’t think the way
we use to think, we don’t see things the way we use to see them. Our hearts has been transformed, a
changing of the heart. As we focus most often on the outward appearance, such as hair, the long and short of
it, the dress, what we can and cannot wear, we sometimes neglect the teaching of the heart. You can have hair
to the ground as a woman and hair above the ears for the man and your body covered from your neck to your
ankles and still be unholy. Example: Its not enough just to love your brother and sister. Jesus said in: ( Matt.
5:44 ) " But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that
hate you, pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you " True Holiness is having the love
of God. Not being bitter or harboring bitterness against anyone, willing to forgive those that trespass against
you. Jesus said, “ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for and eye, a tooth for a tooth “ “ But
I say unto you, that ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him
the other also “ ( Matt. 5:38 & 39 ) These things that Jesus taught was the beginning of True Holiness.
Now let us discuss Holiness Outwardly. First, understand that in the above reading that Jesus was not
teaching against an outward change, but he was revealing the evil hearts of the unrighteous Pharisees,
and teaching that holiness begins with the heart and is made manifest outwardly. The outward
manifestation of holiness is a sign of an inward change, a clean heart. Jesus said, “ cleanse first that
which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also “ We must have an
outward appearance of holiness, which is a sign of separation. Apostle Paul said; “ I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifices, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service “ “ And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God “ ( Romans 12:1 & 2 ) Holiness is the perfect will of God.
Now, let us get into some of the specifics of True Holiness as to the Outward Appearance. Apostle Paul as well
as Peter speaks concerning this subject giving instruction to the Church.
( 1st Timothy 2:8-10 )
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like
manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety;
not with broided hair or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing
godliness) with good works.
( 1st Peter 3:1-6 )
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they
may also without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste
conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the
hair, and of wearing of gold, or 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. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God,
adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their husbands. Even as Sara obeyed Abraham,
calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any
amazement.
Paul in his teachings along with Peter admonished women to dress with a certain decorum, beginning with,
Adorning themselves Modestly. To Adorn means to: Put in order or to gain honor. Modest means: Of
good behavior or well arranged. Women are to dress and arrange their clothing as to bring honor to
themselves as opposed to shame and dishonor. Nakedness is a shame and women are to cover their bodies as
not to dishonor themselves. By exposing their bodies, they both sin and allow themselves to be use by Satan to
tempt others. Women should arrange their clothing in such a manner as not to draw attention to themselves,
such as not wearing dresses that are to low cut and to short in length. Nakedness is immodest and out of
order. The instant that Adam and Eve sinned they realized their nakedness and tried to hide themselves with
fig leaves, and when they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, they ran
and hid themselves. Why? The fig leaves that they used to cover themselves wasn't enough. We know this by
the fact that God made them coats of animal shins, we know that the blood of the sacrifice was for their sin,
but the coats of skin was to cover their nakedness. A lot of what is worn in Apostolic Churches today is not
enough. This is a departing from the Faith. Paul instructs women to dress with shamefacedness and
sobriety. Shamefacedness, meaning with honor and reverence and respect to others. Sobriety,
meaning with self control. It is the nature of our flesh to want those things contrary to the things of God and
we must maintain self control or sobriety.
Next, Paul gives instruction concerning hair. “ Not with broided hair “ Broided means A Plait, as referred to
by Peter ( 1st Peter 3:3 ) “ that outward adorning of plaiting the hair “ Many in Apostolic Churches
today allow this type of hair styles when it is clear as to the teachings of both these Apostles. Not to broid or
plait the hair. Somehow they ( Pastors ) justify this hair style by bringing two subjects together into one and
saying that you can plait your hair as long as you don’t plait gold and pearls into it and teaching, that is
what Paul and Peter meant in these scriptures. If this was not so serious a subject, that would make one
laugh as to the ignorance and misunderstanding of scripture. That is not what they meant or taught. The
wearing of Gold and Pearls is a completely different subject than that of the hair and the phraseology is clear
when read in context. Paul in his instructions says, “ … not with broided hair, OR gold, OR pearls, OR
costly array “ If Paul had used the word WITH instead of OR then we could come to the conclusion that he
meant not to broid or plait the hair with gold or pearls into it, but that is not what he or Peter said in their
instructions concerning the hair. Women are not to broid which means to plait the hair under any
circumstances, end of subject. Just food for thought, Could the placing of the Plaited crown of thorns
upon the head of Jesus have anything to do with this teaching? You decide, but irregardless the
reason, the fact remains, that the plaiting of the hair is sin.
After giving instructions concerning the plaiting of the hair, he moves on to the subject of the wearing of gold
and pearls and costly array. Gold and Pearls here is in reference to the wearing of jewelry in abundance or in a
decorative fashion to draw attention to themselves. We have to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Does this
mean the complete exclusion of jewelry? No, the wearing of rings is permitted in certain circumstances and we
know this by the words of Jesus himself in ( Luke 15:22 ) when in the story of the prodigal son the Father puts
a ring on the hand of his Son who returned home, a sign of love. We, in this culture wear wedding rings as a
sign of love and marriage, in this case the wearing of a ring is not wrong. Remember, True Holiness begins
with the heart, as to, why we do certain things. Example, the wearing of a watch. We can wear a watch for the
necessity of needing a time peace and that being the reason, where as if we put on a watch just for show to
draw attention to ourselves then it would be wrong to do so. The intent of the heart will determine at times the
right and wrong of a thing, and God always knows the heart, we can fool man at times, but never God. Next,
costly array, what did he mean? Array, meaning clothing. Costly is a Greek word that means Extremely
Expensive. Paul’s instruction here is that we as Christians are not to wear Extremely Expensive Clothing.
Why? Again this goes back to the heart, why would someone want to wear Extremely Expensive
Clothing, perhaps to show off, to be seen, to draw attention to themselves. Extremely Expensive Clothing in
one aspect, can be defined as someone for the purpose of being seen, or for show, or to stand out as in
drawing attention to themselves would purchase clothing, ( Costly Array ) that they cannot afford, just for
these purposes. We must also understand that while an article of clothing may be expensive to one, may not
necessarily be expensive to another. It is the aspect of going to the Extreme, as in the purpose of showing off,
or to purchase clothing that they cannot afford. An example was given in ( James 2:2-3 ) “ For if there
come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a
poor man in vile raiment. “ “ And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say
unto him, sit here in a good place; and say to the poor, stand thou here or sit here under my
footstool “ The teaching here is that we are not to have respect of persons as to the wealth that someone
may have. The analogy used here is that of one wearing Costly Array and one that is wearing vile “ Meaning
Cheap Clothing “ Extremely Expensive Clothing is not modest dress and we are taught not to wear this
type of clothing. Paul concludes with this statement, “ But which becometh women professing
godliness with good works “ Women are to appear Godly as in appearance. Peter concludes his
teaching with this, “ For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted
in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their husbands “ Peter goes on to say that New
Testament women should pattern their lives after the Old Testament woman Sarah, the wife of Abraham. There
are two examples of women in the Bible that women of today can choose to pattern their lives after, the
one is Sarah a holy woman and the other is Jezebel and unholy woman. Jezebel was the rebellious wife of
King Ahab of Israel who was violently killed when thrown out of a window at the request of Jehu. She
had painted her face ( Make-Up) and tired her hair ( Tired Means Trim ) just to attract his attention. She
was one of the most evil women of the Bible. She committed whoredoms and practiced witchcraft along with
the murder of Naboth. What an example to follow. ( 2nd Kings 9:22-37 )
While on the subject of clothing, we will explain why it is wrong for a woman to wear pants, a man’s garment.
The word or term pants is not in scripture and there is a reason for that. The Bible was written for all nations,
peoples and tongues, to provide a way of salvation and to maintain that salvation. When Paul and Peter in
giving instruction on women’s clothing on how to dress, didn't used the word pants. Why was that? Because all
nations or cultures don’t have the same dress apparel. Example, in the Middle East, they ( Men and Women )
wear robe type garments as clothing, to us in the United States they all look somewhat alike, however they, the
Middle Eastern people in their culture know the difference between the robe type garment for a man and for a
woman and each to his or her own. We have difficulties determining the difference because we don’t know that
culture and a robe is a robe to us. The reason Paul used the word Modest to define how a woman should
dress is because different nations are different cultures with different types of clothing according to their
culture. The wearing of robes is not an American clothing culture, with the exception of a bath robe of course.
The Scottish men wear Kilts, it is part of their clothing culture, to us, it appears to be a woman’s garment. Why
is that? Because it looks like a dress and a dress is a woman’s garment in our ( American ) culture. It is a fact
that in early American culture men wore Pants and women wore Dresses, that is historical fact, it is also
fact that until the Women’s Liberation Movement began, that women wore dresses and their hair Un-Cut. In this
movement, American women began to rebel against nature and the word of God, they began to wear men’s
garments ( Pants ) and to cut their hair which is forbidden in scripture. The word Modest was used to include
all cultures, whether American, Middle Eastern, or Scottish etc. To find the best definition for Modest let us look
into the word of the Lord. ( Deut. 22:5 ) “ The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man,
neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy
God “ It is immodest and an abomination for men and women to cross dress. We use this passage of scripture
not to bring us under the yoke of the law of Moses, but to define the New Testament word Modest.
Why are these things so important to the Lord? Clothing is designed to hide our nakedness, so that we
can present ourselves modest to the world and the Lord in worship. Second, to show a distinction between
the male and female. Despite what a lot of Apostolic Churches are teaching today, there is still male and
female in the body of Christ. It is only when it pertains to salvation that there is neither male nor female, bond
nor free, Jew nor Greek, meaning that anyone, male or female can be saved. Paul makes it clear in ( 1st Cor.
11:1-16 ) that there is to be a clear distinction between the sexes, the male and female in appearance, using
the subject of hair. The woman is to let her hair grow ( Un-cut ) ( No Trimming or Cutting ) and the man is
to cut his hair, showing a clear distinction between the two, along with the dress code for both. In Paul’s
teaching to the Church at Corinth he uses the word Shorn in reference to women’s hair, Shorn is a Greek
word that means: To Cut or Clip. He goes on to say that a woman’s long ( Un-cut ) hair is her glory
and that it is against nature itself for a man to have long hair and a woman to cut hers. There are those that
would teach that the teaching here is concerning the wearing of clothing veils and that a woman should wear a
veil, which is a Middle Eastern Custom. Paul plainly tells us that a woman’s HAIR was given her for a covering
( Not a clothing veil ) and that covering is to be Un-cut and if she rebels and cuts or trims her hair she
dishonors her head. Modesty depicts Honor. Paul concludes that teaching in verse 16 “ But if any man
seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God “ In Middle Eastern
Culture it is custom for a woman when going out in public to wear a veil, Paul is saying, that in the Church of
God we do not observe customs, but what the word of God teaches. A woman has a natural veil, her hair, and
has no need for the other and that natural veil ( Her Hair ) is to be Un-Cut.
Conclusion: The instructions given by Apostle Paul and Peter as to how women are to dress is plain and
clear. A woman is to dress in modest apparel with shamefacedness and sobriety, not over adorning herself with
jewelry. Wedding rings and watches are permitted. She is to dress as a woman in her culture. In America she is
not permitted to wear pants, because pants is clearly a man’s garment. Some will try and skate around
these teachings and allow women to wear culottes and gauchos and etc., understand, any outer garment with
legs in our culture is a man’s garment and is not permitted. She is to wear her hair Un-cut, no Trimming or
Plaiting. Solomon summed it up in ( Proverbs 31:10 ) “ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is
far above rubies “ ( Psalms 96:9 ) The Psalmist said: “ O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
fear before him, all the earth “ I wonder where the fear of the Lord is, in a lot of Churches today.
Men as well as women are to dress modestly, even though there’s not as much teaching on dress codes for
men as women. Men are to hide their nakedness. The Lord made a coat for Adam as well as Eve. We cannot
over adorn ourselves with jewelry, and we are to wear our hair according to scripture, short. Men are to dress
and act like men, showing a clear distinction. As to the wearing of beards, there is no scripture against men
wearing beards, on the contrary, great men of the Bible wore beards, Aaron the high priest, David the giant
slayer, and Jesus himself. ( Isaiah 50:6 ) “ I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that
plucked off the hair ( Beard ) I hid my not my face from shame and spitting “ What a more clear
distinction could there be, between a man and a woman than a beard.
This is just a brief summary of the doctrine of Holiness, but understand that holiness is not just Un-cut hair for
the woman, short hair for the man and decent clothing for both the male and female, make-up, jewelry and
etc., A person can deny themselves all of the things and be a gossiper, a liar, thief, back bitter or tale
bearer and be just as unholy.
Rev. Ronnie L. Wolford, Pastor
Have A Question? Email me: ronniewolford@bellsouth.net
Church Webpage: http://www.ronniewolford.com
