When it comes to high fashion and the latest hairstyles,

I have no idea I don't pay any attention to these kinds of trends.

Today on Truth For Life, however, we'll find out how God's guidelines for beauty are timeless.

Alistair Begg takes us to Chapter 2 in 1 Timothy.

We're looking at verses 9 through 15.

Now we know by this time in our studies that the wider context in which Paul is addressing these issues,

is that of his desire to ensure that Timothy as the pastor will be clear as to how God's people should conduct themselves in God's household.

In verse 8, he has made it clear that it is important if there is to be propriety in public worship that men in exercising their office and in fulfilling their responsibility in praying should do so in a way that is not marred by anger or by disputing.

When he comes to verse 9, he then addresses the women and his concern is exactly the same concern, namely for propriety in public worship.

The concern that he has for women is different in relationship to their activities, but the net impact of his instruction for women is in parallel to that of his instruction for men.

Namely, both sexes are to live holy lives and both sexes are to participate in public worship according to God's divine instruction.

In verse 9a, what we have is a principle about women's dress and the principle is this.

In a woman's dress in the context of public worship, it is to be marked by modesty, decency and propriety.

The principle can be understood by paying careful attention and at the same time by cross-referencing this statement with what Peter says in 1 Peter chapter 3 and verse 3.

In a similar point of emphasis, he says to the women, your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.

Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and a quiet spirit which is of great worth in God's sight.

Now notice that the instruction is given to those who profess to worship God.

A wooden application of 1 Peter 3, especially as it is translated in the King James Version would lead us into some severe difficulties.

Because if you have a King James Version and I don't have it in front of me, but from recollection, it reads something like this.

Your adornment, ladies, should not be in the wearing of clothes. That's the King James.

Your adornment should not be in the wearing of clothes. Now a wooden application of that would of course create some very interesting worship services.

And clearly that is not what he is saying, right?

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