Dr Paul Allen

I have recently seen some debate about what “modest” means in 1 Timothy 2:9. Some say it addresses extravagantly expensive clothing, while others claim it addresses sexually provocative clothing. Here’s the text: “Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire…” –1 Timothy 2:9 I just did a round-up of significant commentaries on the question. By and large, they don’t treat the term as an either/or but as a both/and. In general, they argue that in the ancient world, ostentatious dress often appeared “enticing.” So to dress in a “modest” way would avoid both extravagance and seduction. Was this cultural, or is it a principle for both men and women today not to draw attention to themselves? Can we dress nicely? What is the issue? You can read what I found in the quotations below. “aidos, ‘modesty, respectful fear, discretion, propriety’… It became used for individuals’ attitudes to themselves a...

English: Drawing by Dave Pearson from his 4th series from the Book of Revelation (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.” ( Revelation 1:13 ) In the beginning, at the creation of Eve from Adam’s side, “they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed ” ( Genesis 2:25 ). There was no need for shame at their lack of clothing for neither had any consciousness of sin or moral guilt. They were truly “one flesh” (v. 24), aware that their physiological differences had been divinely created to bring about God ’s purposes for His creation. Any embarrassment would have been quite unnatural. But soon sin entered; they rejected God’s purposes and plan for their lives. Satan had promised they would acquire wisdom, but what was their first taste of wisdom? “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were nake...

Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553): Adam and Eve. Beech wood, 1533. Bode-Museum, Berlin (Erworben 1830, Königliche Schlösser, Gemäldegalerie Kat. 567) (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” ( Genesis 3:21 ) This action by the Lord is very significant. God Himself apparently sacrificed some of His animal creation (possibly two innocent and blemish-free sheep) in order to provide clothing for the first man and woman. In the first place, this tells us that clothing is important in God’s plan for human beings; nudity became shameful once sin entered the world. In the second place, we learn that symbolically speaking, clothing must be provided by God Himself. Man-made “aprons” of fig leaves will not suffice, as they represent human works of righteousness which can never make us presentable to God: “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” ( Isaiah 64:6 ). However, Go...

"They cast lots upon my vesture", Psalms 22:19), (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment ; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." ( Psalm 102:25-27 ) This remarkable passage, quoted also in Hebrews 1:10-12 , anticipates the famous second law of thermodynamics , or law of entropy, indicating that everything in the physical universe is growing old and wearing out. God created everything in the beginning, winding it up like a great clock, so to speak. Because of sin and the curse, however, it has been running down and "perishing" ever since. Jesus also said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away" (literally, "are passing away ") ( Matthew 24:35 ). This universal scientific law is also ant...

English: Stained glass panel in the nave of St. John's Anglican Church, Ashfield, New South Wales (NSW). This window depicts Jesus Christ welcoming children and teaching "of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:14). The inscription on this memorial window reads "To the Glory of God and in Commemoration of all the Baptisms in this Church † Erected John the Baptist Day 1932". (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” ( Matthew 6:19–20 ). In Matthew 6:19–34, Jesus discusses the orientation toward life that is to characterize the family of God . We need to bear in mind that Jesus is providing us with aphorisms that address our attitudes. He is not contradicting other passages of His Word where we are told to be careful in our use of possessions. He says that treasures laid up on earth do not last. Prec...

Image via Wikipedia We should be slow to treat Jesus as if he doesn’t know what he is doing. He is not naïve in the way he deals with our anxiety .  In Matthew 6:25-34 he tells us three times not to be anxious (vv. 25, 31, 34) and gives us eight reasons not to be anxious. Evidently he thinks this will help. So don’t call it simplistic. Call it grace. Believe him. Take every reason and preach it to your soul as true.  Here’s a summary of what he said: Life is more than food and the body more than clothing (Matthew 6:25). God feeds the birds and you are more valuable than they are (Matthew 6:26). It's pointless. It adds not one hour to your life ( Matthew 6:27 ). If God clothes ephemeral grass, he will clothe eternal you (Matthew 6:28-30). Unbelievers are anxious about stuff. And you are not an unbelieve r(Matthew 6:32a). Your father (!) knows that you need all these things you're anxious about (Matthew 6:32b). When you seek first God's kingdom and righte...