modesty part 3

This has been copied and are not my own words.

These are all issues we need to seriously consider when choosing our wardrobe. It is clear God wants us to dress in “modest apparel.” But does He leave it up to individual interpretation what "modest apparel" is? My neighbor thinks her leather mini skirts and halter tops are modest because she covers the important" areas. Does the fact that she *feels* she is being modest make it so? What about the pastor's wife who wears short dresses and sits at the front of the church playing the piano as her skirt rises higher and higher? If she has decided in her heart she is being modest, does it make it right? Is everyone supposed to decide what is modest for themselves or does God give us any guidelines at all?

There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. Proverbs 30:12

Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Isaiah 5:21


In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, (katastole) with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 1Timothy 2:9

What does the Greek word “katastole” (apparel) mean? In our modern society, the word apparel could mean a bikini! Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words tells us “katastole” is connected with “katastello,” which means "to send or let down, to lower" (kata, "down," stello, "to send"), was primarily a garment let down; hence, "dress, attire," in general (cf. stole, a loose outer garment worn by kings and persons of rank.) This describes a long, flowing robe-type garment.

The only time the word “katastole” is used is when it is describing how a woman is to dress AND it is a verse that is specifically addressing modesty. It describes a LONG, FLOWING, LOOSE, outer garment. All other references to “apparel” in the New Testament are gender neutral. They simply mean “clothing” or “to clothe.” We are to understand that as women, our clothing should be long, flowing and loose.