1 Timothy 2:9

In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works.

Adorn ... in modest apparel ... Every year, there are publications of the list of "best dressed women." Best dressed for what? They are misguided indeed who think that the most expensive, or the latest, or the most fashionable attire is in any sense "best"; and there have been many instances in which it was worst." As Barackman said:

Note that Paul did not say "careless" or "shabby." There is no virtue in offensive untidiness. What he meant was the kind of apparel that becomes a woman whose first concern is to be a credit to Christ.[20]

"Neither is Paul insisting on drab dress. Even this may be worn with vanity; the very drabness may be made a display."[21]

Perhaps the best comment on this passage is the writing of the apostle Peter who gave instructions along the same line, thus:

Your beauty should not be dependent upon an elaborate coiffure, or on the wearing of jewelry or fine clothes, but on the inner personality - the unfading loveliness of a calm and gentle spirit, a thing very precious in the eyes of God (1 Peter 3:3,4; Phillips).

The inherent good sense of the church in all ages has permitted and approved the wearing of some ornaments, as for example, gold wedding rings; and there can, in fact, be no authority whatever in these passages for the imposition of a church-administered dress code. Even the gold, pearls, etc., mentioned are not prohibited, but downgraded. The true ornament is not such things, but the spiritual loveliness and beauty of genuine Christianity. As Kelly observed:

We are true to the spirit of these passages when we say that the dress of Christians at public worship should be marked by simplicity and taste, but it does not follow that the church should attempt by specific rules to regulate the dress of her members.[22]

Through good works ... The nature of the good works mentioned here is elaborated in this epistle a little later (1 Timothy 5:9).

[20] Paul F. Barakman, The Epistles to Timothy and Titus (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1962), p. 36.

[21]R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 560.

[22] Balmer H. Kelly, The Layman's Bible Commentary, Vol. 23 (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1963), p. 74.