Should Women Wear Jewelry?

Yes.

I could end the post there, and we would be good to go. However, I would like to take some time to explain why I said “Yes.”

In 1 Timothy 2:9-15 Paul wrote concerning the work and role of women. His goal was to explain to women their proper presence in the church, both in the worship times and out of the worship times. Just as for men, a woman’s godliness is not a display only for the times the church meets. In fact, the daily display of a woman is exactly what Paul is concerned about and is the topic he is dealing with directly

It would seem that in the church in Ephesus there were women who had weaseled their way in to leadership, which is why Paul brings up the issue of teaching (v.12). Women in the church of Ephesus were teaching the church collectively and were teaching men. In that capacity, they were acting in the place of men as well. That is a transgression of what the Lord has created women for in creation and in the church.

However, he begins the section with a consideration of how a woman should dress. Again, this is not simply how to dress up for church. Rather, Paul meant it to give a woman instruction, guidelines, principles, for her understanding of how she should see herself and what godliness looks like in reference to this matter. In other words, these are direct instructions meant to be obeyed, but the instructions are also meant to direct her mind and heart so that she would agree with the instructions and become wise concerning her apparel.

Paul clearly wrote that he desires a woman to “adorn” herself (v.9). This word, “adorn,” is the word that we get “cosmetics” from. It is the word “cosmos” in verb form (actually it is an infinitive of purpose). He is encouraging, indeed commanding, the women to take the time necessary to look beautiful as the word indicates an orderly arrangement of dress and clothing. The assumption is that it is an orderly arrangement that enhances beauty and appearance. It cannot refer to something that is bland, or a command for women to do what they can to avoid beauty. The natural beauty of a woman, enhanced by proper arrangement of clothing and apparel, including jewelry, is absolutely appropriate. The instruction is to be sure to arrange your appearance properly.

In addition to that command, instruction, Paul gives to Timothy what “proper” looks likely. The first word the Spirit of God wrote here is the word “modestly.” This Greek word has the idea of reverence, dignity, and is the demeanor of one who is in the presence of God. The level of dignity that should accompany a woman’s arrangement of herself is in view where. For a woman to be sloppy, disarranged, dirty, disheveled, or improper, is a lack of dignity and, therefore, beauty. To spend time finding the right attire, and the right necklace, earring set, etc… is the idea here. It takes effort. It requires attention. You should not over do it, which is obvious in this section. But, you should not “under-do it” either. It is altogether appropriate for the church to appreciate beauty (Philippians 1:9-11; 4:8) and that would include how a woman dresses. The church should also appreciate the handsomeness of a man, but that is a difference blog post.

The next word is “discreetly.” This word means “self control, sound thinking,” or “having your ideas of right and wrong unaffected by passion or sensual, emotional, desire.” The last is a bit of an implication to this context, but is certainly appropriate. A godly woman does not arrange herself in order to be noticed, certainly sensually, by a man, or by the church in general. She is not governed in her dress by the flashy, prominent, nor the expensive. She is wanting to be beautiful for the display of the glory of God (Exodus 28:2, 40). She is not illicit, sensual, nor is she simply foolish and unaware of how her dress affects men, and women, around her. She is alert to the dangers of immodesty and carefully crafts her attire in such a way as to put effort and thought into her arrangement. She is smart, thoughtful, and seeks to hide herself behind God’s glory in appropriate beauty. She also dresses in such a way as to be able to perform good works (v.10).

Her jewelry must follows these guidelines. She needs to think this way. A woman’s beauty is a powerful tool, or weapon, needs to be handled carefully. It is an asset to the church as much as beautiful tapestry and woven gold in the Tabernacle. She must not be overly bland and drab, as that is not pleasing to the eye. However, neither should she be loud, outrageous, and provocative such that people are allured, or disgusted. The arrangement of a man or woman in the church creates a wonderful atmosphere in which God can be praised and given glory so that beauty is appreciated and maintained in the church.