Biblical modesty

Imagine you're trying to get a good grade in Bible school, and answer these questions

1. Who is behind the attack on the God-designed roles for men and women?

2. Describe the circumstances that prompted Paul to write 1 Timothy.

3. What was Paul’s main purpose in writing 1 Timothy (3:11–45)?

4. What were some of the problems involving the women in the Ephesian church?

5. What is the significance of the phrase “in like manner” in verse 9?

6. Describe the cultural setting in which the Ephesian church found itself regarding women’s clothing.

7. True or false: According to the Bible, it is always wrong for women to wear expensive jewelry and clothes.

8. How can a woman know if she is properly dressed to attend the worship service?

9. A woman is not to be preoccupied with _____ _____ _____ but _____ _____ _____.

10. What should be a woman’s attitude toward distracting some one from worshiping God?

11. Why might Paul have included “husband of one wife” as one of the qualifications for church leaders?

12. How did the Corinthians defend their toleration of sexual sin (cf. 1 Cor. 6:18)?

13. What is Paul’s counsel on how to avoid sexual sin (cf. 1 Cor. 6:18)?

Below is a set of responses that integrate biblical teaching and a conservative interpretation of the texts:

1. Who is behind the attack on the God‐designed roles for men and women?
   The Bible teaches that the enemy works to undermine God’s created order. Many interpreters understand that Satan and his influence—as expressed through false teaching and the prevailing cultural philosophies—are behind efforts to distort or reject the distinct roles God has established for men and women.

2. Describe the circumstances that prompted Paul to write 1 Timothy.
   Paul wrote 1 Timothy as a pastoral letter to guide his young protégé, Timothy, who was leading the church in Ephesus. The letter was prompted by the need to counter false doctrine, restore order in the church, and establish sound qualifications for leaders. Paul wanted to ensure that the church maintained doctrinal purity and proper conduct in the midst of cultural pressures and internal challenges.

3. What was Paul’s main purpose in writing 1 Timothy (3:11–45)?
   In the portion addressing qualifications for church leaders, Paul’s primary purpose was to set clear standards for those serving in ministry. He detailed the character, conduct, and relational qualifications—both for elders (overseers) and deacons (including their wives, in some manuscripts)—so that the church’s leadership would be above reproach and able to guide the community in truth and godly living.

4. What were some of the problems involving the women in the Ephesian church?
   The Ephesian church, located in a culturally pagan environment, was affected by local customs that emphasized lavish dress and outward display. This sometimes led to issues where some women became overly preoccupied with fashionable, expensive attire and accessories. Such focus not only distracted from the worship of God but also sometimes blurred the biblical call for modesty and proper order in the church.

5. What is the significance of the phrase “in like manner” in verse 9?
   The phrase “in like manner” is used to draw a parallel between the guidelines given to different groups within the church. It stresses that just as there are specific standards for men in leadership and conduct, similar principles of order, modesty, and godly behavior apply to women. The phrase reinforces the idea that both genders are called to reflect God’s order in their conduct, especially in the worship setting.

6. Describe the cultural setting in which the Ephesian church found itself regarding women’s clothing.
   Ephesus was a major center of pagan worship and commerce, where elaborate and expensive dress was a sign of status and beauty. Women in the surrounding culture often embraced extravagant jewelry and fashionable garments. This cultural norm posed a challenge for the church, which was called to a standard of modesty and simplicity that contrasted sharply with the prevailing fashions of the day.

7. True or false: According to the Bible, it is always wrong for women to wear expensive jewelry and clothes.
   False. The Bible calls for modesty and propriety rather than imposing a blanket prohibition on expensive or fashionable items. The focus is on ensuring that attire does not distract from worship or promote vanity.

8. How can a woman know if she is properly dressed to attend the worship service?
   A woman can examine her attire in light of biblical principles of modesty, dignity, and simplicity. If her clothing reflects humility rather than a desire for attention, and if it aligns with the standards taught by her local church community, then she is dressed appropriately. Essentially, the goal is to honor God with one’s appearance and to avoid distractions that might lead others away from reverence in worship.

9. A woman is not to be preoccupied with _____ _____ _____ but _____ _____ _____.
   Her outward adornment but her inner beauty.
   (This reflects the biblical emphasis—seen for example in 1 Peter 3:3–4—that true worth comes from inner character rather than external trappings.)

10. What should be a woman’s attitude toward distracting someone from worshiping God?
    A woman should be sensitive and considerate, recognizing that her conduct and appearance can either draw focus toward or away from the worship of God. With a heart for others and a desire to honor God, she should be willing to adjust her behavior or attire so that nothing becomes a stumbling block for a fellow believer’s devotion.

11. Why might Paul have included “husband of one wife” as one of the qualifications for church leaders?
    This requirement underscores the importance of marital fidelity and character. By insisting that leaders be “husband of one wife,” Paul highlights the need for commitment, self-control, and a life that reflects the unity and faithfulness of Christ’s relationship with His church. It served as a test of a leader’s ability to maintain order in both his private and public life.

12. How did the Corinthians defend their toleration of sexual sin (cf. 1 Cor. 6:18)?
    In part, some in the Corinthian church argued from the notion that “all things are permissible” in the freedom they believed they had in Christ. This attitude led them to downplay the seriousness of sexual sin, even though Paul reminds them that such sin defiles the body—a temple of the Holy Spirit—and carries eternal consequences.

13. What is Paul’s counsel on how to avoid sexual sin (cf. 1 Cor. 6:18)?
    Paul counsels believers to “flee from sexual immorality.” This means actively avoiding any situation that might lead to such sin, being vigilant over one’s own actions, and honoring God by keeping the body pure as a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. In essence, it is a call to live in a manner that is both self-disciplined and reverent toward God.

These answers aim to reflect a thoughtful engagement with the texts and the cultural issues the early church faced, while also applying timeless biblical principles to the questions at hand.

The questions were from the end of chapter 1 of God’s High Calling for Women, by John MacArthur. ChatGPT (o3-mini) was not told this, or given other text from the book; there was no additional conversation context.