Is The Wearing Of Jewelry Forbidden In The Bible?

Some wrongly apply 1 Timothy 2:9-10 to mean that women are not allowed to wear jewelry. But that is not what the scripture implies. Please note:

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” I Peter 3:3 also discusses “plaiting the hair.”

These scriptures refer to a Greek custom of intertwining gold strands through the hair. Today, this could be applied to many of the outlandish hairstyle we see. It has nothing to do with women normally braiding their hair.

Further, neither do these scriptures forbid the use of jewelry. Paul is merely condemning the wrong use of clothes and jewelry, not the items themselves. A woman who places her primary emphasis on her physical attire, while neglecting her spiritual character, fails to grow in humbleness.

Many scriptures such as Exodus 3:22 show that God allowed the use of jewelry, where He instructed the Israelites to take away jewels of gold and silver from the Egyptians and to put them on their sons and daughters. In Ezekiel 16:11-13, God says that He figuratively bedecked Israel with earrings, bracelets, a crown and other jewelry.

So, modest use of jewelry is not condemned in the Bible; only such use of jewelry as detracts from a woman’s character should be rejected. Real beauty is in the heart, and radiates outward in modesty, with proper clothing and jewelry of good taste and quality. This is right and proper in God’s sight and reflects the real jewel, which is a humble spirit, a contrite heart and virtuous character.

Does The Bible Give Guidelines On Clothing Standards?

Christians should always use the Bible as a guideline for how they represent themselves. Scriptures tell us God’s true Christians are the light of the world (Math. 5:14), and as such are ambassadors for God in conduct and appearance.

Looking to scripture, there are three principles which can applied when selecting clothing:

1) Is it modest apparel? (1 Timothy 2:9). Christian women should never wear clothing that might be arousing to the opposite sex. This includes miniskirts, overly revealing bathing suits, and dresses that expose cleavage or are too tight. These are not appropriate — their intent is to cause arousal, which does not express good taste or wisdom.

Modest apparel should also not reflect extremes in fashion. Tongue and nose rings, excessively high heels, an inordinate amount of jewelry, overly baggy pants and outlandish hairstyles all reveal an attitude of immodesty. On the other hand, clothing which goes against all conventions of style would also be a wrong extreme. The Christians’ life should be one of balance and moderation, never (Philippians 4:5).

2) Is the clothing of good quality? Being modest does not mean we have to dress in a drab fashion. Rather, we should maintain high standards by buying the highest-quality clothing within the limits of what we can afford. Being a light to the world means setting an example for others to follow. Therefore, our clothing should be sharp, reflect balance and good taste.

3) Is it appropriate for the occasion? A formal dinner requires a different outfit than a more casual event, to avoid standing out. In addition, many denominations allow people to attend services dressed any way they want. So one will come in shorts, while another wears jeans or coverall. Casual clothing is never the standard God expects from His true adherents at Church services — after all, they are appearing before the God of the universe.

Are The Resurrected Saints Of Matthew 27:52 Immortal?

As of this time no man, except Jesus Christ, has been resurrected to immortality. However, the Bible does state that at the resurrection at His Second Coming (I Thes. 4:13-17; I Cor. 15:50-53), the saints of God will be given eternal life.

So let’s explain Matthew 27:52, where we actually find a recorded instance of a multiple resurrection:

“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose.”

Notice, that the scripture specifically says their [physical] bodies arose. Further, in verse 53, we see that they appeared unto many. This was a physical resurrection, not a spiritual one. These saints lived out their lives, died again and now await their spiritual resurrection at Jesus Christ’s return, as do all of the saints who have died.

Did God Allow Polygamy In Ancient Times?

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Though the Bible does show numerous examples of polygamy, there are is never an example of God condoning this type of relationships. From the beginning, marriage was designed as a union between one man and one woman. The first command of marriage is found in Genesis 2:24:

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” The sanctity of marriage is protected by the Seventh Commandment (Exod. 20:14).

Notice that the scripture above says, his “wife” [singular]. God specifically forbade the kings to practice polygamy, saying, “Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away” (Deut. 17:17).

Still, the Old Testament gives many examples of kings marrying multiple wives; in rank defiance of God’s law, which resulted in punishment incurred for this sin. One specific example is that of King David, though he later repented of this sin and put away his wives and his concubines, except one (II Sam. 20:3). These women lived in widowhood for the rest of their days.

Looking to the NT, we find in I Timothy 3:2, that one of the qualifications for a minister is that he be the husband of one wife. A polygamist can’t even serve as a deacon in God’s Church (v. 12). Why is this point so important? Because your Bible states that the marriage relationship is a type of the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Church. He will marry only one Church:

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife [singular] hath made herself ready” (Rev. 19:7).

Christ will marry only one wife, and seeing the multiple examples of Biblical instruction, we can easily deduce that polygamy is a sin in God’s eyes. It was never condoned in Old Testament times, and it is not condoned today.

Is the Eating Of Unclean Meat Condoned In NT Times?

In I Corinthians 10:27 it says, “If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.” For many, this seems to clearly indicate that God now allows the eating of unclean meats. But if you carefully observe the context of the subject under discussion, you will find that this verse is actually addressing whether it is appropriate to eat meat that has been offered to idols.

We have to understand that Paul was speaking to newly converted Corinthians, whose daily ritual comprised sacrificing to various idols. The sacrificed meat from the pagan temples was usually eaten by the person who brought it. But if any was left over, the priests would sell to the local butchers.

Paul was teaching the Corinthians to abstain from these pagan sacrifices to devils (I Cor. 10:20), which was a sin. But, as he told them, there was no special significance to either the idols [made of wood or stone], or the meat that was being offered to them (v. 19). Therefore, the Corinthians did not need to ask if the meat they were buying at the market, or eating at the home of a non-believer, had been offered to idols. In fact, Christians were admonished not to ask, “for conscience’ sake” if the meat they were served had been sacrificed to an idol, as then eating it made them appear to compromise their beliefs.

Paul deemed the history of the meat, tied to pagan idolatry, as irrelevant, not the eating of unclean meats. This distinction must be made clear, as God’s dietary laws of Leviticus 11 are still applicable today.