The Holy Bible Verses

1 Timothy 2:9

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Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.

“In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not justThe word “just” is inserted here in English to preserve the meaning of the whole original Greek sentence in context. The word for “not” is the negative particle “μη” which denies an expected idea, as opposed to the usual word for “not” (ου) which denies a fact. Thus “μη” in this context is denying an expected idea (that women can be properly dressed without good works). with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;”

— WEB

“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;”

— KJV

“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;”

— ASV

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Commentary

I. Here is a charge, that women who profess the Christian religion should be modest, sober, silent, and submissive, as becomes their place. 1. They must be very modest in their apparel, not affecting gaudiness, gaiety, or costliness (you may read the vanity of a person's mind in the gaiety and gaudiness of his habit), because they have better ornaments with which they should adorn themselves, with good works. Note, Good works are the best ornament; these are, in the sight of God, of great price. Those that profess godliness should, in their dress, as well as other things, act as becomes their profession; instead of laying out their money on fine clothes, they must lay it out in works of piety and charity, which are properly called good works. 2. Women must learn the principles of their religion, learn Christ, learn the scriptures; they must not think that their sex excuses them from that learning which is necessary to salvation. 3. They must be silent, submissive, and subject, and not usurp authority. The reason given is because Adam was first formed, then Eve out of him, to denote her subordination to him and dependence upon him; and that she was made for him, to be a help-meet for him. And as she was last in the creation, which is one reason for her subjection, so she was first in the transgression, and that is another reason.

— Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary (public domain)

The context requires that we understand these directions as to women, in relation to their deportment in public worship, though the rules will hold good on other occasions also. in modest apparel--"in seemly guise" [ELLICOTT]. The adjective means properly. orderly, decorous, becoming; the noun in secular writings means conduct, bearing. But here "apparel." Women are apt to love fine dress; and at Ephesus the riches of some (Ti1 6:17) would lead them to dress luxuriously. The Greek in Tit 2:3 is a more general term meaning "deportment." shamefacedness--TRENCH spells this word according to its true derivation, "shamefastness" (that which is made fast by an honorable shame); as "steadfastness" (compare Ti1 2:11-12). sobriety--"self-restraint" [ALFORD]. Habitual inner self-government [TRENCH]. I prefer ELLICOTT'S translation, "sober-mindedness": the well-balanced state of mind arising from habitual self-restraint. with--Greek, "in." braided hair--literally, "plaits," that is, plaited hair: probably with the "gold and pearls" intertwined (Pe1 3:3). Such gaud is characteristic of the spiritual harlot (Rev 17:4).

— Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)

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