There is no way to address women in ministry without also addressing the dress code of the woman. It seems that this particular subject has been the focus of many preachers and denominations. What is the proper dress code for born- again believing women, and moreover female ministers? This question like all the others is answered in the scriptures.
B. JEWELRY, HAIR, MAKE-UP, ETC
1 Timothy 2:9
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;
Paul is not condemning the wearing of jewelry nor the braiding of hair. He is simply making the female character the focal point of her attire. He instructs them to be adorned with not only modest apparel, but with character in Christ (shamefacedness and sobriety). For this particular topic it is important for us to remember the 3rd rule of Biblical Interpretation; out of the mouth of 2/3 must every word be established.
1 Peter 3:1-4
1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Here we see Peter confirming what Paul taught, but not in the way that many think He is. When we examine his words, we will realize that he is making a comparison. The comparison is between adorning yourself with jewelry, as opposed to character. Both, Peter and Paul were dealing with a mindset that many women have taken on. They are so concerned with the outward appearance and their character is far from Christ. Paul and Peter are both encouraging ladies to be endowed with beautiful character instead of focusing so much on how they look on the outside.This is especially true, because it was a custom in that time, for women to be excessive with these things. They wore big braided hair with gold. They were excessive with jewelry. The apostles did not want this attitude of heart being the focus of the women of God. So, they were instructed to clothe themselves in character, instead of those things other women were being clothed with. It is that same character that will teach them how to apply their jewelry, make-up, etc. with modesty.
There is also nothing wrong with wearing these things. In fact, as it relates to jewelry, God gave Israel much jewelry and costly array when they departed from Egypt. If He had a problem with jewelry, why did He give it to His people? Moreover, why was there no rebuke to the men who wear jewelry? The children of Israel did not sin until they took off their jewelry to build an idol. So, wearing jewelry is not a sin, it is a sin to be caught up in the pride of self. So be cautious to apply these things with modesty.
C. WEARING PANTS
Deuteronomy 22:5
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God. Some have concluded that a woman should not wear pants. However, this is not what the Lord was dealing with. The Lord was setting boundaries against homosexuality. A man should not dress himself to look like a woman, and vice versa. This scripture is relevant based on culture. In some cultures men wear kilts, and it takes nothing from their manliness to do so.
On the other hand, in other cultures it would be an abomination for a man to wear a kilt. I cannot then make my preference a law by saying, it is a sin for a man to wear a kilt. Likewise, it is not a sin for a woman to wear pants. In our culture, it is typical for women to wear pants and many are designed specifically for women. The most important thing to be judged in all of this is motive. Why do we do the things that we do? If a woman wears pants to portray that of a man, then that is a disposition of the heart that she would know in herself. We must be led by the Spirit in all things and deal in truth.
CONCLUSION
There are many other things that some have used to bind women in ministry. Some have taken the law and applied it to the church; but Christ is the end of the law. The burden is now on the older women to teach the younger women modesty accordingly. Though something may not be a sin, it may not be expedient for an individual depending on their spiritual location.
