Inner Beauty the Glow of Godliness: 1 Timothy 2:9-10
“9) Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, 10) but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.” 1 Timothy 2:9-10
Paul now turns to a brief discussion about women. Notice, he starts with the word “likewise.” Just as he wanted men to lift up holy hands without wrath or dissension, so also he wanted Christian women to focus on inner character and virtue rather outward worldly values.
Again, I see a direct connection back to 1 Timothy 1:5; “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and good conscience and sincere faith.” Paul wanted both men and women to focus on inward growth and virtue with the goal of personal godliness rather than focusing on external appearance or self promotion.
It is natural for both men and women to be self-centered rather than Christ-centered. It is natural to focus on the outward rather than the inward. It is natural live to glorify self rather than to glorify Christ. It is natural to promote self rather than promote Christ. It is natural to adorn the flesh and groom the body rather than become mighty in spirit and embrace godliness. It is natural to be attractive to draw attention to self rather than pointing people to Jesus. It is easy to look good outwardly, it is hard to be good and godly inwardly.
Paul was not saying that Christians should neglect their appearance or personal hygiene. He was simply saying that true beauty is inward and not outward. Hollywood is full of people who are handsome or beautiful outwardly, but inwardly are depressed, downcast and morally deprived. They are very ugly inwardly and in short order is shows up outwardly as well.
God wants every Christian to place top priority on inward adornment. You can fake outward appearance and hide all kinds of blemishes with makeup; but you cannot coverup a sinful, bitter or corrupt heart. The heart knows it’s own bitterness. At some point you need to face your true self.
The work of the Holy Spirit starts by transforming the inward heart. He doesn’t cover up sinfulness; He exposes it. He does a deep, thorough and pure cleansing from the inside. He forgives the sin, heals the wounds and makes people whole. He leads them to freedom.
This inner transformation soon shows up on the outward countenance. Like Moses, truly godly people begin to glow. Gods approach to beautification is totally different from the worlds.
This whole subject is an amazing study in Scripture. It is totally missed by those who claim Paul was being a male chauvinist in this text. Sadly, they miss what God is saying in these verses.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global