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270» 1Tim 2:9-10 . . In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in
modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or
gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becomes women professing piety)
with good works.
The Greek word for "sobriety" means soundness of mind; viz: sane,
composed, and self controlled. A woman in the throes of hysteria, passionate
rage, misandry, door-slamming, or a hissy fit doesn't fit the definition.
Some folk, obsessed with asceticism, use that verse to prove it's wrong for
women to use cosmetics and dress themselves in current fashions. But the
passage doesn't forbid that. What it forbids is a woman putting a higher
priority on her appearance than her character.
The old adage "You can't judge a book by its cover" applies here as well as
in literature. I've met women with tattoos, studs in their tongues,
multicolored hair, fishnet stockings, outrageous earrings, tight-fitting concert
tee shirts, low-slung hip huggers, and black lipstick that were really peaches
while I've met elegant, neatly dressed women with horrible personalities.
They say a rose in any language is still a rose; yeah, well, a pig, no matter
how it's dressed, is still a pig whether in belly shirts and flip-flops or haute
couture.
● Prov 11:22 . . An attractive woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring
in a pig's snout. (cf. 1Pet 3:1-6)
The Greek word for "shamefacedness" is aidos means bashfulness, i.e.
diffidence; which is just the opposite of insolence, impudence, and
brazenness. Bashful people have a hard time looking people in the eye
because they are so shy, non-confrontational, timid, self conscious, and non
assertive. What we're looking at here relates to one of The Lord's beatitudes.
● Matt 5:3 . . Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
That's a very comforting beatitude because it confirms that there's coming a
day when difficult people will be eradicated.
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