-Likewise women... So, Paul turns his thoughts to what could potentially hinder women from joining in on this great gathering of prayer and celebration, of intercession intended to further the progress of the Good News in the lives of all men (and women). And Paul focuses on looks. He focuses on a woman’s looks - because let’s be honest. Most women probably care more about how they look than most men. And that partly because the men care more about how the women look. Men tend to be attracted by sight, and quite frankly, women do tend to be more beautiful to look at than men. The Lord actually wired things this way to help grease that whole process of fulfilling His command to be fruitful and multiply. The daughters of Eve are most definitely more pleasant to look at - especially when they decorate themselves in all the ways they are able to do that. What they do with their hair, with their makeup, with their jewelry, and accessories. They can do it up right! Girl, I know you know how to do that. And here is where the hindrance can tend to come in. Women focusing on how they look - in their own eyes, how they look to men (or maybe just that one guy?), AND how they look compared to other women. Even focusing on how their man may compare them to other women. But women dress to the nines, right? They even dress to kill. Think about that. They indeed do have the ability to decorate themselves in such a way as to get a guy’s eyes squarely onto them. To all of which Paul says, no. No, no, no. Things should not be this way - not among God’s people. Women should be focusing their attention on the beauty of the Lord - on beautifying Him with their worship and prayer - and helping others (men AND women) to do the same. Helping others to focus on the Lord. In this context, for the purpose of coming together to pray for leaders and for the lost and for men and women everywhere.
-So Paul mentions this idea of modesty. Relatively moderate. Not excessive or to extremes. He’s not saying don’t look nice - just don’t go to extremes. He’s not saying, don’t care about how you look - just don’t focus on how you look. And make sure you are not trying get anyone else to focus on you either. It is the idea of restraint which holds one back from doing something dishonoring or shameful, which would make one look bad. So ladies, show restraint in how you decorate yourselves (actually there are probably guys who need to hear that as well!). But in other words, going to extremes in trying to make yourself look good to others actually makes you look bad. Does this mean you can’t show off what the Good Lord gave ya? It might depend on your motive for doing so. Probably we should all be more focused on simply showing off the Good Lord...
-The other word Paul uses to describe how women should approach their adornment is “sound mind”. It is the same word he uses to describe how God does not give us a spirit of timidity but one of power and love and a sound mind. It is the understanding mind, one which is reasonable and which can excercise self-control. And so he’s saying, when it comes to how you decorate yourself, be reasonable. Exercise some self-control, again, some restraint. Don’t get so focused on how you look or on getting others to focus on how you look.
-Paul uses the two words here which derive from the word kosmos, which means “world”. What he’s thinking is, don’t let your world be about how you look. Paul says rather than focusing on good looks women should strive to focus on good works. Instead of concerning themselves with how they look, they should be more concerned with what they do. Paul says this is fitting. This fits just right, like that perfect top or pair of jeans, for women who are making a claim to godliness, he says. Women who are claiming to know and follow the King. Make your world about living - not looking - in such a way as to beautify the Lord, to show off how good He truly is. And that’ll fit just right. It’ll look good on ya...!
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