Jewelry and Makeup

 Jewelry and Make-up

Proverbs 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Jewels and jewelry are mentioned in the Bible more than some people may realize. Before considering the verses of scripture that people think teach against women wearing jewelry, let us look at those that speak of jewelry in a positive way. We know the Bible never contradicts itself, so let's see what we find.

The verse above compares an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold to someone who is a wise reprover and also to an obedient ear. A reprover can be one who chastens, rebukes or even judges etc. An obedient ear would be the one who hears and obeys.

So it is apparent that the jewelry mentioned in this verse is not being considered as a bad thing, rather something that is, in fact, very good.

Jeremiah 2:32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

When the question is asked here as to whether or not a maid can forget her ornaments or a bride her attire, it suggests that a maid's ornaments and a brides attire are very normal and expected things, not something that reflects sin or unholy behavior in any way. A 'maid' here, according to the Greek, is bthuwlah, (beth-oo-law') - a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state:--maid, virgin.

So it suggest that an unmarried woman or one who has not yet had a marriage consumated, would not likely be without her ornaments. Ornaments, in this case, are not necessarily necklaces and earrings but could include them, since the word here is, in the Greek - `adiy, (ad-ee') - from '`adah' (5710) in the sense of trappings; finery; generally an outfit; specifically, a headstall:--X excellent, mouth, ornament.

Since a bride's attire is mentioned here, let us look at what the Bible indicates that might have been like in Bible times.

Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

When John saw the New Jerusalem it was as a bride adorned for her husband. Would John have been saying that the New Jerusalem looked to be adorned in a sinful way in which a woman should never adorn herself on her wedding day? Why do I ask this? Because when we see the description John gives of the New Jerusalem it is very informative.

Revelation 21:10 + 18-21And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass

So the New Jerusalem, which was adorned as a bride might be for her husband, contained many jewels. The foundations were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The gates were twelve pearls and the streets were of such pure gold that they looked like transparent glass.

While Christians may read these scriptures and become excited at the thought that a place of such splendor will one day be their new home, how often do they notice that this description is compared to a bride who is adorned for her husband In other words, it could be expected for a bride to adorn herself with jewels and this was not sinful. If it were, the writer might have said, 'as a bride who is adorned sinfully for her husband.' Which would be to say that John saw the city of God adorned like a sinful person.

See how God spoke to Jerusalem in the book of Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 16;8 Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

9 Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.

10 I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.

11 I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.

12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.

13 Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

14 And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.

Before anyone protests and says that this is only symbolic, let me ask a question. Would God use something sinful as a way of symbolizing what He did out of His love for His people? I think not! If God considered it sinful for a woman to wear jewelry, these scriptures would not make sense.

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

He hath clothed me, how? With garments of salvation. He hath covered me, how? With a robe of righteousness. And how did He deck himself? As a bride adorns herself with jewels! Again we see that it was expected of a bride to deck herself in jewels. It was expected and not sinful!

Let us look further.

Isaiah 49:18 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.

You shall surely clothe yourself how? As with an ornament - and - bind them on thee as a bride does. Here it is again. Women wearing ornaments and this fact being used an example of something good that is to happen.

When Abraham's servant went to get a wife for Isaac, he took jewelry with him to give to the woman who would become Isaac's wife. Remember that Abraham was a man of faith.

Genesis 24:22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;

29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.

30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.

1 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels

Here we are told some specifics concerning the jewelry that was brought from Abraham's house, by his servant and given to the young woman who he wanted to take to Isaac to be his wife. Notice though, that Rebekah was not yet engaged or married to Isaac when these gifts were given. What did the servant give her? An earring made of half a shekel of gold and two bracelets made of ten shekels of gold.

This was before the Law of Moses was given and shows that jewelry was not considered sinful at that time. The scriptures about the New Jerusalem speak of the future. And show that in the future jewelry is not considered sinful.

When God sent Moses to rescue the children of Israel, look at what He had them to do.

God said - Exodus 3:22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

So, not only did God say for the children of Israel to borrow jewels of silver and gold from the Egyptians, but He also told them to put them on their sons and daughters.

In the New Testament story of the prodigal son, the father put a ring on his son's hand when he returned home to his father.

Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

So then, if jewelry was accepted and even expected in Abraham's day. If it accepted and even a blessing in the future when we receive our new eternal home, why would it be unacceptable and even sinful for a woman to wear jewelry now?

I suggest that it is not and that the mind of God has not changed on the issue. But if that is so, what do we do with the two portions of scripture in the New Testament that many believe teach it to be sin? Let's look and see.

1 Peter 3:1 1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands ....

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

That outward (Greek) - exothen, (ex'-o-then) - ... external(-ly):--out(-side, -ward, - wardly), (from) without.

Let her adornment be things that are not corruptible. The decoration that she can put on is a meek and quiet spirit.

I think most readers see the words 'outward adorning' but overlook the word 'that.' The writer is not saying there is to be no outward adorning such as he goes on to describe, but do not let her adorning be 'that.' Now before you think I am picking things out to create my own meaning, pay attention to all that is said in these verses. It also says in verse 3 not to let her adorning be the putting on of apparel (clothes)

The writer is speaking to wives here and not just women in general. He addresses her subjection to her 'own' husband, and not to men in general. And he addresses how she should adorn herself.

Now, let us be honest. If the writer is telling women not to plait their hair - at all - at any time - and never to wear gold, or jewelry (if that is how you interpret it) at all - at any time - then he is also telling them not to put on apparel, which is clothes - at all - at any time. While some will pick out the part about hair and gold, I have never heard anyone say that women are to go naked. Yet, if the writer is teaching abstinence from the things listed here, then he definitely included 'the putting on of apparel.

Since we know better than to think wives cannot wear clothes, we are forced to take a closer look at what the writer's meaning is. Look at the definitions of 'adorning and 'apparel.'

Adorning in the Greek is - kosmos, (kos'-mos) - ... 2865; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)):--adorning, world.

Apparel in the Greek is himation, ( him-at'-ee-on) - ... (to put on); a dress (inner or outer):--apparel, cloke, clothes, garment, raiment, robe, vesture.

Notice that one of the meanings of the word 'adorning' is decoration, I believe the writer is telling women not to let their beauty be that which is superficial as in the things we wear and decorate ourselves with, physically, but let our true beauty, the beauty our husbands see above all else, be our inward beauty. Women are allowed to wear gold, plait or braid their hair and wear clothes, but do not let 'that' be her true adornment. Let her true adornment be that which is inside her and shows forth on the outside in her everyday life - such - as "a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."

God puts greater value on the inward man than on the outer trappings.

A physically beautiful woman can become very unattractive if evil flows from her inner being. And a woman with less physical beauty can become more beautiful if her inner beauty shines out.

The next portion of scripture used to teach against jewelry is in 1 Timothy. What is less often, if ever, spoken of, is that the writer was addressing the issue of prayer.

1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

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;

10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

If this scripture is to be taken in context, we must acknowledge that the writer is speaking first of prayer. He wants men - (meaning 'male' here and not mankind) - to 'pray' everywhere, lifting hands that are 'holy.' He wants them to do this without wrath or doubting.

When they pray this is how it should be. The hands they lift should be holy and they should do their praying without wrath and without doubting.

He goes on to say - "in like manner." Do not suddenly forget that he was speaking of 'praying.' If you lose sight of the subject or the writer's point, you may be able to come up with all sorts of ideas and man-made doctrines.

But the writer says "In like manner ...." In the Greek this is - hosautos, (ho-sow'-toce) - ... as thus, i.e. in the same way:--even so, likewise, after the same (in like) manner.

In the same way that men are to pray everywhere, lifting holy hands, without wrath and doubting, let the women pray adorned in a way that becomes women who profess godliness.

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;

10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

She should come to public prayer adorned in modest apparel, shamefacedness, sobriety and good works.

Again be honest. Can a woman actually wear shamefacedness, sobriety and good works?

Why do I say this is speaking of public prayer? Because if she were alone in her room, where no one could see, then what she was or was not wearing would not give a message to anyone. It would not be important for her to be 'modest,' as is spoken of here or in a way that denotes 'shamefacedness.'

Shamefacedness, here is (Greek) - aidos, (ahee-doce') - ... (through the idea of downcast eyes); bashfulness, i.e. (towards men), modesty or (towards God) awe:--reverence, shamefacedness.

Sobriety (Greek) - sophrosune, (so-fros-oo'-nay) - ... soundness of mind, i.e. (literally) sanity or (figuratively) self-control:--soberness, sobriety.

Godliness here is (Greek) - theosebeia, (theh-os-eb'-i-ah) - ... devoutness, i.e. piety:--godliness.

When women pray publicly, they are not to be trying to draw attention to themselves by their outward appearance. The focus of prayer is to be God.

Understand that God does not teach that women must be bashful around men at all times and in all ways. As a matter of fact, when the apostle Paul was speaking to the church about what their behavior should be when they were congregated together, he explained that when a person is prophesying he is speaking to men (meaning humankind here, which could be both male and female, as it was in the congregation). When a person is prophesying he is speaking to others for the purpose of edification, exhortation, and comfort. ANd women were, indeed, used of God to prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

And in Acts we are told that God was going to pour out His Spirit on both sons and daughters and both would prophesy.

Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

If then, prophecy is for the church and is spoken openly for the purpose of edification, exhortation, and comfort, we can see that women were not required to be too bashful or subdued to be used of God in this way.

Now, exhortation in the Greek is - paraklesis, (par-ak'-lay-sis) - imploration, hortation, solace:--comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty.

So then, from the mouths of women, God would speak words that intreated, implored, built up (edification) and comforted others and this took place in the church. We know this because Paul said that after a prophecy was given others were to judge. The prophecy could not be judged by others if no one else was there.

1 Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge

So then, the bashfulness toward men, was not so much as if to hide away, but in the sense of modesty. When it came to prayer, women were not to be flaunting themselves before men or drawing their attention to them in an ungodly manner. They were to be representative of godly women when they prayed publicly and the focus was to be God.

What was to be seen was modesty. They were not to be decked out in a way that would distract their brothers from prayer to the women's ungodly appearance. They were to show sobriety which is self-control, godliness (or piety) and good works.

Read scriptures in context. I Timothy 2:8-10 has to do with the issue of prayer in the presence of others, or perhaps in unity with others, so that the prayers will be answered.

Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

So, men are told what their attitudes should be when they pray and in actuality so are the women. Though specifics are named, the purpose is the same. When two or three of us are gathered in the name of Jesus, we should come in the unity of the faith and purpose. We should not come for self-glory but to glorify the Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We need to be of one mind and one accord, having compassion for one another, loving each other and courteous to one another, that our prayers may go up before the Lord in unity and be answered.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

Let neither man or woman do anything that would cause their brother to stumble. Paul, speaking of eating meat offered to idols spoke of the importance of caring about our brother's needs. He said -

1Corinthians 8: 11-12 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

Let not a man wound his brother's and sister's consciences through his wrath or discourage him by doubting (lacking faith). Let not the women wound their brother's consciences through seductive dress, rudeness or lack of self-control. When we come together for prayer, let it be for the right reasons.

Now as to make-up in the Bible, I know of no scriptures actually addressing the issue. Some might say that for a woman to wear make-up it would have to be a sin, because Jezebel, who was a wicked woman, wore it. They may even say that she did so to be seductive.

But the truth of the matter is, that the Bible does not state why Jezebel painted her face. It does not say that she did it in a manner so as to seduce men, or that she painted her face to look like a witch or in some evil looking way. Read what it says.

2 Kings 9:30 And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.

How did she paint her face? It does not say. For all we know, this could have just been her morning routine.

Was it seductive? It does not say.

Was it demonic? It does not say.

What did she make her face look like? It does not say.

What does the Bible say Jezebel did that was wrong? Does it say it was the wearing of make-up?

2 Kings 9:7 And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.

2 Kings 9 22 And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?

What evil did Jezabel do?

1 She shed the blood of the servants of the Lord.

2 She committed whoredoms

3 She committed witchcraft

Never does it say she was punished for painting her face. That the painting of her face was connected to her evil deeds is only assumed. It may have been, but we do not know. She may have painted her face in a seductive way, or to give the look of evil or something frightening. While either is possible, the Bible does not actually state that there was anything evil in the way she painted her face It could have said that she arose, dressed herself, had breakfast, then went to the window, and we would not have connected any of those actions to the evil she was punished for.

I know of no scriptures either forbidding make-up or shaming women for wearing it.

Someone might attempt to use Jeremiah 4:30, where God was speaking to Israel to say make-up is wrong because He said -

Jeremiah 4:30 And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.

Again there is no suggestion that making themselves fair was in and of itself evil or sinful. Their reason for doing it, however, was sinful. The point being made is that making themselves fair by all these means, would not change the fact that their lovers were going to despise them and seek to kill them.

The chapter just before this tells of the condition of Israel at this time.

Jeremiah 3:25 We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.

They had sinned against the Lord and disobeyed Him from their youth. They laid down in shame and were covered with confusion. All the fancy clothing and face paint in the world was not going to keep their lovers from despising them. Notice we are also told that they clothed themselves with crimson.

The virtuous woman, spoken of in Proverbs 31, wore silk and purple, which is the color of royalty, and she clothed her entire household in scarlet. Yet the Bible says her value is more than that of rubies,

Proverbs 31:21- 22 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

So the fact that in Jeremiah, God speaks of Israel, wearing crimson and painting their faces does not mean that the use of either is wrong when not used for evil. They did it to look fair for lovers. It was their purpose that was evil.

However, The virtuous woman could wear purple and her household could wear scarlet and she was highly praised. Had she worn a little make-up, I do not believe this would have been referred to as evil, for never once does the Bible say that it is bad or forbid it.

Satan loves to take things that are good and use them for sinful, perverted purposes. God gave us children, but Satan would have some of them sacrificed to idols. We do not give him our children but dedicate them to God.

We wear clothes and can enjoy wearing nice clothes that are beautiful. But Satan will see to it that clothes are worn in seductive manners to seduce men and women into sinful affairs. All clothes are not sinful. It is up to us what we do with them.

God made jewels and refers to the wearing of them in a good way. Make-up is not something He says to do nor forbids to do. But if we use it, how we use it is what matters. Face paint can be used to make a face look demonic. But make-up itself is not the problem. It is up to us what we do with it.