The usual Scripture passages appeared in the debate. For example, those cautioning against immodesty cited 1 Timothy 2:9-10, where Paul writes:
I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
Those pushing back against the modesty warnings said that Paul’s point here is not about women revealing too much skin, but about women flaunting their wealth.
When Paul talked about “modesty” he was talking about ostentatious displays of wealth.
Also: Sleeveless dresses aren’t immodest in this culture OR that one, and Scripture doesn’t provide any culturally-transcendent guidelines regarding sleeves that would contradict that. pic.twitter.com/zZODR52sib
— Josiah Hawthorne (@JosiahHawthorne) April 17, 2023
Others sounding the alarm about immodesty alluded to Romans 14:13, where Paul writes, “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” However, there is reason not to read this passage as applying to modesty, as ministry leader Mike Winger explained recently.
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the entire conversation is how regularly it resurfaces, indicating that the topic of modesty touches a nerve in people across the board. “Considering making a liturgical calendar for Twitter so we won’t be caught off guard,” one person joked.
