Dress Code

[Ascetic X]

The verses about not giving preference to the rich man in church has nothing to do with how to dress in church.

These verses are not saying “everybody come to church in shabby clothing”.

When you go on a first date, you will probably wear what is appropriate for the date activity, but you will wear nice clothes, because you want to present yourself in a good light.

What you wear to church reflects your attitude to what church is.

We should not judge people by how they dress or by how expensive their attire is.

But dressing sloppy is not respectful to God. It signals “church is nothing special to me”.

If people can wear anything to church, how about cleanliness? Is it okay if people come to church unbathed and stinking?

What’s in their heart is far more important than what they wear, but why not wear nice clothes to church?

James 2

2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

 

[Foxmeister]

The verses about not giving preference to the rich man in church has nothing to do with how to dress in church.

These verses are not saying “everybody come to church in shabby clothing”.

When you go on a first date, you will probably wear what is appropriate for the date activity, but you will wear nice clothes, because you want to present yourself in a good light.

What you wear to church reflects your attitude to what church is.

We should not judge people by how they dress or by how expensive their attire is.

But dressing sloppy is not respectful to God. It signals “church is nothing special to me”.

If people can wear anything to church, how about cleanliness? Is it okay if people come to church unbathed and stinking?

What’s in their heart is far more important than what they wear, but why not wear nice clothes to church?

James 2

2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

You're trying to inject a cultural view into scripture. Here's what James said.

2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not [d]shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

James is referring to showing favoritism, which is what you're trying to do by setting a standard of how people should be dressed at church. You're coming across as those not dressed in standard you believe in are being disrespectful to God. There are people in this country, in this world who cannot afford nice clothes. Going to church dressed in a manner below your standards is not showing disrespect to God.

Answer this question for me; what's most important to God? How people are dressed or people coming to church to worship Him while learning more about His Word?

The scripture you selected doesn't say people have to come to church dressed to a certain standard.

 

[Ascetic X]

You're trying to inject a cultural view into scripture. Here's what James said.

2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not [d]shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

James is referring to showing favoritism, which is what you're trying to do by setting a standard of how people should be dressed at church. You're coming across as those not dressed in standard you believe in are being disrespectful to God. There are people in this country, in this world who cannot afford nice clothes. Going to church dressed in a manner below your standards is not showing disrespect to God.

Answer this question for me; what's most important to God? How people are dressed or people coming to church to worship Him while learning more about His Word?

The scripture you selected doesn't say people have to come to church dressed to a certain standard.

I never said we should show favoritism toward those dressed in expensive clothes.

What I see is middle and upper middle class people dressing sloppy at church. They drive nice cars and live in nice homes and they can afford nice clothing and they likely own nice clothing, but they do not feel church is special enough to be worthy of dressing nice.

“Sunday best” is what people used to wear to church. They did this because they thought church was a special place, with a sacred purpose, and not just any venue.

What you wear shows your attitude to where you are.

All the garments worn by the Old Testament priests were symbolic of being set apart for God’s work of atoning for sin. Compliance with the “dress code” was required. This is noted in Exodus 28:43: “Aaron and his sons must wear [the priestly garments] whenever they enter the tent of meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die.”

We do not wear priestly garments, but the principle is to wear clothing that is appropriate for the place and occasion.

On Sunday mornings, when you see people walking around in casual clothing, you can bet they are likely not headed for church. But when you see people dressed nicely, you know it is more likely that they may be going to church.

Church has become casual in regard to dress, but also in regard to doctrine and acceptable Christian behavior, to the extent that often Christians do not act any differently than unsaved people.

 

[JonC]

Mostly its about dressing modestly....

Modesty is dressing humbly. This is why Scripture mentions members not wearing jewelery. The word came to mean "conforming to the standards of decency".

In the Bible it means "not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments".

The reason that we do not wear suits and ties to church is it is not modest attire. One does not wear a suit and tie to dress humbly.

BUT this is generational and cultural. To others wearing a coat and tie is normal attire (they wear this on a daily basis) and a three piece suit would be immodest.

But we grew up dressing up for church, which is immodest by definition.

 

[Foxmeister]

They drive nice cars and live in nice homes and they can afford nice clothing and they likely own nice clothing, but they do not feel church is special enough to be worthy of dressing nice.

So what you're saying is people should dress according to their wealth. That's absurd. What matters most is the reason they are there.

They did this because they thought church was a special place, with a sacred purpose, and not just any venue.

The reason to go to church is to worship God and learn more about His Word so that you can participate in the Great Commission.

What you wear shows your attitude to where you are.

What you do reflects who you are. There are people who go to church dressed very nicely, but they're only there to "check" that box that says they go to church.

All the garments worn by the Old Testament priests were symbolic of being set apart for God’s work of atoning for sin. Compliance with the “dress code” was required. This is noted in Exodus 28:43: “Aaron and his sons must wear [the priestly garments] whenever they enter the tent of meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die.”

You left out verse 42. "And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs." It's like women wearing dresses should wear underwear to hide their nakedness in church.

On Sunday mornings, when you see people walking around in casual clothing, you can bet they are likely not headed for church. But when you see people dressed nicely, you know it is more likely that they may be going to church.

You're making assumptions based upon how people are dressed whether or not they are headed to church. What's important is who is attendance in the church and why they are there. Whether they're dressed in jeans or a suit makes no difference to God.

But we grew up dressing up for church, which is immodest by definition.

Again I ask, what's most important to God? How people are dressed or people coming to church to worship Him while learning more about His Word?

 

[Ascetic X]

So what you're saying is people should dress according to their wealth. That's absurd. What matters most is the reason they are there.

You are falsely attributing words to me I never said.

People should dress according to their attitude toward where they are.

Is church nothing special?

Is church not set apart from worldly venues? Is going to church no different from going to a picnic or a rock concert?

If clothes do not matter, is it okay to wear dirty, stained, wrinkled, stinky, ripped up garments to church? How about attending church bare chested and barefoot?

People tend to wear nicer clothes when they go out dancing. Formal attire is worn to prestigious balls.

Everyone has some standards about what clothes to wear. But those standards have been lowered when it comes to church attendance. Standards have also been lowered regarding Christian doctrines, morality, and behavior.

 

[JonC]

Again I ask, what's most important to God? How people are dressed or people coming to church to worship Him while learning more about His Word?

I do not believe we can decide what is most important to God, or even divorce His command not to "dress up" in the congregation from our spiritual worship. The former seems to go along with the latter.

The reason I say this is that God commands both our worship in spirit and truth AND to dress humbly.

So I am not comfortable deciding which command is most important in God's mind.

But I can offer my understanding. If we worship in spirit and truth then this is reflected outwardly. This may be dressing modestly/ humbly as opposed to "dressing up" as a natural expression of our spiritual relationship. It could be love for the congregation. Or it could be simple obedience.


I cannot say that God does not care if we dress immodestly, if we "dress up", wear jewelry, fancy hair, etc. because He told is not to to so. But at the same time it is not something that would make me look down on a brother. I think as we mature spiritually we shift more and more away from carnal and towards the Spirit - from glory to glory.

 

[JonC]

The verses about not giving preference to the rich man in church has nothing to do with how to dress in church.

These verses are not saying “everybody come to church in shabby clothing”.

When you go on a first date, you will probably wear what is appropriate for the date activity, but you will wear nice clothes, because you want to present yourself in a good light.

What you wear to church reflects your attitude to what church is.

We should not judge people by how they dress or by how expensive their attire is.

But dressing sloppy is not respectful to God. It signals “church is nothing special to me”.

If people can wear anything to church, how about cleanliness? Is it okay if people come to church unbathed and stinking?

What’s in their heart is far more important than what they wear, but why not wear nice clothes to church?

James 2

2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

I think the key principle is in a different passage. We dress appropriately, modestly (humble) and discreetly.

We do not "dress up" to go to church but we also do not dress in such a way to cause temptation to others.

A woman would not wear short shorts, for example. But she also would not be wearing a fancy dress, elaborate hair style, or flashy jewlery.


While me wearing short shorts would not tempt anybody, it would be inappropriate (it would definitely be a distraction).

I prefer a collard button down shirt and jeans or khakis. The reason is simple. I hate things around my neck and keep the top or top two buttons unbuttoned. This is also not "dressing up" (it is not immodest). I am not "making a statement" with my clothes.

Some wear a tie, which is fine. It is not "dressing up". They like ties. But they dress modest (humbly).

 

[Ascetic X]

I think the key principle is in a different passage. We dress appropriately, modestly (humble) and discreetly.

We do not "dress up" to go to church but we also do not dress in such a way to cause temptation to others.

A woman would not wear short shorts, for example. But she also would not be wearing a fancy dress, elaborate hair style, or flashy jewlery.


While me wearing short shorts would not tempt anybody, it would be inappropriate (it would definitely be a distraction).

I prefer a collard button down shirt and jeans or khakis. The reason is simple. I hate things around my neck and keep the top or top two buttons unbuttoned. This is also not "dressing up" (it is not immodest). I am not "making a statement" with my clothes.

Some wear a tie, which is fine. It is not "dressing up". They like ties. But they dress modest (humbly).

There is a difference between dressing up nicely and dressing ostentatiously, extravagantly, pompously.

Nice, church appropriate clothing need not be super expensive Prada outfits.

In the business world, there was a saying “dress sharp to think sharp”. If you dress sloppy, you think sloppy.

We should not dress up to impress others with our wealth or superior sense of style.

But if an angel entered my home and told me that he was going to take me somewhere to meet God, I would put on a sport coat, dress shirt and tie, nice slacks, dress shoes, not a tee shirt and sweat pants.

Earlier in history, work clothes were soiled, dirty, ragged. So people dressed up on Sunday to go to church as an outward display, not of wealth, but of reverence for the day and place of worship.

Today, many churches have lowered their standards so much, the sanctuary doesn’t even have a cross or any Christian symbols, it looks like any worldly auditorium.

Dressing super casual, sloppy, or sexually immodestly seems to be part of this trend to the church becoming more secular and less sacred or special.

1 Timothy 2:9

In like manner also, that women should adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sober mindedness, not with braided hair [elaborate coiffure or fancy hairstyles] or gold or pearls or costly array.

 

[Foxmeister]

I do not believe we can decide what is most important to God, or even divorce His command not to "dress up" in the congregation from our spiritual worship. The former seems to go along with the latter.

The reason I say this is that God commands both our worship in spirit and truth AND to dress humbly.

So I am not comfortable deciding which command is most important in God's mind.

But I can offer my understanding. If we worship in spirit and truth then this is reflected outwardly. This may be dressing modestly/ humbly as opposed to "dressing up" as a natural expression of our spiritual relationship. It could be love for the congregation. Or it could be simple obedience.


I cannot say that God does not care if we dress immodestly, if we "dress up", wear jewelry, fancy hair, etc. because He told is not to to so. But at the same time it is not something that would make me look down on a brother. I think as we mature spiritually we shift more and more away from carnal and towards the Spirit - from glory to glory.

I believe it's safe to say that God is most concerned about the salvation of those he created rather than if they're wearing blue jeans or suits to church. After all, the reason Jesus put himself on the cross was for our chance at salvation, not conforming to a dress code.

I have no problem with men coming to church wearing suits or jeans. I have no problem with women coming to church wearing dresses or pants. What matters most is they came to worship.

In the business world, there was a saying “dress sharp to think sharp”. If you dress sloppy, you think sloppy.

That was a standard established by man for the business world. That leads me to another question. If I wear jeans to church this Sunday and then a suit next Sunday, does either of them effect my relationship with God? I could careless if anyone looks down on me if I wear jeans to church. I'm not there to impress people. I'm there to worship God and to grow in my relationship with Him.

 

[JohnDB]

What are you guys gonna wear to the best store?

 

[Ascetic X]

I does either of them effect my relationship with God? I could careless if anyone looks down on me if I wear jeans to church. I'm not there to impress people. I'm there to worship God and to grow in my relationship with Him.

No one should look down on someone because of their clothes.

What we wear to church does not effect our relationship with God, but it reflects our attitude about church.

Is church a casual, common, shabby place where nothing important happens?

Or is it a place where sacred acts occur and that requires reverence and respect?

If church is a special holy place, maybe we should dress a little nicer than we do when going to a rock concert.

 

[JonC]

If church is a special holy place, maybe we should dress a little nicer than we do when going to a rock concert.

The church is not a special holy place. The church is a special holy people.

What do you make of God's instruction that we are to dress in a humble manner, prohibiting women from jewlery, etc?

 

[Ascetic X]

The church is not a special holy place. The church is a special holy people.

What do you make of God's instruction that we are to dress in a humble manner, prohibiting women from jewlery, etc?

The church building is where sacred acts occur. Communion, baptism, worship, Bible studies, preaching the Word, prayer, etc. So the church building is set apart from bars, stores, restaurants, gambling casinos, public schools, movie theaters.

I have already stated that there is a difference between dressing nicely and dressing extravagantly, ostentatiously, pompously.

Dressing modestly, in a humble manner does not mean look like a bum.

Dressing modestly and humbly means not in a flashy, showy, glitzy, glamorous manner.

Dressing nicely does not mean expensive clothing.

The bottom line is that the way you dress reflects your attitude about where you are and what you are doing there.

If you think a church is a casual place, and not special in any way, your clothing will reflect that attitude.



I do not think I have ever seen any woman in church who did not wear any jewelry.

In first-century Greco-Roman culture, wealthy women would weave gold coins, expensive pearls, and elaborate gems into towering braided hairstyles to flaunt their status, intimidate others, and cause economic divisions.


1 Peter 3:3-5

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

 

[Salty]

I find it interesting that people get all dressed up for a wedding.

Also, you go to see your doctor or lawyer - and they were dressed like many people "dress" for church.
Would that bother you at all?

For myself, when I preach - I find I am more effective when I wear my suit at tie.
Same thing when I do my bio job of sales!

What I thought was interesting - when I was an assistant pastor (about 10 years ago.) The Senior pastor - who normally wore an open collar shirt stated that "If my assistant pastor wears a tie, then I suppose I should also!"


(I heard a rumor that pastors who wear a tie - get to go to the head of the line at the Glory gates!)

 

[JonC]

The church building is where sacred acts occur.

1. As Christians the building where we worship is inconsequential (I know Catholics disagree as their priests bless the place to make it holy).

You reference the Bible. But in the Bible the place where the church gathered was never considered holy. In fact, church buildings came about long after the apostolic church.

What is holy/ sacred is the church (the congregation) herself. God's kingdom is not of this World.

2. Sacred acts should occur, for the believer, throughout their daily life. Christians worship together, study the Bible, sing praises, and baptise outside of a single building dedicated to be a "church". The idea of baptizing inside a building is relatively very new.


You partially answered my question. God commands us to dress modestly (humble).
Wearing a coat and tie can be humble (depending on the coat and tie, I guess). But that depends on the cultural norm.

If wearing a coat and tie is viewed as elevating above the norm by a culture then it is not the cultural norm (it is immodest).

A lot of this is generational. I understand men over 60 wearing a coat and tie without it being immodist. And I get for most of the unger generation mimicking past norms appears immodest and arrogant.

This is why I say it is sinful to consider a brother wearing a coat and tie inappropriately dressed BUT it is equally sinful to consider a brother wearing jeans and a t-shirt inappropriately dressed. Both are equally wrong.

 

[JonC]

I find it interesting that people get all dressed up for a wedding.

Also, you go to see your doctor or lawyer - and they were dressed like many people "dress" for church.
Would that bother you at all?

For myself, when I preach - I find I am more effective when I wear my suit at tie.
Same thing when I do my bio job of sales!

What I thought was interesting - when I was an assistant pastor (about 10 years ago.) The Senior pastor - who normally wore an open collar shirt stated that "If my assistant pastor wears a tie, then I suppose I should also!"


(I heard a rumor that pastors who wear a tie - get to go to the head of the line at the Glory gates!)

Most doctors (and CEO's) no longer wear a coat and tie. I never understood why some look to secular success (what do doctors, lawyers, CEO's, etc wear? That is ehat we should wear).

When we go to a wedding we dress for the occasion which is prescribed by the bride. I have been to some where you wear blue jeans and a collard shirt. And some where you wear a jacket and tie. It is celebrating the union of a man and woman in matrimony.

When you go fishing you do not wear a coat and tie. When you go to an interview you typically dress one level above the work attire.

But when we come before God we do not do so carnally. We worship God in spirit and truth. We do not demand or even expect others to adopt our secular traditions.

And (as you noted with lawyers, doctors, weddings) we are talking about secular traditions that are generational.

When I was young men would not attend church wearing a coat and tie because it was too casual. They wore suits (at night some wore a coat and tie). The pastor never wore a coat and tie. He wore a suit.

I never understood older generations insisting their secular traditions should be adopted by younger generations when they did not hold the traditions of their grandparents.

 

[JonC]

I believe it's safe to say that God is most concerned about the salvation of those he created rather than if they're wearing blue jeans or suits to church. After all, the reason Jesus put himself on the cross was for our chance at salvation, not conforming to a dress code.

I have no problem with men coming to church wearing suits or jeans. I have no problem with women coming to church wearing dresses or pants. What matters most is they came to worship.


That was a standard established by man for the business world. That leads me to another question. If I wear jeans to church this Sunday and then a suit next Sunday, does either of them effect my relationship with God? I could careless if anyone looks down on me if I wear jeans to church. I'm not there to impress people. I'm there to worship God and to grow in my relationship with Him.

I agree.

This younger generation of Christians are much more focused on their walk with God than the generations before in my life time. I think that is why we see do much growth.

One thing that is different with them, culturally, is they value authenticity. They are not concerned with "dressing up", appealing to the World, or superficial relationships. They are also less concerned with theological differences within sound biblical doctrine.

I believe this is why we have seen God using and growing our younger generation.