1 Timothy 2:9
What does 1 Timothy 2:9 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 2:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 2:9 means
In contrast to disruptive temper, women are to adorn themselves with modesty and self-control. The aim is not to suppress beauty but to redirect attention from ostentation to godliness. In a culture where braided hair, gold, pearls, and costly clothing could signal status and draw notice, Paul urges a different glory: the quiet beauty of a well-ordered heart. Modesty here is more than dress code; it is a posture that values reverence over display and wisdom over extravagance. Self-mastery resists the pull to impress others, choosing instead to honor God and edify the congregation during worship.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment;
KJV
King James Version · 1611In 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;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And that women may be dressed in simple clothing, with a quiet and serious air; not with twisted hair and gold or jewels or robes of great price;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862in like manner also the women, in becoming apparel, with modesty and sobriety to adorn themselves, not in braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or garments of great price,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In like manner, women also in decent apparel: adorning themselves with modesty and sobriety, not with plaited hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly attire:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890In like manner also that the women in decent deportment and dress adorn themselves with modesty and discretion, not with plaited [hair] and gold, or pearls, or costly clothing,
Context
After instructing men to pray without anger, Paul addresses women’s outward presentation in the assembly. Verses 9–10 form a pair: a negative (not showy finery) and a positive (good works) definition of adornment. This prepares for verses 11–12, which move from appearance to posture in learning and roles in teaching. The flow underscores that the gathered church should display holiness both in character and in the way men and women conduct themselves publicly.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 3:16
Moreover Jehovah said, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet;
- Esther 5:1
Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house.
- Ezekiel 16:9
Then washed I thee with water; yea, I thoroughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.
- Proverbs 31:22
She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
- 1 Peter 3:3
Whoseadorninglet it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel;
- Psalms 149:4
For Jehovah taketh pleasure in his people: He will beautify the meek with salvation.
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