ITim. 2: 8-10 “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.”

Demonstrating a true biblically Christian ethic, devout women cannot hide their consecration to God, not that they would want to, but are called upon to publicly make their Christianity known through, among other things, their outer adornment; what, with their unelaborated long hair (ICor. 11: 3-15), modest and appropriate clothing, and the discarding of jewelry and other feminine enhancements etc., in accordance with biblical directives (ITim. 2: 9-10, IPet. 3: 1-6). A biblically adorned woman is truly “set apart”, distinctly different from a worldly adorned woman. Also, given that the physical features of a women are designed by the creator to “trigger” the pro-creative instinct in her male counterpart, and knowing the Bible mandate concerning intimate activity between the sexes, Christian female modesty becomes extremely useful in preserving holiness in the main. Enhancing a woman’s physical features, as is the world’s manner, is not, and does not contribute to accomplishing the will of God, but is a service to the flesh, the carnal man. However, as alluded to above, the primary purpose for a woman’s modest and holy appearance, behavior, and lifestyle is to bring attention and glory to God.

How is it then that the man, the male, escapes such devotional requirements? True, his physical “triggering” mechanisms towards a female counterpart may be more subdued or of a different nature (?), but why is it only the woman who is burdened with such external restraints towards purity while Christian men, happy to enforce those rules, seemingly have little-to-none of their own to worry about in the adornment category. How is it that godly men can enjoy Christian respect while donning common attire (Jeans or slacks, any button-up or most pullover shirts, and a biblical haircut that is indistinguishable from most any other “uncovered head”) with no restraint necessary? Is this fair?

I believe the answer, as always, lies in the scriptures, namely ITimothy 2: 8-9 (above), with the words “in like manner” being the operative phrase. In some Bible versions, the phrase in this verse, “in like manner” is correctly translated into the word “likewise”; In fewer versions, verses 8 and 9 are errantly reworded to read as two completely separate statements. However, this phrase, “in like manner” or “likewise” in its scriptural setting would seem to indicate that a woman demonstrates her godliness by her modest and restrained adornment following the man’s example, with him praying “every where, lifting up holy hands…”!

Not to be understood as simply a metaphor or to be skimmed over quickly while reading, with the phrase “in like manner” the scripture equates a women’s modest external adornment, which receives heavy emphasis in holiness circles (and rightly so), with men praying EVERYWHERE with their HANDS RAISED in proper motivations, an unrestrained and open expression to God, which receives ZERO emphasis in holiness circles (and wrongly so); why is this? I’ll tell you why it is, cowardly inhibition. The same pulpit that preaches of a woman’s obligation to lift up God in her public appearance, should also remind men of their obligation to do the same following the Bible’s directive addressed specifically to them, i.e. “I will therefore that MEN pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting”, as they are equally emphasized in ITim. 2: 8-9.

I confess to not knowing all (or any, for that matter) of the private considerations that a godly woman may or may not contemplate concerning her public presentation and the type of attention it may or may not invite. Perhaps in the privacy of her internal world there are moments of feeling conspicuous or awkward, as she is required to make an overt and public stand for righteousness in an unrighteous world, but perhaps not, I don’t know. I presume that godly women, devoted to holiness, would eventually grow accustomed in some measure, to the occasional sideways glances, giggling whispers, curious stares, subtle slights, etc., which are hopefully offset by the occasional admiration and affirmation, with the latter being more preferred obviously.

However, as a man, the biblical way to truly experience an open and public stand for righteousness in this manner, setting him apart in what could potentially be an unfriendly environment, would be to bravely don a short close-cropped haircut and cleanly shaven face (LOL! Just kidding, that would be errant “denominal” Pentecostalism!). No, unlike the Americanized “culturally righteous” clean-shaven face silliness, which just happens to characterize 3/4’s of the unbelieving world’s male population, we have an actual scripture which when put into practice, a man like the woman, distinguishes himself, separate from all others, making a statement for God. And who knows what could happen, particularly in this day and age, when a man is obedient to this biblical prompt? Perhaps you’ll meet resistance or perhaps you’ll start a revival, more than likely something in between.

“Hypocrites (Gr. Hupokrites– an actor, stage player) …love to pray… that they may be seen of men…”; this then leading them to demonstrate their phony religiosity while “standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets…” (Matt. 6:5). In Old Jerusalem’s Judeo-religious culture, the Scribes, Pharisees, and other religious sects and personalities could enjoy an esteemed, even celebrity-like status of power and popularity. However, in today’s America, public demonstrations of Christian faith are more likely to come with a price rather than a praise and are gauged (by God) by their motives and not by their grandeur. The hypocrite’s motive is to be seen of men; the obedient Christian man’s motive should be to glorify God …like women do.

You could think that God would not suggest, or even approve of such an overt expression of prayer normally reserved for church services/gatherings, the privacy of home prayer meetings, personal prayer time, etc. Our scripture referenced above (Matthew 6: 5-6) appears to discourage such activity as potentially being hypocritical, indicating rather that one should retreat to their closet for prayer, to then later receive their open reward. However, as the book of Acts demonstrates (Acts 1: 13-14, 4:31, 6:6, 7: 59-60, 12:12, 16:13, etc.) prayer location ethics can be situational, even as we are also commanded to “pray without ceasing” (IThess. 5:17), both in and out of our closets.

What kind of example are men setting for women? If men, in their leadership position, choose to disobey the scripture and refrain from glorifying God in the public sphere with uplifted hands in prayer, could this serve as license for women to also refrain from glorifying God in their biblically prescribed way “in like manner”?