Holiness Part 2: Modesty, Double Standards, and the Real Source of Sanctification

When we talk about holiness in Oneness circles, we inevitably run into the topic of modesty. And let’s be clear—yes, God absolutely cares about modesty. But that’s not really the question, is it?

The real question is this:

What does the Bible actually say about modesty—and are we understanding it correctly?

Let’s start with two of the most commonly quoted passages:

1 Timothy 2:8-10

“I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.”

1 Peter 3:2-4

“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”

Here’s the key:

Are these meant to be hard-and-fast rules, or are they principles guiding godly living?

If someone insists these are clear-cut prohibitions—“it says what it says!”—then I have one simple question:

Why does the UPCI license women preachers and endorse women pastors?

It may sound unrelated at first—but stay with me. Let’s look at 1 Timothy 2:12-15, just two verses later:

“I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet…”

If 1 Timothy 2:9 is treated as a binding dress code, why is verse 12 suddenly negotiable?

This is the double standard. Either these verses are all rigid rules to be obeyed to the letter, or they are part of a broader appeal to character, order, and godly conduct. You can’t claim one as a universal command and dismiss the other.

Context Is Everything

Let’s go deeper into 1 Peter 3.

To understand verses 3-4, we need to back up to chapter 2. Beginning in verse 13, Peter is giving instructions about submission to authority:

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution…”

“Servants, be subject to your masters…”

The flow continues directly into chapter 3:

“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands…”

Peter is still talking about submission, not style. The “adornment” in question is not primarily about clothing—it’s about character. Peter says wives can win over unbelieving husbands not by words but by their conduct.

“Do not let your adorning be external… but let it be the hidden person of the heart…”

And then Peter brings in Sarah—not because of how she dressed—but because she submitted to Abraham. That’s the example he holds up. The “adorning” of holy women wasn’t in their fabric—it was in their faithful posture toward God and their families.

So what about Paul in 1 Timothy?

Again, look at the context:

“I urge that supplications, prayers… be made for all people… that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (vv. 1–2)

This whole chapter is about public conduct—for both men and women. Paul isn’t banning braids and earrings; he’s calling women (and men!) to live differently than the surrounding culture. Men should lead with peace, not pride. Women should let godliness—not glamor—speak.

The principle is the same:

Don’t build your identity on what you wear. Let your character reveal Christ.

The Deeper Issue: Holiness, Standards, and Sanctification

In Oneness Pentecostal circles, modesty and outward dress are taught as “holiness standards.” These aren’t presented as salvation issues at first—but over time, noncompliance is often equated with rebellion, which is labeled a sin.

Teachers like Raymond Woodward and Ruth Harvey have made this point clear: if you reject the standards as they’ve been taught, you’re not just disagreeing—you’re in rebellion.

But that reveals the real issue underneath all of this:

What is sanctification?

And how do we grow in holiness?

Most will agree that justification—being declared righteous before God—is by grace alone. We don’t earn it.

But when it comes to sanctification, it suddenly becomes our responsibility.

You’re told:

“Sure, God saved you—but now you’d better stay saved by living up to the standard.”

But that’s not how the New Testament describes sanctification.

Look at Hebrews 10:9–14:

“By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”

This is what theologians call positional sanctification. It means that you have been set apart—made holy—not by what you do, but by what Christ has done. That’s the foundation.

Does that mean we don’t grow? Of course not.

We are also being sanctified in our daily lives (progressive sanctification), but this growth flows from our union with Christ—not our compliance with a manmade checklist.

Fruit comes from being rooted in Christ—not from policing your sleeves, skirt lengths, or hairdos.

Final Thoughts

Modesty matters. Holiness matters. But neither are about measuring tape or makeup bans.

They’re about letting Christ form our identity, our character, and our conduct.

They’re about living in such a way that our hearts—not just our hemlines—reflect the beauty of God.

So let’s stop pretending the apostles were writing dress codes.

They were calling us to freedom, not fashion rules.

To inner beauty, not outward policing.

To Christ, not cosmetics.

The idea that we need holiness standards in order to be holy completely misses the heart of the gospel.

The holiness we have is not our own.

It was given to us—not earned, not achieved, not measured by skirts, sleeves, or hairstyles.

It is Christ’s holiness, graciously exchanged for our sinfulness at the cross.

We cannot make ourselves holy. And Jesus could not sin.

So what did He do?

He took our sin—and in return, He gave us His righteousness.

Philippians 3:9

“…and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God that depends on faith.”

2 Corinthians 5:21

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

That’s the foundation of holiness.

Not performance. Not appearance.

Christ alone.