What does the Bible say about woman wearing make up?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible does not give a universal prohibition on women wearing makeup, but it consistently calls God’s people to modesty, purity, humility, and an emphasis on inward godliness rather than outward display. Jeremiah 4:30 and Ezekiel 23:40 use cosmetics in prophetic images of futile or immoral self-presentation, while 2 Kings 9:30 mentions Jezebel’s makeup without making it itself the central sin. Proverbs 7:10-12 warns against dress and conduct that entice toward sexual sin. Peter teaches that a woman’s true beauty is the gentle, godly character of the heart (1 Peter 3:3), and Paul urges modest, respectable dress joined to good works (1 Timothy 2:8-10). Makeup may be used with discretion, but never to cultivate vanity, seduction, or identity apart from Christ.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Jeremiah 4:30

    You, when you are made desolate, what will you do? Though you clothe yourself with scarlet, though you deck you with ornaments of gold, though you enlarge your eyes with paint, in vain do you make yourself beautiful; [your] lovers despise you, they seek your life.

  • 1 Peter 3:3

    Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing;

  • 1 Timothy 2:9

    In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;

  • 1 Timothy 2:8-10

    [8] I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting. [9] In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing; [10] but (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works.

  • Proverbs 7:10-12

    [10] Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, And with crafty intent. [11] She is loud and defiant. Her feet don't stay in her house. [12] Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, And lurking at every corner.

  • Ezekiel 23:40

    Furthermore you have sent for men who come from far, to whom a messenger was sent, and, behold, they came; for whom you did wash yourself, paint your eyes, and deck yourself with ornaments,

  • 2 Kings 9:30

    When Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and attired her head, and looked out at the window.

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