Expert: Joe Norman - 10/11/2008

Question
will you please explain this verse. will I go to hell for wearing pants to church or any other place.

Answer
Hi Dee,

I will do my best to help you understand the verse you asked about as well as elaborate on other things I hope will benefit you as well. First, I believe it is important to keep in mind that we, as Christians, are under a different covenant relationship with God than the one that the nation of Israel was under and so we do not look to the Old Testament for guidance as to how to live a Christian life. We do need the Old Testament and use it, but are under a New Covenant. Consider this passage.

Gal.3:24, 25
24 So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.

The Law of Moses pointed to Christ and we are no longer under that tutor. Yet, we still learn important things from it. We learn more about the nature of God - He is both a loving God and and just, righteous God. The Old Testament also helps us to better understand much of what the New Testament teaches. Now let's look at the passage in Deuteronomy.

Deut.22:5 "A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God. (ESV)

What was a man's garment and a woman's garment when this was written to the Jews, is not nearly the same as what makes a man's or woman's garment today. But one fact is clear. It was shameful for a man to wear women's clothes and for a woman to wear men's clothes. Is it still something that does not please God today? There is not much that speaks of how a man or woman dresses in the New Testament, but there are some. Please read I Corinthians 11:2-18 for a passage that speaks of head-coverings for women. There is nothing that speaks directly of it being wrong for a man to wear women's clothes and visa versa, but there is enough said to make me think it is still not a good thing for one gender to dress like the opposite gender.

1 Tim.2:9, 10
9 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, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works.

1 Pet.3:1-6
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear-- 4 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. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

Men and women have clear roles and each should respect the other in the roles God designed. Having said that, I think it is a personal decision to be made by each woman as to whether or not they should wear pants and even what they consider to be modest apparel. Do I think it is wrong for a woman to wear pants? No I do not think it is wrong or sinful because the pants women wear are designed for women and just by wearing pants, I do not think any woman would be mistaken as a man. Now the other question is whether or not the pants are what would be thought of as modest. Are the pants very tight? Are the pants extremely short shorts? Are they see-through?

Now I also need to point out that one sin is not going to condemn anyone to Hell. We do our best to live our lives to please God and honor Him and as long as we walk in the light, Christ's blood continues to cleanse us.(I John 1:6-10) You do need to be more concerned and careful about how you dress to attend worship services because you do not want to put a stumbling block in the way of a fellow Christian. These are my thoughts on your question and I have also provided you with the majority of New Testament passages that speak on clothing. If you have any follow-up questions or any new questions on anything regarding Christianity and the Word of God, I am more than happy to help you in any way I can.

 May God bless you in your Christian walk.

                In Christ, Joe Norman