How should a pastor's wife dress?

Answer 1

In 1 Corinthians 8 & 10 and Romans 14, the Apostle Paul establishes a flexible yet demanding principle of being polite toward others' consciences with how one behaves which can be applied to many things over which people disagree theologically. The six verses at the end of the answer offer an adequate summary of this principle.

To apply the principle to how someone dresses, the person should not feel guilty about any part of the outfit, whether because it is a source of pride (such as a status symbol) or because it is too revealing, or some other consideration. Neither of these can be codified as an absolute standard; different people will feel guilty about different things. Whatever they are, they are generally to be avoided. This is the situation which the people avoiding meat were in when Paul gave these instructions.

Additionally, if there is anyone whose conscience would be offended by a thing, that thing is also to be avoided. Some of our attire which we consider perfectly modest would be an outrage in colonial times; if we were living in that time period, that type of clothing would be inappropriate. A woman's primary concern would likely be the men's consciences and their tendency to lust. Although of course a man who really wants to lust can do so anyway, there are certain things which can trigger the emotion.

Because a pastor's wife is on something of a pedestal, expected to be the model woman and generally to meet the entire congregation, the ordinary clothing which is most covering is probably advisable (although slacks are no longer a problem in most settings). This might be a controversial conclusion, and certainly it is a heavy responsibility, but Scripture instructs us to not rock the boat except for the sake of the core of Christianity - the Gospel and the Great Commission.

1 Corinthians 10:23-26 (NKJV)All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.

Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; for "the earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness."

If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner,and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience' sake. But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience' sake; for "the earth isthe LORD's, and all its fullness.