Okay, now we are getting somewhere - a Scriptural standard for women's apparel! The wimmin-folk are not allowed to have braided hair or wear gold or pearls - does this apply to women in all places, or only when in church? They are not allowed to wear "costly array" - what is the dollar amount, the "standard" that would distinguish between attire that is costly and that which is of a permissibly modest expenditure?
Does the Greek word "kosmios," for modest, refer to the percentage of flesh that is covered by the clothing, or to the amount of money spent for it? According to Vines, "kosmios" means "Orderly, well-arranged, decent, modest."
"The apostle condemneth not these ornaments where they are suited to the quality of women, and ask not too much time to put on, and in order; but where they are too excessive with respect to the purse of those that wear them, or take up more time to be spent in putting them on than is fit to be so spent, especially on a sabbath day, or where they are put on out of pride, or to make a vain show, or are of that nature and fashion as they speak an unchaste or immodest heart, or may cause scandal to others." - Matthew Poole's commentary.
Paul's concern here may be not so much concerning the need for the ladies to cover up, but rather an exhortation to avoid needless conspicuous consumption and showing off of wealth at times of worship, in congregations that included some folks who were rich, and others who were living below the poverty line and perhaps held in slavery, who could not afford luxurious finery in their wardrobes. I welcome further discussion on the meaning of "modest" in this passage.
