Leo Martínez
The Bible has long been interpreted as having certain views on body painting and makeup. There are several references in the Bible that speak of face painting, which is often linked with ungodliness and immorality. For instance, in II Kings 9:30, the wicked woman Jezebel paints her face and adorns her hair to attract Jehu, who then curses her. In Jer. 4:30, God compares backslidden Israel to a fallen woman who tries to enhance her appearance with paint and ornaments, stating that such efforts are in vain. The Bible also advises women to adorn themselves modestly and not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or costly clothing, emphasizing that the focus should be on inner virtues and good works. These interpretations have sparked discussions among Christians, with some individuals and groups expressing varying opinions on the matter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting your body is linked with | Ungodliness and immorality |
| Bible verses that reference painting your body | II Kings 9:30, Jer. 4:30, Rom. 12:1, 2, 1 Tim. 2:19, 1 Cor. 6:20 |
| Bible verses that reference modesty in dress | 1 Tim. 2:9, 1 Thess. 4:16-18 |
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What You'll Learn
Face painting is linked with immorality and ungodliness
The Bible appears to associate face painting with immorality and ungodliness. There are three references in the Bible that mention face painting. The first is in II Kings 9:30, which tells the story of Jezebel, a wicked woman who, upon seeing Jehu approaching the city, painted her face and adorned her hair to attract him. Jehu cursed her and ordered that she be thrown into the street, where dogs devoured her flesh. This narrative portrays face painting as an attempt to enhance one's physical appearance for immoral purposes.
Another reference is found in Jeremiah 4:30, where God compares backslidden Israel to a fallen woman who tries to improve her outward appearance with paint and ornaments. God declares that such efforts are futile: "In vain shalt thou make thyself fair." This passage suggests that excessive focus on physical beauty, through face painting and ornamentation, is viewed negatively in the Bible and can be associated with ungodliness.
Additionally, in Romans 12:1-2, there is an admonition to present our bodies as living sacrifices to Christ and not to conform to the world. Face painting is considered a mark of worldly fashion, and Christians are called to maintain an outward difference from non-believers. Similarly, 1 Timothy 2:9 advises women to adorn themselves with modesty and sobriety, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing. Instead, the focus should be on good works and inward godliness.
The Bible's teachings on face painting emphasize the importance of modesty and not conforming to worldly standards of beauty. Face painting, in the context of these verses, is linked to a distraction from true beauty and a potential indicator of a person's spiritual state. While the Bible does not explicitly condemn all forms of face painting, it cautions against using it to enhance one's appearance in a way that could lead to immorality or distract from a godly lifestyle.
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Women should adorn themselves modestly
The Bible has been interpreted by some as discouraging women from adorning themselves with makeup and other forms of "costly array". In 1 Timothy 2:9, women are instructed to "adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array".
This interpretation is further supported by a passage in Jeremiah 4:30, which states:
> "And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself in crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair."
Here, God is comparing backslidden Israel to a fallen woman who attempts to enhance her outward appearance with paint and ornaments, and God declares that her efforts are futile. Similarly, in II Kings 9:30, the wicked woman Jezebel paints her face and adorns her hair to attract Jehu, who curses her and has her cast out upon the street.
The Bible also advises in Romans 12:1, 2 that believers should present their bodies as living sacrifices to Christ and not be fashioned according to the world. Painting one's face is considered by some to be a mark of worldliness, and thus, Christians are called unto separation.
While some Christians may interpret these passages as a directive for women to avoid all forms of cosmetic enhancement, it is worth noting that the Bible also contains verses that seem to acknowledge the use of cosmetics. For example, in the Song of Solomon 4:9, the beloved is compared to a horse adorned for battle: "You have ravished my heart with a glance of your eyes, with one of the jewels of your neck. How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than all kinds of spices!" Here, the use of cosmetics appears to be viewed positively, as a way to enhance one's beauty and the beauty of one's love.
Ultimately, the Bible does not explicitly prohibit women from adorning themselves with makeup or other forms of cosmetic enhancement. However, it does encourage women to prioritise inward beauty and good works over outward appearance, recognising that true beauty comes from within and that outward adornment should not be the primary means by which a woman seeks to make herself fair.
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Christians should present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Christ
The Bible instructs Christians to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to God. This is mentioned in Romans 12:1, where it says: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
This verse highlights the importance of worship in the Christian life. Before defining the Christian life as merciful, Paul defines it as worshipful. This means that Christians should first give themselves away in worship to God before extending mercy to others. By presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, we are offering ourselves completely to God and yielding our bodies as instruments of righteousness under His control.
Being a living sacrifice involves not conforming to the world and its lusts but being transformed by the renewal of our minds. Romans 12:2 states, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." This transformation is achieved through engaging with God's Word, including hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on Scripture.
The focus is not on physical appearance or earthly treasures, but on making God's mercy visible through our bodily actions. As the Bible says in another passage, “Though you are clothed in red, though you make yourself beautiful with ornaments of gold, though you make your eyes wide with paint, it is for nothing that you make yourself fair..." (source: potentially Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon, or another book of the Bible). Therefore, Christians should strive to present their bodies as living sacrifices to Christ, offering themselves as instruments of righteousness and making God's mercy visible through their actions.
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God disapproves of attempts to enhance outward appearance
The act of painting one's body or face is associated with worldly vanity and immorality in the Bible. In II Kings 9:30, the wicked woman Jezebel is mentioned, who painted her face and adorned her hair to attract Jehu. Jehu, however, cursed her and ordered her to be cast out onto the streets. This narrative serves as a warning against excessive focus on outward beauty.
Similarly, in Jeremiah 4:30, God compares backslidden Israel to a fallen woman who attempts to enhance her outward appearance with paint and ornaments. God declares that such attempts at vanity are futile and vain. The verse reads:
> "And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself in crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair."
The Bible also advises women to adorn themselves with modesty and sobriety rather than expensive clothing, braided hair, or gold, as stated in 1 Timothy 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3-4. This encouragement to focus on inner beauty and modesty over outward appearance is a recurring theme in the Bible.
In Romans 12:1-2, Christians are instructed to present their bodies as living sacrifices to Christ, not conforming to the world. Face painting or excessive focus on outward appearance can be seen as conforming to worldly standards rather than reflecting a Christian's inward transformation and separation from the world.
While the Bible discourages an excessive focus on outward appearance, it is important to note that this does not mean neglecting personal hygiene or self-care. As illustrated in the story of the Painted Face, a Christian's conviction about makeup or painting one's face may vary, and it is essential to respect each individual's interpretation and relationship with God.
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The Bible mentions face painting three times
The act of painting one's face is mentioned in the Bible three times and is generally associated with immorality and ungodliness.
In II Kings 9:30, the wicked woman Jezebel paints her face and adorns her hair to attract Jehu as he enters the city. Jehu, however, curses her and has her thrown out onto the street, where she meets a gruesome end. This story serves as a warning against immorality and the rejection of God.
Another reference to face painting is found in Jeremiah 4:30, where God compares backslidden Israel to a fallen woman who attempts to enhance her outward appearance with paint, ornaments, and fine clothing. God declares that these efforts are in vain, emphasizing the importance of inner beauty and piety over external appearances.
The Bible also mentions face painting in 1 Timothy 2:9, which advises women to adorn themselves with modesty and sobriety rather than elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or costly clothing. This verse encourages a focus on inner virtues and good works over outward appearances.
These passages suggest that face painting in the Bible is associated with worldly vanities and a potential distraction from spiritual devotion. However, it is important to interpret these verses within their specific contexts and recognize that they may not necessarily apply to all forms of face painting in modern contexts.
Additionally, it is worth noting that some Christians may interpret these verses differently, and there may be other passages in the Bible that provide a more nuanced perspective on the topic.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bible seems to associate body painting with immorality and ungodliness. In II Kings 9:30, Jezebel paints her face and adorns her hair to attract Jehu, who later curses her. In Jer. 4:30, God compares backslidden Israel to a fallen woman who tries to enhance her appearance with paint and ornaments, and God says it was in vain.
Yes, there are a few references to face painting in the Bible. One interpretation of these passages is that painting one's face is a mark of the world and goes against the admonition in Rom. 12:1, 2 to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to Christ, separate from worldly fashions.
The Bible also addresses other forms of body modification, such as braided hair, gold, pearls, and costly array. In 1 Timothy 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3-4, women are instructed to adorn themselves with modest apparel and shamefacedness, indicating that excessive or extravagant forms of body modification may not align with Biblical teachings.
