Early Christian Views on Dancing and Modesty

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Direct teaching

The Instructor tells them to go out in proper clothing and to dress themselves with modesty and self-control, as 1 Timothy 2:9 says, being subject to their own husbands. Then, if any do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, while they observe, he says, your pure conduct. Their beauty should not be outward beauty, such as braided hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine clothes. Instead, let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:1-4

Tertullian, On the Apparel of Women Direct teaching

...to please by means of sensual attraction, all these things are rejected as frivolous, as hostile to modesty. For where God is, there is modesty; there is sobriety, her assistant and ally. How, then, shall we practice modesty without her instrumental means, that is, without sobriety? How, moreover, shall we bring sobriety to bear on the discharge of the functions of modesty, unless seriousness in appearance, in countenance, and in the general aspect of the entire man marks our conduct?

Tertullian, On the Apparel of Women Direct teaching

...That salvation—and not the salvation of women only, but of men also—consists principally in showing modesty. For since, by the introduction into us of the Holy Spirit, we are all the temple of God, Modesty is the sacristan and priestess of that temple. She must allow nothing unclean or profane to be brought into it, lest the God who inhabits it should be offended and completely forsake the polluted dwelling. But at present we are not speaking about modesty itself, because the divine precepts that press on us from every side are enough to enjoin and require it. Rather, we are speaking about the things that belong to it—that is, the way in which it behooves you to walk. For most women—and this very thing I trust God may permit me to rebuke in all, with a view, of course, to my own personal rebuke—either through simple ignorance or else through dissimulation, have the boldness so to walk as if modesty consisted only in the mere integrity of the flesh and in turning away from actual fornication. They act as though there were no need for anything outward besides this, in the matter of the arrangement of dress and ornament, the studied graces of form and brilliance. In their gait they

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...ly practice of bathing in the same place with men, for the nets of the evil one are many. And let a Christian woman not bathe with a hermaphrodite; for if she is to veil her face and hide it with modesty from strange men, how can she bear to enter the bath naked together with men? But if the bath is set apart for women, let her bathe in an orderly, modest, and moderate way. And let her not bathe without a reason, nor too much, nor too often, nor in the middle of the day, nor, if possible, every day. Let the tenth hour of the day be the appointed time for such fitting bathing. For it is proper that you, being a Christian woman, should always keep away from curiosity that has many eyes.

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

..., he sets a proper limit for your clothing and ornaments. He said, "Let women adorn themselves with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or expensive clothing, but as is fitting for women who profess chastity, with a good way of life." 1 Timothy 2:9-10 Peter also agrees with these same teachings and says, "Let a woman's adornment not be outward, in clothing, or gold, or fine dress, but the adornment of the heart." 1 Peter 3:3-4 But if they also warn that women who are used to excusing their dress by referring to their husband should be restrained and limited by religious observance according to the Church's discipline, how much more right is it for the virgin to keep that observance? She has no excuse for adorning herself, nor can the deceitfulness of her fault be laid on another, but she herself remains guilty of it!

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

... to mixed public baths? They offer to lustful, curious eyes bodies that are devoted to chastity and modesty. When they shamelessly look at naked men, and are themselves seen naked by men, do they not offer temptation to vice? Do they not stir up and invite the desires of those who are present, to their own corruption and harm? You say, "Let each person consider the attitude with which he comes there. My only concern is to refresh and wash my poor body." That kind of defense does not clear you, and it does not excuse the sin of lust and wantonness. That kind of washing defiles; it does not purify or cleanse the body, but stains it. You do not look at anyone in an immodest way, but you yourself are looked at in an immodest way. You do not pollute your eyes with shameful pleasure, but by giving pleasure to others, you yourself are polluted. You put the bathhouse on display. The places where you gather are more filthy than a theater. There, all modesty is taken off along with clothing. The honor and modesty of the body are laid aside. Virginity is exposed, to be pointed at and touched. So now consider this: when you are clothed, are you modest among men, when the boldness of nakedne

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Direct teaching

..., they are simply proved to be wicked. For through the body itself, the wantonness of lust shines clearly, as in people with dropsy, where the water is covered by the skin. In both cases, the disease is known by the look. Therefore men, giving women a noble example of truth, ought to be ashamed to strip before them, and should guard against these dangerous sights. For whoever looks lustfully, it is said, has already sinned. Matthew 5:28 At home, therefore, they ought to look with modesty on parents and servants. In the streets, on those they meet. In the baths, on women. In solitude, on themselves. And everywhere, on the Word, who is everywhere, and without Him not one thing came into being. John 1:3 For only in this way will one remain without falling, if he regards God as always present with him.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...d up an inward persecution against us, and their unrest may be added to the heap of their sins. For modesty is especially fitting for those whose sins condemn an immodest mind. Let them knock at the doors, but certainly not break them down. Let them come to the threshold of the church, but certainly not leap over it. Let them keep watch at the gates of the heavenly camp, but let them be armed with modesty, since they know that they have been deserters. Let them take up again the trumpet of their prayers, but let them not use it to sound a call to war. Let them indeed arm themselves with the weapons of modesty, and let them take up again the shield of faith, which they had laid aside by their denial through fear of death. But let those who are now armed remember that they are armed against their enemy, the devil, not against the Church, which grieves over their fall. A modest request will help them greatly, along with a humble appeal, a necessary humility, and a patience that is not careless. Let them send tears as their messengers for their sufferings. Let groanings brought out from their deepest heart do the work of an advocate, and show their grief and shame for the crime they

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

But when we speak and make requests in prayer, let it be with discipline, quietness, and modesty. Let us remember that we are standing in God's sight. We must please the eyes of God both by the way our body is composed and by the measure of our voice. For just as it is the mark of a shameless man to be loud in his crying out, so, on the other hand, it is fitting for a modest man to pray with restrained requests. Moreover, in His teaching the Lord has commanded us to pray in secret, in hidden and secluded places, in our own rooms. This is especially fitting for faith, so that we may know that God is present everywhere, and hears and sees all things, and in the fullness of His majesty reaches even into hidden and secret places, as it is written: "I am a God near at hand, and not a God far off. If a man hides himself in secret places, shall I not then see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth?" Jeremiah 23:23-24. And again: "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3. And when we come together with the brothers in one place, and celebrate divine sacrifices with God's priest, we ought to remember modesty and discipline. We should not pour out

Tertullian, On the Apparel of Women Supporting witness

Clothe yourselves with the silk of uprightness, the fine linen of holiness, the purple of modesty.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

who prostitute to eyes that are curious to lust, bodies that are dedicated to chastity and modesty?

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

Modesty and chastity are collars and necklaces; such are the chains which God forges.

Arnobius, Against the Heathen Direct teaching

...r crowd of souls would be led, in their wantonness, to give themselves over to clumsy movements, to dance and sing, form dancing circles, and finally, lifting their haunches and hips, glide along with a trembling motion of the loins?

Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness

but the dancing of Herodias was opposed to that holy dancing with which those who have not danced will be reproached when they hear the words, We piped unto you, and you did not dance.

Lactantius, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes Supporting witness

The immodest gestures also of players, with which they imitate disreputable women, teach the lusts, which they express by dancing.

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

Let revelry stay far from our reasonable gatherings, and also those foolish late-night watches that delight in excess. For revelry is like an intoxicating flute, the chain of a love-bridge, that is, of sorrow. And let love affairs, drunkenness, and senseless passions be removed from our group. Crude singing is the close companion of drunkenness. A night spent drinking invites drunkenness, stirs up lust, and becomes bold in shameful acts. For if people spend their time with pipes, psalteries, choirs, dances, Egyptian hand-clapping, and other disorderly amusements like these, they become very shameless and hard to control. They beat cymbals and drums, and make noise with instruments of deception. For clearly, such a feast, it seems to me, is a theater of drunkenness. For the apostle commands that, putting off the works of darkness, we should put on the armor of light, and walk properly as in the day, not spending our time in rioting and drunkenness, in chambering and wantonness. Romans 13:12-13 Let the pipe be left to shepherds, and the flute to the superstitious who are absorbed in idolatry. For truly, such instruments should be banished from a self-controlled banquet, since they ar

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

..., should disguises of this kind deceive us? Therefore those games are celebrated with every kind of wantonness, as suits the memory of a harlot. For besides the licentiousness of speech, in which every kind of lewdness is poured out, women are also stripped of their clothing at the demand of the people. Then they perform the role of mime players and are kept in the sight of the people with indecent gestures, until unchaste eyes are satisfied.

Commodianus, Writings Supporting witness

...esses, or of the whole pomp of the devil? You reject the law when you wish to please the world. You dance in your houses. Instead of psalms, you sing love songs. Although you may be chaste, you do not prove yourself so by following evil things. Therefore Christ makes you, such as you are, equal with the Gentiles. Be pleasing to the hymned chorus, and to an appeased Christ. With ardent love fervently offer your savour to Christ.

Arnobius, Against the Heathen Supporting witness

that they should take the lead in singing impure songs, and raising the loud din of the castanets, by which another crowd of souls should be led in their wantonness to abandon themselves to clumsy motions, to dance and sing, form rings of dancers, and finally, raising their haunches and hips, float along with a tremulous motion of the loins?

Justin Martyr, The Discourse to the Greeks Supporting witness

What seemliness is there in a woman’s girding herself with armour, or in a man’s decorating himself with cymbals, and garlands, and female attire, and accompanied by a herd of bacchanalian women?

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

Let revelry keep away from our rational entertainments, and foolish vigils, too, that revel in intemperance.

Origen, Commentary on Matthew Supporting witness

And on birthdays, when the lawless word reigns over them, they dance so that their movements please that word.

Lactantius, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes Background

Therefore all shows are to be avoided, that we may be able to maintain a tranquil state of mind.

Matthew 14:6 Background

But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod,

Origen, Commentary on Matthew Direct teaching

...ich seem to be according to the law, were nothing but the movements of Herodias’s daughter. But the dancing of Herodias was opposed to that holy dancing, with which those who have not danced will be reproached when they hear the words, “We piped to you, and you did not dance.” And on birthdays, when the lawless word rules over them, they dance so that their movements please that word. One of those before us noticed what is written in Genesis about Pharaoh’s birthday, and said that the worthless man who loves things connected with birth keeps birthday feasts. Taking this suggestion from him, we find nowhere in Scripture that a righteous man kept a birthday. For Herod was more unjust than that famous Pharaoh. For on the latter man’s birthday feast, a chief baker is killed, Genesis 40:20. But by the former, John is killed, he than whom no one greater has risen among those born of women, Matthew 11:11, and about whom the Savior says, “But for what purpose did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.” Luke 7:26 But thanks be to God that, even if the grace of prophecy was taken from the people, a grace greater than all that was poured out among the Gen

2 Samuel 6:21 Background

And David said to Michal, I will dance before the Lord. Blessed be the Lord who chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to make me head over his people, even over Israel: therefore I will play, and dance before the Lord.

1 Chronicles 15:29 Background

And the ark of the covenant of the Lord arrived, and came to the city of David; and Michal the daughter of Saul looked down through the window, and saw King David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

Exodus 15:20 Background

Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing.

Jeremiah 31:13 Background

Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

2 Samuel 6:14 Background

And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

Psalms 150:4 Background

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

Psalms 149:3 Background

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 Background

a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

3 Maccabees 6:35 Background

But the Jews, as we just said, instituted a dance, and then gave themselves up to feasting, glad thanksgivings, and psalms.

1 Samuel 18:6 Background

And there came out women in dances to meet David out of all the cities of Israel, with timbrels, and with rejoicing, and with cymbals.

Hosea 3:4 Background

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to lament, and a time to dance;