Men, Keep Your Shirts On

Many people now consider it socially acceptable for men to be shirtless in public, with much of their bodies on display. Is this pleasing to God? For many years, faithful Christians have taught that God set an objective standard for modesty that applies to both men and women when He clothed Adam and Eve in a garment that covered them from the neck to the knees. Scholars and commentators also note this same point.

In Packer and Tenney’s Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible, the Hebrew word translated as “coats” (KJV) or “tunics” (NKJV) in Genesis 3:21 is described as a garment that reached from the neck to the knees, and sometimes to the ankles. Fred H. Wight, in Manners and Customs of Bible Lands, likewise explains that the kethoneth was a long garment worn next to the skin, extending from the shoulders down to between the knees and the ankles. Brown, Driver, and Briggs Hebrew Lexicon and The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament define this word as a “long, shirt-like garment.” James M. Freeman’s Manners and Customs of the Bible further notes that this was the common, long inner garment worn by both men and women, often reaching to the ankles. Even without scholarly definitions of kethoneth, it is clear that “coats” or “tunics” would not have left the upper body uncovered. This garment was loose-fitting, not revealing the body’s shape, as tight clothing can draw attention to the body in ways that provoke lust. The same word is also translated “robe” in Isaiah 22:21—like a bathrobe reaching from the neck to the knees. Faithful children of God have long understood this as God’s standard of covering, extending from the neck to the knees and applying equally to both men and women. Nowhere in the Bible do we find God allowing men or women to have their upper bodies uncovered in public, and other passages show that exposure above the knees was considered “nakedness” (Exodus 28:42; Isaiah 47:2–3).

Some may appeal to hot weather or sports activities to justify clothing that exposes the upper body or thighs. If hot weather justifies removing some clothing God requires, why would it not justify removing all clothing? Since the Bible defines partial covering as “nakedness” (Genesis 3:10; Exodus 28:42; Isaiah 47:2–3), how could such nakedness (such as wearing only shorts) be defended? Inconvenience or discomfort does not nullify God’s moral standards. Scripture teaches that temptations can be a form of suffering, and resisting them may involve enduring hardship (Hebrews 2:18). In this case, those perceived “hardships” may involve some physical discomfort or being considered strange for not removing clothing (Romans 12:1–2; 1 Peter 4:3–4). Will we take up our cross daily, or conform to the world? (Luke 9:23). Do we glorify God with our bodies when we reveal our bodies to the world? (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Some may point to Peter fishing without his outer garment to justify clothing that exposes the upper body or thighs, but this does not provide divine approval: (1) no women were present, reducing the risk of lust; (2) there is no indication Peter ever dressed this way in general public; (3) the text merely records the event without indicating God’s approval; (4) Peter may still have been wearing his long inner garment; and (5) Peter immediately put on his outer garment when he saw Jesus (John 21:7; cf. Genesis 3:7–10, 21).

Some may say that culture determines modesty, but God’s Word is the standard of morality, and covering one’s body to avoid nakedness remains as constant as honesty, protecting the innocent, and other timeless standards of morality from God who “changes not” (Malachi 3:6). The New Testament calls Christians to a higher standard than secular culture. Some may see this as minor, but Jesus emphasized the importance of small acts of obedience: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10). Clothing styles may change, but the principle of covering the body to prevent lust and avoid shame has not. This standard of clothing is not some rigid rule with no purpose—it is about loving God and loving and protecting others from the greatest danger of all—sin (1 Corinthians 10:24; 1 John 2:10). Those who carelessly cause others to be tempted will regret doing so: “But whoso shall offend [cause to sin, JPH] one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” (Matthew 18:6–7).

Recently I decided to see what ChatGPT would say when asked about whether women can be tempted to lust after men’s bodies and whether the Bible provides an objective standard for how much of the body should be covered.

Jason asked: “ChatGPT, is there any evidence that women can be tempted to lust after men’s bodies, and is there any objective Biblical standard for how much of a person’s body (male or female) should be covered?”

ChatGPT said: “Yes. Scientific research, including brain imaging studies, confirms that women can be visually aroused by men’s bodies, especially when muscular or minimally clothed—such as at beaches or bodybuilding contests. While men are often more visually stimulated, women are not immune to temptation. The Bible records examples like Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:7) to show that lust is not limited to men, and Jesus warned that looking to lust is deadly sin (Matthew 5:28–30). Many Christian women have testified that shirtless men, tight shorts, or revealing clothing can be a genuine stumbling block. Therefore, men should also dress modestly (1 John 2:10).

As for a Biblical standard, Genesis 3:21 says God clothed Adam and Eve with “coats” or “tunics” (kethoneth)—garments that covered from the shoulders or neck down to at least the knees, often to the ankles. This replaced their fig-leaf aprons, showing that partial covering still leaves a person naked in God’s sight. This is emphasized by Genesis 3:10, where Adam still described himself as naked after making a loin covering (hagorah), showing that God’s standard for being clothed requires more than covering only the midsection. In God’s eyes, they were still naked until they were clothed in the tunic He provided. This applies to both genders and sets an objective minimum for modesty. Likewise, Exodus 28:42 required priests to wear breeches covering ‘from the loins even unto the thighs’ (yarek = hip to knee), which means full thigh coverage to the knees or lower. Isaiah 47:2–3 associates thigh exposure with nakedness.

From the beginning, God’s standard for both men and women has been to cover from the shoulders to at least the knees. Modesty is not just cultural—it is part of God’s moral law—and both sexes should dress to avoid causing lust and to reflect holiness.”

Jason asked: “When did it become culturally acceptable for men to go shirtless?”

ChatGPT said: “In the early 20th century, it was considered improper for men to appear shirtless in public, even at the beach, and many U.S. cities had laws against it—some men were even arrested. This began to change in the late 1930s, when shirtlessness became acceptable for swimming and certain sports. By the 1940s, bare-chested male swimmers, lifeguards, and athletes were common in films and magazines, and by the late 20th century, shirtlessness in casual settings such as beaches, pools, sports, and yard work had become widely accepted in Western culture. This is a relatively recent development. For most of human history, men typically wore garments covering the upper body in public—consistent with the Biblical principle of modesty for both men and women.”

Conclusion: If God has given us a clear example of an acceptable covering and there is no record of Him ever approving a lesser covering, by what authority would anyone dare to wear anything that covers less? (Colossians 3:17). In all aspects of life, Christians should seek to glorify God and help others. Prayerfully consider how God sees your clothing and how it affects others. Both men and women should cover from the neck to the knees and avoid tight clothing that reveals the body’s shape, seeking to please God and keep ourselves and others from sin (Matthew 18:6–7; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 10:24, 31–33; 1 John 2:10).

REFERENCES

• Brown, Francis, S. R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Hendrickson, 1996.

• Freeman, James M. Manners and Customs of the Bible. Logos International, 1972.

• Koehler, Ludwig, Walter Baumgartner, and Johann Jakob Stamm. The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Brill, 1994–2000.

• Packer, J. I., and Merrill C. Tenney. Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1980.

• Wight, Fred H. Manners and Customs of Bible Lands. Chicago: Moody Press, 1953.