braided hair and gold

[TonyChanYT]

ESV, 1 Timothy 2:

9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,

Hair Studies: Braids & Dreads | Hairstory:


Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers:

Or gold.--Probably, the "gold" is supposed to be twined among the plaits of the hair. These elaborate adornments, so likely to catch the eye at divine worship, were quite inconsistent with Christian simplicity, besides being calculated to distract the attention of their fellow worshippers

Paul wasn't against braided hair but immodest braided hair. Modesty is the key.

1 Corinthians 11:

15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.

Having long hair is natural. Elaborate hairstyles are artificial. They are adornments or embellishments,

Peter concurred in 1 Peter 3:

3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.

The apostles were against women spending time and money on the superficial outward appearance of hairstyling. Instead, they should focus on the inward character:

4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.