Question: What is the Biblical perspective on modesty for a man and treating his body as a Holy temple?
Answer: Greetings and thank you for your question.
When it comes to modesty, there seems to be an emphasis in the Bible on women dressing modestly. The two texts that speak directly toward this are 1 Timothy 2:9-10 and 1 Peter 3:3-5:
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[9] in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, [10] but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. (1 Timothy 2:9-10 NKJV)
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[3] Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- [4] rather 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. [5] For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, (1 Peter 3:3-5 NKJV)
There are also sections in Proverbs that depict the gaudily dressed woman as a prostitute (e.g., Proverbs 7:6-27) who lures foolish men into her bed. So, when it comes to modesty in dress and appearance, the emphasis seems to be on the woman. This doesn't mean to suggest that men can dress immodestly, but we know that men tend to be more attracted by physical looks than women as a general rule.
What are the biblical requirements for men in regards to sexuality? It's quite clear than men are to refrain from pre and extra-marital sex just as women. The Bible stresses marital fidelity to men primarily because of the culture in which the Bible was written it was common for man to have multiple wives and concubines (e.g., Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon, etc.). This is clearly evident in the "holy temple" passage you reference. The idea of the body being a "temple" should not be understood as we do in our culture as a reference to working out and eating healthy. When Paul uses this imagery in 1 Corinthians 6, he is referring to having sex with prostitutes.
[15] Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! [16] Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh." [17] But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. [18] Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. [19] Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? [20] For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:15-20 NKJV)
The Corinthians had a very "Greek" way of viewing the body. They believed that the body was nothing, so committing sins in the body was okay since the body was nothing. Paul argues quite strongly in the negative. He says that in Christ the body is a temple for the Holy Spirit. Therefore, having sex with a prostitute was the same thing as defiling the temple of God.
So, how do things look for a "man of God?" Let's consider what Paul says to Timothy and Titus.
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Men are to pray lifting "holy hands" (1 Timothy 2:9).
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If they aspire to leadership in the church, they must exhibit exemplary character and quality (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
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Older men are to be sober and reverent (Titus 2:2).
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Younger men are also to be sober-minded (Titus 2:6-8).
So, while there aren't explicit commands for men to dress modestly, there are plenty of commands for men to show temperance, sober-mindedness, fidelity, humility, and overall good character.
These are the biblical commands, and they are unwavering and leave no room for creative interpretation. Given that, we also need to recognize that our salvation doesn't depend on our godly behavior. Rather, our godly behavior flows out of the fact that we have been saved. Furthermore, the reality for the Christian is the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. The Christian will battle with the sin nature all his/her life. While the biblical commands are unwavering, our obedience to them will be inconsistent. The good news is we trust in a Savior who lived perfectly according to all the commands of God and who freely gives us His righteousness through faith. As Paul says, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV).
I hope this helps.
