What Does the Bible Say About Nakedness?

I. NAKEDNESS IS SHAMEFUL

A. Prior to the Fall

1. Adam and Eve were naked and yet were not ashamed (Genesis 2:25).
2. What is the reason for the absence of shame?
a. Was it because Adam and Eve were alone?
b. One would not think so, because even after the fall, they were alone and yet became bothered by their nakedness to the point that they sought out a covering (Genesis 3:7).

B. After the Fall

1. The change for Adam and Eve
a. Once their eyes were opened, the nakedness made them uncomfortable (Genesis 3:7, 10, 11).
b. This is connected to the reception of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:5).
c. This very likely involves the acquiring of a conscience by Adam and Eve. The word conscience merely means knowledge within.
d. Once Adam and Eve had knowledge within, they became uncomfortable being naked in a public environment. Keep in mind that it was only the animals, the spouse, and God that could see them.
e. A right conscience will be bothered when nakedness is exposed for others (outside of a few exceptions) to see.
1.) This explains why you might see someone who has no idea what the scripture says about nakedness seeking to pull things down or pull things up to cover areas of nakedness.
2.) Sadly, as the conscience becomes weak, defiled (1 Corinthians 8:7; Titus 1:15), or seared (1 Timothy 4:2), it loses this insight.
3.) Also sadly, our unwillingness to cover our nakedness emboldens the carnal Christian and unsaved man to further violate his own conscience (1 Corinthians 8:10, 12).
2. The connection throughout scripture
a. “And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)” (Exodus 32:25)
b. “So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.” (Isaiah 20:4)
c. “Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.” (Isaiah 47:3)
d. “Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Beth-ezel; he shall receive of you his standing.” (Micah 1:11)
e. “Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.” (Nahum 3:5)
f. “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” (Revelation 3:18)
g. “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15)

II. NAKEDNESS IS MISCONSTRUED

A. The Absence of Clothing Altogether

1. In Adam and Eve’s case (Genesis 2:25; Genesis 3:7)
2. In Saul’s case (1 Samuel 19:24)
3. In Job’s case (Job 1:21); Note: This probably suggests more than a lack of clothing.

B. The Exposal of Private Areas

1. In the priest’s case (Exodus 20:26; Exodus 28:42)
2. In Isaiah’s case (Isaiah 20:2)
3. In Babylon’s case (Isaiah 47:2-3)

III. NAKEDNESS IS TO BE COVERED

A. As Set Forth in Scripture

1. Nakedness involves discovering something (Exodus 20:26; Ezekiel 16:37; Nahum 3:5).
2. Noah’s sons covered the nakedness of their father (Genesis 9:22-23).
3. The priests were to cover potential nakedness (Exodus 28:42).
4. The naked are to be covered (Isaiah 58:7; Ezekiel 18:7, 16).

B. God’s Idea May Be Different from Man’s

1. Adam and Eve did what they deemed best (Genesis 3:7).
2. The LORD God made them coats of skins, and clothed them (Genesis 3:21).