I Timothy 2:8-15

I Timothy 2

8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

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, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

In this chapter of Timothy, Paul begins to cover some guidelines for women. Not all of these are popular, but they are clearly in Scripture.

First, Paul says that he desires that the men should pray (v. 8). This links directly to verses 11 and 12; they say that women should learn quietly, not teaching or exercising authority over men. God desires for men to have the authority in the church. They should be the teachers of other men. Verses 13 and 14 explain why; Eve was deceived first, then Adam. This speaks to our nature as women. It is important to remember that this doesn’t lessen the value of women and it doesn’t mean that there aren’t other roles for us in the church. We can teach other women and children; we just should not have authority over men. Ultimately, verse 15 outlines that our main responsibility as women is our children (if we have them). By raising Godly children, we fulfill our calling. No matter what role you fill in the church, make sure your children are taken care of first.

Paul also addresses modesty and self-control for women in this passage. He says wear what is respectable and not things that attract attention to yourself. Rather than adorning yourself with expensive clothes, put on good works and godliness. I think we have put a lot of ‘rules’ on what modesty is; some of them may be helpful, but a lot of them just create rebellion. Instead of those rules, remember what Paul says- wear what is respectable. Do your clothes communicate that a man should respect you? That other women should respect you? Or do they make it difficult for men not to objectify your body and make women want to cover the eyes of their husbands/boyfriends/sons? Respect yourself and earn the respect of others through your clothing. Secondly, remember to put on good works and godliness- they are what should attract men to you.