“Good Works, Not Good Looks”
Spiritual Leadership in the
Church Series
1 Tim 2:10
THEME: the church is to conduct its services with order and this included the way women dress to execute their church related duties.
RELEVANCE: A proper appearance at church is important because it reflects respect for God and the worship environment. It helps create a reverential atmosphere, reminding attendees of the significance of the meeting. Choosing to dress appropriately can also be a form of personal expression of faith. It encourages individuals to prepare their hearts and minds for worship, aligning their outward appearance with their inner devotion. Appropriate clothing also minimizes distractions during worship. When everyone dresses with thoughtfulness, it allows the focus to remain on the Lord God rather than on individual appearances.
INTRODUCTION:
“Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40) is a
basic principle for the conduct of the ministry of the church.
God cherishes “good works, not good looks” emphasizing the importance of actions over appearances. This concept highlights that what truly matters are the deeds we perform rather than superficial qualities or physical attractiveness. Good works refer to positive actions that align with God’s moral or ethical standards…true expressions of real faith and morality. These “good works” are the fruits of real faith, not the root of genuine salvation. They are important but are not the means to achieve salvation.
Show
Submission in the Church Meetings Through Godly Works (1Tim. 2:10).
This is evidence of godly character; a genuinely submissive
attitude will lead to wholesome deeds.
1. Godliness is the Right Motive for Good Works
(1Tim. 2:10).
Godliness
has to do with a fear of God that results in obedience.
o Paul
Did Not Suggest That Good Works Are a Substitute for Real Clothing! (2:9b-10a)
o It
Was a Contrast. Rather, he was contrasting the “cheapness” of
expensive and excessive clothes and jewelry with the true values of godly
character and Christian service.
o It
Was a Comparison. The word “adorn”
(2:9) you remember has the basic meaning of “an
ordered system, an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order.”
§ It
is related to an ornament, decoration, or adornment. It is also connected to
the action of “putting in order, arranging, and making ready.”
§ When
this is compared to verse ten where it says, “which becometh women” the message clearly
points to the Christian women’s character as the controlling factor for
selecting her clothing, ordering her conduct, and determining her
career (service). A Christian woman is to “adorn or harmoniously
arrange” herself with clothing, conduct, and a career in a way that matches
the godliness in her character!
o It
Was a Characterization. It is the principle that governs the kind of
adornment, namely, the Christian woman is to depend upon a Christian character
for her adornment, good works naturally flow out of godly character. When she
does this, her apparel will be in keeping with her Christian character. Glamour
can be partially applied on the outside, but godliness must come from within.
§ “[But
(which becometh women professing godliness) with good works] That is, it is not
appropriate for women who profess to be the followers of the Saviour, to seek
to be distinguished for personal, external decorations. If they are Christians,
they have seen the vanity of these things, and have fixed the heart on more
substantial realities. They are professed followers of Him "who went about
doing good," and the performance of good works especially becomes them.
They profess to have fixed the affections on God their Saviour, and to be
living for heaven; and it is not becoming in them to seek such ornaments as
would indicate that the heart is supremely attached to worldly things. There is
great beauty in this direction. Good works, or deeds of benevolence, eminently
become a Christian female. The nature of woman seems to be adapted to the
performance of all deeds demanding kindness, tenderness, and gentleness of
feeling; of all that proceeds from pity, sympathy, and affection; and we feel
instinctively that … there is something exquisitely appropriate to the female
character in deeds of humble and unobtrusive sympathy and benevolence. God
seems to have formed her mind for just such things, and in such things it
occupies its appropriate sphere rather than in seeking external adorning.” —Barnes'
Notes
§ “The
positive side of women’s adorning is brought before us in this verse. The
adorning which is fitting for women professing godliness is found in the
performance of good works. Such “clothing” does not distract others from
communion with God, but rather provokes such fellowship. Neither does it cause
envy or jealousy in a wrong sense, but only encourages others to follow the
example.” –William MacDonald
o But
Godliness Must Result in Righteous Behavior and Service to Others (1Tim. 2:10).
o “Women professing godliness:”
§ Professing means to freely assert something
about yourself; to voluntarily make a personal claim, or even to show one’s
mastery of a certain skill.
§ Godliness means devotedness and piety;
respectful and reverent of God’s goodness.
The worship of, or having reverence for God; the fear of God is the
observance of His will.
§ Those
who confess Christianity must substantiate this confession of their religion by
good works. Women who confess
Christianity must adorn themselves with good works.
o Those
women who have publicly committed themselves to pursuing godliness should
support that claim not only in their demeanor, wardrobe, and appearance, but by
being clothed with righteous behavior.
§ Christian
women are not to try to be unattractive; instead, Paul called them to reject
the world's standard for attractiveness. A Christian's adornment comes not from
what she puts on, but from what she does for others.
§ Paul
encouraged the women to be active in the practice of their faith. The context
indicates that both the church and the family provided great opportunities for
unlimited "good works." They
were to quietly go about the significant work of serving God.
o In
our churches today, as in the Ephesian church, there are always temptations to
pursue worldly agendas. We will stay on track better if we regularly face the
question, How much of my time this week was spent in ways that will count for
eternity?
o While
a church should not strictly regulate what can or cannot be worn inside its
doors (because many sinners who need to know the Lord might not be able to
enter if specific standards had to be met), those who are members and servants,
who profess godliness, and reverence for God ought to dress sensibly and
modestly. Here the command of love
applies, and believers must accept God's standard for appearance.
o “Godliness”
Is A Key Word in Paul’s Pastoral Letters.
o (See
1 Tim. 2:2, 10; 3:16; 4:7–8; 6:3, 5–6, 11; 2 Tim. 3:5;
Titus 1:1).
2.
Church Service is the Correct Ministry of Good Works (1Tim.
2:10).
Good
works are a prominent theme in
the Pastoral Epistles, forming a very necessary balance to sound doctrine.
o Godly
Women Hold an Important Place Because of Christ and the Gospel.
o We
must never underestimate the important place that godly women played in the
ministry of churches in the past.
o The
Gospel message had a tremendous impact on them because it affirmed their value
before God and their equality in the local church body.
§ Galatians 3:28, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is
neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in
Christ Jesus.
§
This does not mean
that our ethnic background, political affiliations, or sex is changed at
conversion; but it does mean that these things are of no value nor can they handicap us when it comes to our spiritual
relationship to God through Christ. The
Law perpetuated these distinctions, but God in His grace has declared all men
to be on the same level that He might have mercy on all men (Rom. 11:25-32).
o Women
had a low place in the Roman world, but the Gospel changed that.
o Godly
Women Held an Important Place in Service in the Churches.
o There
were devoted women who ministered to Jesus in the days of His earthly ministry
(Luke 8:1–3).
o They
were present at His crucifixion and burial, and it was a woman who first
heralded the glorious news of His resurrection.
o In
the Book of Acts we meet Dorcas (Acts 9:36ff),
Lydia (Acts 16:14ff), Priscilla (Acts 18:1–3), and godly women in the Berean and
Thessalonian churches (Acts 17:4, 12).
o Paul
greeted at least eight women in Romans 16; and
Phebe, who carried the Roman epistle to its destination, was a servant in the
local church of Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1).
o Godly
Women Render Godly Works. Many believing women won their husbands to the
Lord and then opened their homes for Christian ministry.
o 1 Tim. 5:9-10, Let not a widow be taken into the number under
threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, [10] Well reported of for
good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers,
if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she
have diligently followed every good work.
o 1 Peter 2:12, Having your conversation honest among the
Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your
good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of
visitation.
o
Acts 9:36-39, Now there
was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is
called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she
did. [37] And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom
when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. [38] And forasmuch as
Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they
sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
[39] Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him
into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing
the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
o Proverbs 31:30-31, Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. [31] Give her of the
fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
§ “The
fruit of her hands is the good which, by her conduct, she has brought to
maturity-the blessing which she has secured for others, but, according to the
promise (Isa 3:10), has also secured for her own enjoyment. The first line
proceeds on the idea that, on account of this blessing, she herself shall
rejoice. Her best praise is her works themselves.” – Keil & Delitzsch
Commentary on the Old Testament
§ “Those
that do that which is good, let them have praise of the same (Rom 13:3) and let
us not enviously say, or do, any thing to the diminishing of it, but be
provoked by it to a holy emulation. Let none have an ill report from us, that
have a good report even of the truth itself. Thus is shut up this looking-glass
for ladies, which they are desired to open and dress themselves by; and, if
they do so, their adorning will be found to praise, and honour, and glory, at
the appearing of Jesus Christ.” –Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole
Bible
o Does
Paul's Emphasis on Good Works Contradict His Teaching That Salvation Is by
Faith and Not by Works? No, because the Pastoral Epistles encourage good
works for all the believers (Titus 2:4; 3:8,14),
for leaders (Titus 2:7), for the wealthy (1 Tim 6:18), and for widows (1
Tim 5:10). Paul does not teach that those good works were needed for
salvation. Jesus himself stressed good works based on love. Paul did, however,
stress the practical side of the Christian faith, expressed by good works, in
other letters (Rom 2:7; 2 Cor 11:8; Eph 2:10; Col 1:10).
Before I’m finished with this section, I wish to say once
more that it is shocking and outrageous what many women wear to church. I am
referring to ladies in the ‘choir,’ the church band or ensemble, women who
serve in the pulpit area, sing special music, and those who teach regularly.
These are serving in the church…they are a part of the ministry’s team…presenting
themselves as worthy role model for others to follow. Certainly, the lost
person or visitor may be clueless about these matters, but those who are church
members serving the Lord and His congregation should know better…. They should
understand the importance of following our Lord and not distracting attention
that should be focused on God. I have had occasions when I literally had to
relocate or stare downward at the floor to avoid looking at an attendee or a
person on the platform. I had to FIGHT deep within with my flesh in church to
stay focused! Dear, sister…we came to admire God in all His slender and not
you!
CONCLUSION:
Beloved, a proper appearance at church is important because it respects God foremost and the worship environment of the church meetings. When any serving believer acts accordingly they literally helps create a reverential atmosphere reminding attendees of the significance of the meeting. Everyone of us should want this primarily. Please do not forget what truly matters are the deeds we perform rather than superficial qualities or our physical attractiveness. We want to be guilty of looking beyond the surface to the real essence! Choosing to dress ourselves appropriately can also be a form of personal expression of our faith. We delight in encouraging attendees to prepare their hearts and minds for worship, align their outward appearance with their inner devotion, and offer praise and worship to our worthy Lord God. In doing so, appropriate clothing minimizes distractions during worship...our focus remains on our Lord where it should be. Individual appearances are important, but it should never compete for attention, respect, and glory. In the church meetings these honors obviously belong to the Lord exclusively.
