“God's Place for Women During Church”
Spiritual Leadership in the
Church Series
1 Tim 2:9-15
THEME: the church is to conduct its services with the women desiring God's order above the culture's preferences.
RELEVANCE: Church services are to be focused on the Lord Jesus and the worship of God through Him! Instructions are shared to draw believers closer to the Lord as we together seek His honor and offer our praise. People believe God and chose Him when we live for His excellence or hype up His very real goodness and grace. Attention is designed with God in mind, not the church women or the external culture who may attend. The focus is not entertainment, but worship!
INTRODUCTION:
In these days of “Women’s Lib” and other feminist movements, the word “submission” makes some people angry and triggered. Some even accused Paul of being a “crusty old bachelor” who was anti-women. Holding to the inspiration and authority of the Word of God, we know that Paul’s teachings came from God and not from himself. A problem with what the Bible says about women in the church, is not with Paul (or Peter—see 1 Peter 3:1–7), but with the Lord who gave the Word (2 Tim. 3:16–17). Actually…we reveal the real problem is with us!
- The word “subjection” in 1 Timothy 2:11 has to do with “submitting” and “submit” as in Ephesians and Colossians.
- Ephes. 5:21-22, Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. [22] Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
- Col. 3:18, Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
- It literally means “to rank under.” Anyone who has served in the armed forces knows that “rank” has to do with order and authority, not with value or ability.
- A colonel is higher in rank than a private, but that does not necessarily mean that the colonel is a better man than the private. It only means that the colonel has a higher rank and, therefore, more authority.
- “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40) is a principle God follows in His creation. Just as an army would be in confusion if there were no levels of authority, so society would be in chaos without submission. Children should submit to their parents because God has given parents the authority to train their children and discipline them in love. Employees should submit to employers and obey them (Eph. 6:5–8, where the immediate reference is to household slaves, but the application can be made to workers today). Citizens should submit to government authorities, even if the authorities are not Christians (Rom. 13; 1 Peter 2:13–20). (W. W. Wiersbe)
- Submission should not be reduced to subjugation. Submission is recognizing God’s order in the home and the church, and cheerily following Him. When a Christian wife joyfully submits to the Lord and to her own husband, it should bring out the best in her. (To help this to happen, the husband must love his wife and use God’s order as a tool to build with, not a weapon to fight with—Eph. 5:18–33.) Submission is the key to spiritual growth and ministry: husbands should be submitted to the Lord, Christians should submit to each other (Eph. 5:21), and wives should be submitted to the Lord and to their husbands. (W. W. Wiersbe)
- The emphasis in this section (1 Tim. 2:9–15) is on the place of women in the local church. Paul admonished these believing women to give evidence of their submission in several ways.
The Call to Order Regarding Submission—Women (1 Tim.
2:9–15)
Having discussed the personal requisites of the men who lead in public prayer, the apostle now turns to the things which should characterize the women who are in the congregation at such a time. (W. MacDonald)
One position permits women to occupy a place of prominence and leadership in all public services. They have women preachers, choir directors, and officers. No position is withheld from them and, as a result, the women are not only prominent but we find that they become dominant in the church.[1]
The other extreme position on this issue is taken by those who do not allow women any place at all in their public services. You never hear the voice of a woman in public in their meetings, not even in singing. I have had opportunity for good ministry among some of these folk, but believe me, they push their women to the background. I fear that they lose a great deal of talent and that the women could make a marvelous contribution if they were permitted to do so.[2]
A.
Submission Through a Modest Appearance (1 Tim. 2:9).
First, he states that they should adorn themselves in modest apparel….
Commenting on the words, “in like manner,” Vincent says, “The writer’s thought is still running upon the public assemblies for worship.” The word “adorn” is kosmeō (κοσμεω). The noun is kosmos (κοσμος), the basic meaning of which is “an ordered system, an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order.” [3]
These terms stress not so much the absence of sexual suggestiveness, though it is included, but rather an appearance that is simple, moderate, judicious, and free from ostentation.[4]
1. A Contrast Between Glamour and Godliness.
o The Contrast Here Is Between the Artificial Glamour of the World and the True Beauty of a Godly Life. Paul did not forbid the use of jewelry or lovely clothes, but rather the excessive use of them as substitutes for the true inner beauty of “a meek and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:1–6).
o A Woman Who Depends Only on Externals Will Soon Run Out of Ammunition! She may attract attention now, but she will not win lasting affection in marriage. She will garner sexual interest presently, but no one will want her as a wife or trust her to influence their children and heritage! She has little or no capacity for pursuing the will of Christ for a godly home! Perhaps the latest fashion trends were tempting the women in the church at Ephesus, and Paul had to remind Timothy to warn the women not to get trapped.
o Paul's Instructions to the Christian Women In Ephesus Must Be Understood in the Larger Contexts.
1. These women were affected by their personal experiences within Ephesian culture. They would have struggled as much with cultural conditioning as we do.
2. Women were not being singled out, nor should these instructions be binding for nonbelievers outside of the church membership. Modesty and self-restraint are for everyone at all times, and these specific principles apply to the churches today.
3. Possibly, some Christian women in the Ephesian church were trying to gain respect by looking beautiful rather than by becoming Christ-like in character.
4. In addition, Paul may have been referring to particular styles in Ephesus that were associated with prostitutes in the local temples. Artemis (also called Diana) was the goddess of Ephesus (see Acts 19:28). The festival of Artemis involved wild orgies and carousing. Obviously, Christian women should not look like or even copy the styles of the prostitutes in the temple of Artemis.
o While
There Is Nothing Wrong with Christian Women Wanting to Look Nice, Each Woman
Must Examine Her Own Motives.
o Today's
world places great emphasis on external beauty -- exceptionally perfect women
stare at us from magazine covers. Beware, there is commercial value in
manipulating women to prefer this immediate form of gratification.
o Christian
women, while they can dress nicely and take care of their appearance, must at
the same time not let their appearance become all-encompassing, and they must
not enhance their appearance merely for “sex appeal” or attention getting.
o
The idea that being an attractive woman is
financially profitable is a well-documented phenomenon known in economics as
the "beauty premium." Research consistently shows that physical
attractiveness can lead to economic advantages, though it also comes with
specific nuances and limitations.
o The financial penalty for being below-average in attractiveness is often harsher than the premium for being above-average, resulting in significantly lower lifetime earnings.-- Daniel Hamermesh, author of Beauty Pays
2. An Encouragement to Choose Attitudes Over Apparel.
o The
Word “Adorn” Means “To Arrange,” “To Put in
Order,” Or “To Make Ready.”
o A woman is to arrange herself appropriately for the worship service, which includes wearing decent clothing which reflects a properly adorned pure and chaste heart.
o “By the use of this word, Paul indicates that the adornment of the Christian woman should be one in which order, not disorder, obtains. And this orderliness must not extend merely to the relationship of the various articles of wearing apparel to one another, but also to the relationship of that apparel to her Christian character and testimony. In other words, the apparel must be congruous with, fitting to, and consistent with what she is, a child of God.” --- Wuest, K. S.
o The
Word “Modest” (1
Tim. 2:9) Simply Means “Decent And Orderly.”
o It
is related to the Greek word from which we get the English word “cosmetic.”
o A woman’s clothing should be decent, orderly, and in good taste for a church meeting and to pray to God.
o John
Chrysostom gives a definition of modest apparel
which can scarcely be improved upon:
“And what then is modest apparel? Such as covers them completely and decently, and not with superfluous ornaments; for the one is decent and the other is not. What? Do you approach God to pray with broidered hair and ornaments of gold? Are you come to a ball? a marriage-feast? a carnival? There such costly things might have been seasonable: here not one of them is wanted. You have come to pray, to ask pardon for your sins, to plead for your offences, beseeching the Lord. ... Away with such hypocrisy!”
o Women must seek an honest reflection of Christ, not the culture where she attends church. The general rule for both women and men emphasizes that both our behavior and dress must express our submission to and respect for Jesus Christ.
o The word “apparel” conveys the idea of external appearance, principally in dress. It is deportment, as exhibited externally, whether in look, manner, or dress.
o “Shamefacedness” Literally Means “Modesty, The
Avoidance of Extremes and Attention Seeking.”
o This
is the feeling of a beggar or an unfortunate person in the presence of those
from whom he seeks assistance, of a younger man toward an older man. Her basis
is a fitting view of deficiency, inferiority, or deference—no she is not
prideful and arrogant about her appearance. The word is a blend of modesty with
humility, a healthy sense of shame and disgrace that does not require
validation, confirming flattery, or feedback from others.
o A
woman who possesses this quality is ashamed to go beyond the bounds of what is
decent, respectful, appropriate, and proper. It is the opposite of displaying her
bodily charms or physical allures to garner attention or to secure interest. She
carefully avoids a striking appearance or a shocking jaw dropping flirtatious unbelievable
presence.
o She stirs clear of whatever would cause her to have a shameful look. Instead, she is rather unnoticeable, unremarkable, and discreet.
o “Sobriety” Means “Having A Sound Mind and Good
Sense.”
o It
describes an inner self-control—a spiritual “radar” that tells a person what is
good and proper.
§ “Sobriety” speaks of the entire command of the
passions and desires, a self-control that holds the reins over intense desires
or cravings.
§ The
“fruit of the Spirit” is “temperance,” “self-control,” the virtue of one who masters her
desires and passions, especially her sensual appetites.
§ The Christian is not a robot and is expected by God to exercise self-control by a free act of his will, doing this however in the energy which the Holy Spirit supplies to the yielded Christian. It is a happy combination and interworking of the free will of the believer and the grace of God.
o Sobriety says that a woman will be moderate in
her dress.
§ On
the one hand, she will not seek to attract attention to herself by expensive,
conspicuous fashions. These might tend to provoke admiration or even jealousy
from those who should be worshiping God.
§ On the other hand, she should avoid attracting attention to herself by wearing clothes that are drab or old-fashioned. The Scriptures seem to teach a moderate, middle-of-the-road policy regarding clothing.
o Women's standard for dress was to be characterized by godly character. Paul's appeal here was to good taste and good sense within the culture.
3. An
Instruction to Place Priority on Character and Not Cosmetics.
Women believers were to “dress” their behavior in a manner that complemented rather than clashed with their character.
o Ephesus
Was a Wealthy Commercial City, And Some Women There Competed Against Each Other
for Attention and Popularity.
o In
that day expensive hairdos arrayed with costly jewelry were an accepted way to
get to the top socially.
o However,
women who worshiped in the Christian churches should not be given to
ostentation, costly attire, and excessive adornment.
o Neither was seductive or sexually suggestive clothing appropriate. They were not to detract from the worship of God by drawing attention to themselves.
o This
Is the Specific Practices That Were Causing Distraction and Discord in the
Church.
o Women
in the first century often wove “gold, or
pearls,” or other jewelry into their hair styles (“braided hair”) to call attention to
themselves and their wealth or beauty.
o The
same was true of those women who wore “costly
array” (expensive clothing). By doing so they would draw
attention to themselves and away from the Lord, likely causing the poorer women
to be envious.
o Paul’s point was to forbid the preoccupation of certain women with flaunting their wealth and distracting people from worshiping the Lord.
o Paul
Admonished the Christian Women to Major on the “Inner Person,” the True Beauty
That Only Christ Can Give.
o Focusing
solely on a woman's physical appearance can lead to superficial connections and
blind spots regarding her true character. True
attraction requires building a bond that extends far beyond the surface.
o Paul
did not forbid the use of nice clothing or ornaments completely. He urged
balance and propriety, with the emphasis on modesty and holy character. The
women in the Ephesian congregation were to show their holy attitudes with a
modest outward appearance. Paul emphasized that their internal character was
far more important than their outward adornment.
o A carefully groomed and well-decorated exterior is artificial and cold without inner beauty. Scripture does not prohibit a woman from wanting to be attractive. Beauty, however, begins inside a person. A gentle, modest, loving character gives a light to the face that cannot be duplicated by the best cosmetics and jewelry in the world.
o “It’s
Getting Harder and Harder for A Christian Woman to Find the Right Kind of
Clothes!” A church member complained one summer, “I refuse to wear the kind
of swimsuits they’re selling! I simply won’t go swimming. Whatever happened to
old-fashioned modesty?” Today’s women are being ‘played’ and CHURCH CULTURE is being influenced negatively! It is horrendous and unbelievable what people will wear to church anymore! The love
for fast fashion, cosmetics, feminism, materialism, entitlement, freedom,
and a general immaturity among young women renders the average person unworthy
of marriage, motherhood, planning a future with, or any serious relationship. The
average woman in our culture is almost a complete liability to a God-centered man in most
respects, and in many cases she is not even interested in learning how to become a good
profitable wife. She would rather pretend by selling her body (prostitution)
or ‘tricks’, to make it appear she is financially thriving but is instead moneyless
and ‘dry begging’ in the ‘streets’ and on social media. In a grasp for her ‘success,’
the worst of men (smooth talkers and flatterers) manipulate and use these delusional
women! This behavior persists over years until the average woman is riddled
with sexually transmitted infections and diseases, and promiscuously abused (used,
forced, coerced, overpowered, or vulnerable). Finally, she is used up, ‘ran
through,’ emotionally hardened—bitter, assumes a weird type of awkward masculinity
(quirky off beat energy), too old now for any serious consideration, and still she
remains fundamentally ignorant of what is really happening. Meanwhile industries
surrounding female aesthetics, education, professionalism, politics, and
equality will continue to profit and thrive off fast or easy female money—in the
name of promise, equality, independence, and self-sufficiency! It is a
grand scheme of fantastic manipulation built on her platform of victimhood!
Contemporary women need to awaken to the reality that the only real hope is
Jesus Christ for salvation and a promising future in Him beyond this world. Many
women will sadly ignore this path navigating to their own destruction as a
replacement for godly womanhood while still in ‘survival mood.’
[1] J. Vernon
McGee, Thru the Bible
Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 5 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
1997), 438.
[2] J. Vernon
McGee, Thru the Bible
Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 5 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
1997), 439.
[3] Kenneth S.
Wuest, Wuest’s Word
Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader,
vol. 7 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 45–46.
[4] A. Duane
Litfin, “1 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,
ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985),
735.
