Bible Question Box 1 Timothy 2:9-10

2 Question Concerning Bible Authority “I have heard it preached (rightly so) about a woman’s duty to learn in quietness & full submission and not to teach or have authority over a man (1 Tim. 2:11-12).

3 Question Concerning Bible Authority “The preceding verses (1 Tim. 2:9-10) concerning decency & propriety, seem just as specific about braided hair, gold & pearls. They seem to be in the same context of appropriate worship so what is the difference in these instructions? Why are the verses treated differently?”

4 Text in Context: 1 Tim. 2:8-12 This passage does not exclude women from praying, but it defines the sphere of duty (roles) for both men and womenThis passage does not exclude women from praying, but it defines the sphere of duty (roles) for both men and women This passage does not exclude all braided hair & jewelry, but it defines the parameters & attitudes of these thingsThis passage does not exclude all braided hair & jewelry, but it defines the parameters & attitudes of these things

5 Men: Lead in Worship, 1 Tim. 2:8 Pray everywhere, 2:8Pray everywhere, 2:8 Doesn’t prohibit women from ever praying, but excludes her from leading public prayer (2:11-12, cf. 1 Cor. 11:3-6, 10)Doesn’t prohibit women from ever praying, but excludes her from leading public prayer (2:11-12, cf. 1 Cor. 11:3-6, 10) Lift up holy hands (Jno. 9:31; 1 Pet. 3:12)Lift up holy hands (Jno. 9:31; 1 Pet. 3:12) Without wrath & disputing (Jas. 1:20)Without wrath & disputing (Jas. 1:20)

6 Women: Learn in Quiet Submission 1 Tim. 2:9-12 Reflected in clothing and conductReflected in clothing and conduct Adorn (kosmeo): “To put in order, arrange”Adorn (kosmeo): “To put in order, arrange” Modest (kosmios): “Orderly, decent” (good behavior, 1 Tim. 3:2)Modest (kosmios): “Orderly, decent” (good behavior, 1 Tim. 3:2) Respectably; Counterpoint to gaudy excessRespectably; Counterpoint to gaudy excess First century use included revealing clothingFirst century use included revealing clothing

7 Women: Learn in Quiet Submission 1 Tim. 2:9-12 Shamefastness (aidos): “A sense of shame”Shamefastness (aidos): “A sense of shame” Modesty that is “rooted fast” in the characterModesty that is “rooted fast” in the character Opposite of promiscuous (Jer. 8:12)Opposite of promiscuous (Jer. 8:12) Sobriety (sophrosune): “Soundness of mind” Self-control, 1 Tim. 2:15Sobriety (sophrosune): “Soundness of mind” Self-control, 1 Tim. 2:15 Inner self-government that reins in passionsInner self-government that reins in passions

8 Women Profession Godliness 1 Tim. 2:9-10 Clothing indicates attitudes, character and/or circumstances, Prov. 7:10; Gen. 38:14-15Clothing indicates attitudes, character and/or circumstances, Prov. 7:10; Gen. 38:14-15 “A woman’s dress is a mirror of her mind” Prv. 4:23“A woman’s dress is a mirror of her mind” Prv. 4:23 Attire indicates attitude of what is professed:Attire indicates attitude of what is professed: Extravagant, vain display of clothing that allures (“catches the eye”) does not show “shamefastness” & “sobriety” (Rev. 17:1, 4)Extravagant, vain display of clothing that allures (“catches the eye”) does not show “shamefastness” & “sobriety” (Rev. 17:1, 4)

9 Women Profession Godliness 1 Tim. 2:9-10 Fundamental issue: (Internal) modesty is reflected by our (external) clothing, 1 Pet. 3:1-6Fundamental issue: (Internal) modesty is reflected by our (external) clothing, 1 Pet. 3:1-6 Issue of the heart:Issue of the heart: Clothing governed by internal qualities of godlinessClothing governed by internal qualities of godliness Christian’s clothing is to always show the godliness we profess (2:10)Christian’s clothing is to always show the godliness we profess (2:10) This is NOT the world’s standard for choosing clothingThis is NOT the world’s standard for choosing clothing

10 God Does Not Condemn All Jewelry & All Attention to Personal Appearance 1 Timothy 2:9-10 “Not…but”“Not…but” Sometimes exclusionary, Jno. 12:6Sometimes exclusionary, Jno. 12:6 Sometimes emphatic, Jno. 12:9Sometimes emphatic, Jno. 12:9 Used to contrast two thingsUsed to contrast two things Not to exclude either, but to emphasize one over the other (as the preferred priority)Not to exclude either, but to emphasize one over the other (as the preferred priority)

11 “Not…but” John 6:27: Work not for food that perishes, but for food that endures to everlasting lifeJohn 6:27: Work not for food that perishes, but for food that endures to everlasting life It is a sin to work for food?It is a sin to work for food? No, 2 Ths. 3:10No, 2 Ths. 3:10 Emphasis is on “bread of (eternal) life,” not on the bread of temporal lifeEmphasis is on “bread of (eternal) life,” not on the bread of temporal life

12 “Not…but” 1 Cor. 1:17: Not to baptize…but to preach1 Cor. 1:17: Not to baptize…but to preach Was it a sin for Paul to baptize anyone?Was it a sin for Paul to baptize anyone? No, 1:14-15 (Matt. 28:19)No, 1:14-15 (Matt. 28:19) Emphasis is on the preaching of the gospel, not on who performed baptismsEmphasis is on the preaching of the gospel, not on who performed baptisms

13 “Not…but” 1 Pet. 3:3-4: Not (merely) outward…but (rather) inward1 Pet. 3:3-4: Not (merely) outward…but (rather) inward If Peter is commanding no arranging of hair & wearing jewelry, then he is also commanding no putting on of apparel!If Peter is commanding no arranging of hair & wearing jewelry, then he is also commanding no putting on of apparel! Emphasis is on the heartEmphasis is on the heart

14 “Not…but” 1 Tim. 2:9-10: Not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness…good works1 Tim. 2:9-10: Not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness…good works Braided hair, gold, pearls & costly clothing here illustrate an absence of shamefastness & sobrietyBraided hair, gold, pearls & costly clothing here illustrate an absence of shamefastness & sobriety Those who profess godliness emphasize good works & not attire that shows a lack of modestyThose who profess godliness emphasize good works & not attire that shows a lack of modesty

15 God Beatified Jerusalem Ezek. 16:1-18 God adorned Jerusalem for beauty, but she “trusted in her beauty” & turned to harlotryGod adorned Jerusalem for beauty, but she “trusted in her beauty” & turned to harlotry Blanket condemnation of jewelry & embroidered garments condemns God (16:10-14)Blanket condemnation of jewelry & embroidered garments condemns God (16:10-14) God did not sin in beautifying JerusalemGod did not sin in beautifying Jerusalem God did not use sinful things to illustrate His splendor He bestowed on Jerusalem (16:14)God did not use sinful things to illustrate His splendor He bestowed on Jerusalem (16:14) Jerusalem proudly “trusted in (her) own beauty,” 16:15-18Jerusalem proudly “trusted in (her) own beauty,” 16:15-18

16 Jewelry, as such, is not Sinful Gifts for Rebekah, Gen. 24:22, 47, 53Gifts for Rebekah, Gen. 24:22, 47, 53 God did not command sin, Exo. 3:22God did not command sin, Exo. 3:22 Adornment of bridegroom & bride illustrate Zion’s salvation & righteousness, Isa. 61:10Adornment of bridegroom & bride illustrate Zion’s salvation & righteousness, Isa. 61:10 Solomon’s glorious array, Matt. 6:28-29Solomon’s glorious array, Matt. 6:28-29

17 “Women adorn themselves in modest apparel” (1 Tim. 2:9-10) Under dressing is immodestUnder dressing is immodest Overdressing is immodest, Isa. 3:16-24Overdressing is immodest, Isa. 3:16-24 Jewelry & hair styling is not wrong, but wrong attitudes of heart will cause wrong conduct in these thingsJewelry & hair styling is not wrong, but wrong attitudes of heart will cause wrong conduct in these things Christians avoid all immodest extremesChristians avoid all immodest extremes