1 Timothy 2:9-15
Q.1. What instruction did Paul give to women? Where should a woman’s focus be? – (1 Tim.2:9-10)
Some people have applied these guidelines as a set of rules for how we should conform on the outside. The opposite is what Paul intended us to understand, namely – but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness (1 Tim.2:10 c.f. 1 Pet.3:1-6). This is a challenge to pursue inner beauty and godliness. The guiding principle is for women to have Godly character, which is modest, pure, and discreet
Q.2. What attitude should a woman cultivate in the church and in the home? – (1 Tim.2:11-12 & 15)
This is not a popular instruction for modern society. However, it reinforces the authority structure and roles that God instituted from the beginning – 3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ … 11 However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God (c.f. 1 Cor.11:3, 11-12). No amount of opinion or legislation can change God’s intention for the operation of the genders. When we tamper with God’s order, it will result in disorder. The woman is not to instruct, but rather to be instructed – with entire submissiveness (1 Tim.2:11). The woman alone has been created to bear children. A woman committed to building a stable home environment will be greatly honoured (1 Tim.2:15 c.f. Prov.31:1—31).
Q.3. What limits should a woman observe in the public ministry of the church? How do we know that the restrictions were not just cultural? – (1 Tim.2:12-14)
The instruction forbidding – … a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet (1 Tim.2:12) is largely ignored today. This has brought about the weakening of the church, which is always the outcome when disregarding Biblical principles (c.f. 1 Cor.11:30). This is not a prohibition for a woman to speak publicly on occasions, or to exercise authority within a leadership agreement. It does forbid a permanent teaching and leading role over the men of the church [The Greek is in the present continuous tense and so means – ‘to continue to teach’ and to ‘continue to exercise authority’]. On the surface, such a restriction may seem unwarranted. However, Christ, Who is Head, knows how best to keep His church strong. The arguments used are greater than just the culture of the day. They relate back to the order of Creation, and God’s original purpose. As recorded – 13 it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression (1 Tim.2:13-14 c.f. Gen.2:7, 21-23; 3:1-6).