Roles in Church (Part 2)

1 Timothy 2:9-15

Everyone should be in church. Men, women, and children should be active in church. But not everyone will be active in the same ways.

Paul continues his teaching on church meetings with instruction for women in church.

Women, be an Example of Christian Character

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;” 
1 Timothy 2:9

This is the instruction to women while in church meetings. The “Church Service” or “Worship Time.” How each person takes their place in church meetings communicates to others their willingness to follow God’s way in worship.

Women are to be examples in:

1. Appropriateness 

Verse nine could be summed up with the the word “appropriateness.”

Clothing

The ideas of the greek words behind “adorn” and “modest” are more about order and appropriateness than modesty. We often use the word “modest” meaning the opposite of “immodest”. And that thought would be included in this, but the main point of the verse is to wear things are fitting for church meetings.

Sure! There’s a place for hiking clothes. But is that place at a church meeting? Usually not. Paul seems to be making the point that even the fanciest outfits might not be the best fit for church meetings.

Women can and should be a vital example of appropriateness to the church and the world outside the church.

Persona

How a woman carries herself is part of this appropriateness. “Shamefacedness and sobriety” aren’t used here to mean that a women is an underling, or that she can’t smile in church. 

The woman Paul has in mind will be conscious of how her persona, the way she acts and lives reflect on her, her church, and most importantly her Savior. 

2. Good works

“But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
1 Timothy 2:10

At some point do a Bible search for the phrase “good works.”

You’ll find that: God created us “unto good works” (Eph 2:10), Paul prayed that the church at Colossi would be “fruitful in every good work” (Col 1:10), that we are to look for ways to encourage our fellow believers to “good works” (Heb 10:24), along with many other things.

In this passage we see Paul simply encouraging women to be an example of good works. These good works will be becoming. Though you shouldn’t flaunt them, others will see them.

 Some of the greatest lessons I’ve learned about service are from the women God has placed in my life. The grace and joy they show as they serve God, are very pleasing to Him. These good works also reflect well on these wonderful women.

3. Submission

“11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”
1 Timothy 2:11–15

The word “subjection” is from a word family meaning to rank under. This is often seen in military contexts, one person submits to the orders of another, not because he or she is less intelligent or capable, but because they are of a different rank.

Again, in a church meeting context this means two things: the women are to learn in silence, and to submit to the authority of church leaders. Paul also gives a couple reasons for this.

Learning Quietly

The greek word has a broader meaning that “silence” as we usually think of it (absence of noise). You could also think of this as “active listening.” To maintain order women are to learn quietly.

Submitting

Women aren’t to teach men, or to usurp authority over men. This is a demonstration of order not as a value indicator of women.

There are times in my church where women speak in church meetings, this isn’t a usurpation of authority, they are acting under the authority of our pastor (as are all the men that speak in church).

Reasons

Paul gives to main reasons for this order: Adam was created before Eve (v.13), and Eve was deceived by the serpent and Adam wasn’t (v.14). 

You are An Example!

So much more could be said about this passage but I don’t want to lose our main point, a point that Paul brings the conversation back to in the last verse of this chapter.

“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”
1 Timothy 2:15

Women, you are an example. You teach through how you live. You change the world by how you care for the youngest and most impressionable of us. Many times women work in children’s ministries in churches, don’t ever view this as a second-rate job. The future of the spread of the Gospel is sitting in those nurseries and classrooms.

Your Turn

I recommend doing word studies in this passage. Pray through how to apply it.

Consider what kind of an example your Appropriateness, Good works, and Submission are to those around you.

Seek out an older woman to give you counsel and instruction as you apply these truths (Titus 2:3-5).