Page 31 - Pastoral Epistles I & 2 Timothy, Titus

I Timothy 2 – A Call or Order

Connect…

There is a lot of controversy today over the role of women in the church. Roman Catholics, Southern Baptists,
Mormons, and the Orthodox Church in America do not allow women to be ordained as preachers nor allow them
to lead congregations. On the other hand, the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church, Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, United Methodist Church, and Presbyterian Church USA do ordain women into
leadership roles to become pastors of their churches. The same denominations that espouse women pastors
most always endorse same-sex marriage. So obviously, their theology is not based on a strict interpretation of
God’s Word in either situation.

Is it OK for a woman to teach a Sunday School class of couples that includes both men and women? Can a
woman teach only other women, or can they teach both men and women? And if they can, what is the
difference between preaching a sermon and teaching a lesson or Bible study?

Let’s see what the apostle Paul has to say about this controversy! Let’s dig in….

The Lesson ...

A Call to Order

1 Timothy 2:8-15.

8 Therefore, I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or
disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning
themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with
good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach
or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a
sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love, and
holiness with propriety.

Summarize what Paul is saying about how women should dress for church.

 Paul was not saying that women should not care how they look, nor take the time to look attractive – but Paul
was saying that women should not be drawing attention to themselves because of how they dress.
The way we conduct ourselves both inside and outside of the church will affect our testimony (both men and
women). Once we identify ourselves as followers of Jesus, people begin watching. And for many people, their
ideas about Jesus will be greatly influenced by what they see in our lives.
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