What comes to mind when you read the following statements?

  • Women should be quiet.
  • Women must submit.
  • Women can’t teach the Bible.
  • Eve was fooled, not Adam.
  • Women should have babies.

Pretty provocative ideas, don’t you think?  But the paragraph we know as 1 Timothy 2:9-15, was written 2000 years ago and thousands of miles from here.  And although it may seem archaic and even inflammatory to us now, the actual truths Paul outlined are timeless and just as relevant as ever.

So what on earth was Paul trying to say, and why should any of us care?  I’ll try to answer that question by highlighting six key takeaways about women’s work:

Godly women adorn themselves with good works.

In the previous post What Not to Wear, I deal with the issue of wardrobe more specifically.  But very simply, any attention we draw should be rooted in the good works that overflows from a righteous character.  Paul never condemned a woman looking her best, but he did encourage her appearance to promote godliness.  Read 1 Timothy 2:9-10.

Godly women grow in the faith.

Paul encouraged women to “quietly receive instruction”—1 Timothy 2:11. In that era women typically did not have a seat at the table. The New Testament church changed all of that.  Women have a responsibility to learn, grow, and extend themselves as faithful followers of Christ.

Godly women honor authority.

Paul kept writing, “But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet”—1 Timothy 2:12.

Paul never silenced women.  Instead, he encouraged women to honor men as they exercised their gifts, calling, and responsibility to shepherd the church family.  We can learn much about following Jesus from women in the Bible and from women in our own lives.  But the primary teaching role in the church is reserved for the men called out to lead the congregation.

Godly women preserve the divine design.

The New Testament church was a powerful force in the first century because of a radical commitment to biblical faith.  One example is Paul’s words, “For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve”—1 Timothy 2:13.  That statement was just as counter-culture back then as it seems today.

But Paul was simply returning to God’s divine design.  God created Adam first, gave him instructions, and responsibilities.  And then God created Eve to complete Adam.  Adam needed Eve, and together they were meant to accomplish God’s will.

Godly women acknowledge needs.

As spiritually minded as many Christian women are, everyone needs help.  Girl power has limits.  So Paul boldly reminded his readers, “And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression”—1 Timothy 2:14.

Wow!  That’s even painful to type.  But Paul was not rubbing failure in anyone’s face.  He was, however, pointing out gaps.  When we read Genesis 3, we see failure everywhere.  Adam was passive.  Eve was vulnerable.  And tragic results followed.

That’s still the way of failure.  Passive men who leave their wives open to attack torpedo the future of the family and of the church.  And ladies who operate independently do no one any favors.

Godly women focus on the family.

I know it’s old school, but we still need women to produce children.  After the fall, that became more painful than it would have been, but there is still great dignity in bearing children and rearing a godly legacy.

Paul said, “But women shall be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-respect”—1 Timothy 2:15.

Did Paul expect women to stay home barefoot and pregnant?  Never.  Women throughout the Bible and in the modern era have made incredible contributions in the culture and in the church.  But testosterone simply does not wear well on women.  Men and women were made differently, and when we function according to our unique roles and responsibilities everyone wins.

The Finish

Why should any of this matter?

Here it is: When we follow the unisex whims of our culture, men and women lose their way, marriages turn upside down, kids contract spiritual dyslexia, and the church loses the ability to proclaim the Gospel with power.

I’d love feedback from ladies on this issue.  Please comment below.