A Woman After God’s Heart
“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. But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” I Timothy 2:9-10
This passage in I Timothy is probably one of the most controversial passages in scripture among folks. Paul had just stated “that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or doubting” (v.8). Folks think that Paul’s message to believing women was strict, but his message to men was also very demanding. Paul desired for all men to raise their hands toward heaven as they prayed to God having a pure heart, free of sin, anger, and doubting. Thus, men were not “off the hook” when it came to presenting themselves as holy and righteous believers.
Paul focused his attention on women believers concerning the way they should dress and act. Why would he do that? Probably because women are more concerned about appearance than men, generally speaking. A woman who is a follower of Christ should dress as a reflection of His purity and righteousness, that is, dress to put the emphasis on Him and not to draw attention to themselves by outlandish hairdos, excessive jewelry and/or makeup, or expensive designer clothes. There is nothing wrong with trying to look one’s best. I don’t think Paul meant for a woman to dress like a frumpy old hag. Attending church like that would be just as distracting as wearing a cocktail dress. Well, almost as distracting. One who has become a child of God should look like a person filled with joy and not one who goes around with a long face and dresses as one who is miserable and uncaring. It is really all about the condition of the heart. If you are happy, and you know it…..
In addition to dressing modestly, the Christian woman should possess moral integrity and self-control in all that she thinks, says, and does for she is a child of the King and must reflect her position in Christ. If Christians, both men and women, follow the pattern as set by Christ, appropriate dress, moderation in food consumption, the words that one speaks, putting others ahead of themselves, and loving God and others as themselves, then others will be more likely to be affected in a good way by their witness. People are attracted to people who are real, not those who are phony know-it-alls or who do not practice what they preach.
Many people who are not followers of Christ see Him as a good “Man”, not selfish or self-centered, but One who went about doing good and not concerned about His own welfare. I remember a song of several years ago by Ray Stevens entitled “Would Jesus Wear a Rolex on His Television Show?” The song was a humorous rebuke of churches who preach a prosperity gospel which is exactly opposite of how the gospel is to be presented. The gospel is not about riches, fancy clothes, earthly mansions, luxury automobiles, expensive jewelry, or, as Paul said, costly array. I suppose we could sum up the way for Christian women, and men, as well, to dress is to dress to represent the true gospel of Christ, a self-sacrificing and giving lifestyle. Along with how a Christian woman presents her physical self as a woman of God, she should also be known for her good works. Folks might not remember what you say to them, but they usually will remember those good deeds you do for them.
If you thought the above was controversial among today’s folks, then listen to what else Paul wrote: “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer (allow) not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence”. There is a tradition among folks that tries to explain Paul’s admonition. It goes like this. In ancient times, women sat in a separate area of the church, likely in the back or the balcony, if they had one. They couldn’t hear everything that was said, so they would yell at their husbands sitting down front to enquire as to the message. This caused quite a commotion, thus the reason for Paul’s statement. I think that this could have been a way to “explain away” things of which some don’t agree. In other words, they assume it was this commotion in the church, and not God’s prerogative to order things the way that He chooses.
The actual reason for Paul’s statement has to do with God’s authority, not the ability of women. God does not allow for a woman to have authority over men. Genesis 2:21-25 clearly states that Adam was first created, and then Eve was created from Adam. She was not created inferior to man, but as a helper, supporter, and companion, who has a separate role from him, but also is dependent upon him. I Corinthians 11:8-9 tells us that the woman was created specifically for the man, not the other way around. This is the way that God set it up to be, and it works as long as people don’t rebel against it, as with all other things that God ordained. Eve was the one whom the devil deceived in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-6). Up until that time, Adam and Eve had it “made in the shade”. The devil, disguised as a serpent, deceived Eve, enticing her to eat of the forbidden fruit. She displayed her vulnerability in allowing a lie to cause her to sin, thereby being the first to transgress the law of God through an act of her free will. Her thoughtless act influenced Adam to sin as well. They lost their beautiful home because of disobedience to God.
Not only did they have to leave their paradise home, but there were other hardships they would face. Eve would be allowed to bear children, but not without pain. She would have to be submissive to Adam, and he would rule over her (Genesis 3:16). This may indicate that before they sinned, she and Adam had more of an equal relationship, but her sin caused her to have to step back into a more submissive role to her husband. Adam suffered as well losing the life of relative ease and becoming a slave to nature, a world outside the bounds of God’s favor. Theirs was, indeed, a hard lesson to learn.
To accept the plan that God ordained for the family, a wife must be submissive to her husband, but her husband is to love her as Christ loved the church. Both are to be submissive to Him (Ephesians 5:21-31). A three-stranded cord is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).