"In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becomes women professing godliness) through good works." (1 Tim 2:9-10)
The Lord Jesus commands obedience in behavior for those who have sound doctrine. We manifest with life conduct the reality of our confession. God’s gospel is to be PREACHED, and the preaching produces good works as the test of God (1 Tim 1:5).
Paul, being ordained an apostle, sets forth doctrine in faith and truth. He knows that he’s called of God, so he speaks the honor of Jesus Christ in confidence sincerely. He declares that men are to pray everywhere, all over the world, out of every nation, but they are to pray a certain way; not in wrath and hate, but in love to Christ and my neighbor. Go to Christ for the power to love your neighbor before multiplying your prayer list, and He will hear you, pardon you, and give you love, so that He can hear your prayer - “whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing” (vs7-8).
Our ladies, no matter what others say, distinguish yourself by your behavior and not your fashion and wardrobe. People draw attention to themselves in wicked ways, and one way is for a woman to play the whore in her attire, to draw attention to herself sinfully and away from Christ. Let the ladies adorn themselves in “shamefacedness” or that meek and lowly mind state of, “I’ve obtained mercy. I’m nobody. Look at Him”. 1 Tim 2:9-10 says, “- “In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becomes women professing godliness) through good works“.
The women are to be quiet in the public worship, never teaching the men. It isn’t because you’re less than holy or accepted, but in the order of All-Wise God, He made Adam first, and the woman was first in transgression - “Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. For Adam was first formed, then Eve; and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled has fallen into transgression” (vs11-14). But, even though submission can be difficult and you bear the curse of Eve’s sin, you will be saved to suffer no more, so long as you trust Christ amidst your tears and live obediently. He will reward you, bring you to heaven, and there will be no more male or female forever - “but she shall be saved through her child–bearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety” (vs15).
Let pastors be desirous of the job. Don’t be forced into it half-heartedly, but if you can do nothing else and desire to preach Christ for His glory, then check to see if you qualify. You’re to be blameless, meeting all requirements of scripture. Not a polygamist, but the husband of one wife only. Not a brawler or covetous, not a man after gain in the pulpit, but SOMEONE who preaches Christ as a thankful response to unlimited mercies in God. You are not after your name, and you rule in your own home with saving grace directing your authority. You are kind, firm, and you show by example what you want the wife and children to practice. You have God’s gift to teach, but here in 1 Tim 3, the main thing is the character. Our message is declared in 1 Tim 1, but the messenger bears the message as one that has obtained its mercy, not merely as one who’s head is big - (1 Tim 3:1-7) “Faithful is the saying, If a man seeks the office of a bishop, he desires a good work. The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober–minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money; one that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (but if a man knows not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
Beware that deacons aren’t in it for gain. They should serve the church in thankfulness of blood redemption, mercies received, and the sureness of covenant promises. They must serve from a clean conscience, doing God’s will from their heart for the good of others, rather than to impress, make names for themselves, etc. Let the CHARACTER, not the personality (big smiles and charm) dictate who is honored with Christian offices. Don’t trust mere talent or schooling. No where does Paul demand seminary or university. These things are not needed, so long as character is abundant. Good works evidence the call of God, for whom He calls to serve, He makes them do it from the heart in newness of life - “Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double–tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless. … Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus“ (vs8-10, 12-13).
I believe 1 Tim 3:11 deals with deaconesses, or those women ordained of God with deacon gifts. They are not to teach, but perhaps like Phoebe, they have been gifted to serve, help the church, etc (Rom 16:1-2). Maybe they deal specifically with the ladies or the care of the young, but they have the same requirements as men. They must carry themselves respectfully, submissively to God, and they must show by their behavior that they are real by their deeds - “Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things“ (vs11).
Don’t let good works be lacking. See here how everything is judged by works? The women are to PROVE their doctrine by submission. The men PROVE it and their prayers are heard only as they are unwrathful and believing. The pastor isn’t the most eloquent or educated man, but he has God-given character which is infinitely more valuable than degrees at college. And, the deacons have the same character of the pastor, except they don’t teach.
Blessed is the church that evidences by behavior the end of the gospel or the purpose behind preaching, which is to enable people to serve God in the forgiveness of sins, free from bondage, and helped by God to live uprightly according to Him.
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