The role of Women in church…  (3 points)

• VERY controversial instructions…
  • Having given the first 3 lessons – the Word / Grace / and Prayer…
    • Paul now spend the rest of chapter 2 and all of chapter 3 on ROLES in the church…
    • He begins by giving instructions about the ROLE of women in the church… 
    • These last 7 verses of I Timothy 2 – are some of the most controversial in the Bible!
  • 1^st – There are two views about whom Paul is talking about…
    • The first view is that Paul is talking about the ROLE of women in marriage…
    • The word women – gyne – here can mean either a single woman or married woman…
    • Paul opens by saying – in like manner – tying this verse to the ones before…
    • Where he talked about men – aner – so some believe he is talking about marriage!
    • Therefore – the instruction Paul gives here is only dealing with marriage!
  • 2^nd – The second view is that Paul is talking about the ROLE of women in the church…
    • The problem is marriage is not mentioned once in the whole book of I Timothy…
    • The whole book of I Timothy is written to give instructions about the church!
    • It seems to make more sense that Paul is giving instructions to men AND women…
    • In the context of how they should serve and act while they are in CHURCH!

• 1^st – Clothed in Godliness… vs. 9-10 (5 points)
  • 1^st – Women adorn – kosmeo – themselves (when they come to church) … vs. 9
    • It might be good to look at these verses in an alternate translation (NLT)
    • I Timothy 2:9 – “I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes.”
    • There is nothing wrong with a woman getting dressed up – Paul is encouraging it!
    • There is no problem with makeup – women should desire to be beautiful in church!
  • 2^nd – In modest apparel… vs. 9
    • Modest – 2x in NT – the word can also be translated as good behavior – I Timothy 3:2
      • Apparel – only here NT – a word that means to let down – picture of a long dress…
      • Women should not wear seductive outfits – clothing that shows off their curves…
      • When women were suggestive clothing – it can be a HUGE stumbling block to men!
    • Most women do not realize the effect their clothes have on men…
      • Because women are not stumbled in the same way men are…
      • You never see women looking at posters of men in bathing suites!
      • But tight clinging clothes / low hanging blouses / very short skirts
      • These things will quickly distract a man – they do not inspire him think about the Lord!
      • Men understand this – they realize how distracting the wrong outfit can be!
  • 3^rd – With propriety and moderation… vs. 9
    • Propriety (decent) – 2x in NT – can also be translated as reverent – Hebrews 12:28
      • Moderation (appropriate) – 3x in NT – can be translated as self-control – I Timothy 2:15
      • The thought is women are to come into church dressing respectfully…
      • Displaying self-control in their clothing – so as not to draw attention to themselves!
    • Someone women might argue – tell the men not to look…
      • I Corinthians 8:9 – “Beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.”
      • Women are to be sensitive to the weaknesses of men – protecting their eyes…
      • Careful not to stumble their brother – just because they want to wear a certain outfit…
      • Women are not to wear clothes that are designed to get the attention of men…
      • Women – especially in church – need to learn to protect their brothers!
  • 4^th – What NOT to wear… vs. 9
    • Paul lists 3 things Women are not to WEAR…
      • Braided hair – only here NT – we might say fancy hair styles…
      • Gold – things made from Gold – or Pearls – we might say fancy jewelry…
      • Costly clothing – literally expensive clothes – we might say brand names…
      • Now does this mean women have to come to church with no hair due / no makeup…
      • Not wearing ANY jewelry – and ONLY generic cheap and unstylish clothing!
      • NO – it is a comparison – do NOT come to show off externally…
      • Church should NOT be a fashion show – drawing attention to ourselves!
      • Church should be a place where we come to focus on Jesus!
    • Many women (and men) focus COMPLETELY on external beauty…
      • They judge their beauty based on clothing – hair / jewelry / nails / ect…
      • They think these are what make a person beautiful – they could not be more wrong!
      • Someone might have the best clothes – hair – makeup – and all the accessories…
      • But if they are mean and sinful – there is no beauty – just the opposite!
      • Yet someone can be very homely – but if they are full of Jesus – beautiful!
    • Those who live for outward beauty – are in for a VERY painful surprise…
      • Those who spend LOTS of money trying to hold on to the beauty of their youth…
      • Who buy beauty products / spend HOURS in front of the mirror / surgery…
      • It does not last – not matter how much they try – they GET OLD…
      • And if they got their man because of how they dressed / outward beauty…
      • They will likely lose their man – when age causes that beauty to go away!
  • 5^th – Which is proper for women professing godliness… vs. 10
    • Proper – to stand out – we might say the defining characteristic…
      • Professing – meaning to promise or to announce – those who say they are…
      • Godliness – only here NT – to be a worshiper of God…
      • The defining characteristic of a woman who promises to be a worshiper of God…
      • Should NOT be her outward appearance – BUT instead GOOD WORKS!
      • GOOD – agathos – CONSCIENCE – speaking of an inwardly moral character!
    • It is not about the clothing – it has to do with the heart…
      • Women are to be known by the GOOD that is inside of them – their Godly character!
      • I Peter 3:3-4 – “Do not be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within…”
      • Not that there is anything wrong with a woman being pretty…
      • But women should not focus on ONLY making the outside pretty…
      • Instead put on good works – the inner beauty comes from knowing Jesus Christ!
    • Do NOT to draw attention to ourselves…
      • Even if a woman is dressed modestly – they can act VERY flirtatious…
      • Trying to draw the attention of others to them by their actions!
      • Women in church should not be drawing attention to themselves…
      • Instead they should be pointing others to Jesus Christ!

• 2^nd – Known for humility… vs. 11-12 (3 points)
  • 1^st – Let a woman learn in silence… vs. 11
    • This is a statement that has caused a GREAT deal of controversy…
      • Learn – imperative – first note that Paul commands the women to learn…
      • This is not a restriction – but a COMMAND for women to be growing in Jesus!
      • Ladies – get into the word – Study and grow in your relationship with the Lord!
      • II Timothy 2:15 – “Study to shew yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
    • In SLIENCE – this is the controversial word
      • SLIENCE – 4x in NT – also can be translated as not being disruptive…
      • This does NOT mean women cannot talk in church – just do not be disruptive in church!
      • In Corinth – men and women were seated on opposite sides of the church…
      • Apparently – some of the women did not understand the teaching…
      • They would ask their husbands in the middle of the service to explain it…
      • Women calling out across the church – the end result was very disruptive!
    • They were to hold their questions till after the service – then ask their husbands!
      • There is good wisdom in this – it encourages women to stir up their husbands…
      • If a wife has a question – she could ask a pastor – but better to ask her husband…
      • Because even if he does not know – he will dig into the Word and learn!
  • 2^nd – With all submission… vs. 11
    • Submission – noun form of the verb – to be under the authority of another…
    • When women come to church – they are to submit…
    • Not that women have to submit to ALL men – ONLY to their husbands – Ephesians 5:22
    • Here in context – women are to submit to the LEADERSHIP of the church…
    • Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God…”
    • Pastors are given authority in church so they can watch over and protect the people…
    • Women are also to submit to the authority of the pastor – as ALSO are the men of the church!
      
  • 3^rd – Roles in the church… vs. 12
    • I do NOT permit a woman to TEACH or have AUTHORITY…
      • TEACH – didaskō – 97x in NT – in context speaking of teaching the Word of God…
      • AUTHORITY – only here NT – one who has power over – in context men…
      • The role being described here is that of the PASTOR / TEACHER – Ephesians 4:11
    • There are those who argue Paul is ONLY addressing a CULTURAL issue of his day…
      • In other words – this was ONLY for that CULTURE – not for ours…
      • This is a very dangerous way to interpret the Bible…
      • Ignoring the plain meaning of a passage – by justifying it is just CULTURAL…
      • We can nullify almost any teaching of the Bible we do not like with this logic!
      • There are times when the Bible addresses culture – but it TELLS us – I Corinthians 11:16
      • If the Bible does NOT say it is CULTURAL – then we treat it as applicable TODAY!
    • In order to understand what Paul is talking about – we need CONTEXT…
      • This in NOT talking about ABILITY – women are VERY capable to TEACH / LEAD!

• The example of Deborah – Judges 4 – shows us a Biblical example of a woman leading!
• Some of the greatest secular leaders in history were women…
• Margaret Thatcher – Prime Ministry of England – helped topple Communism…
• Golda Meir – Prime Minister of Israel – led Israel in the Yom Kippur war!
• But within the CHURCH – a woman is NOT permitted to TEACH or LEAD – MEN…
  • God does not work in chaos – God is God of order – He works through structure…
  • I Corinthians 14:33 – “God is not the author of confusion but of peace…”
  • Part of that order/structure – is a hierarchy of authority within the church…
  • I Corinthians 11:3 – “The head of Christ is God, the head of every man is Christ, and the head of woman is man.”
• Women should serve in the church – Phoebe is called a deacon – Romans 16:1-2

• Women should teach women and children – Titus 2:4 – but not men! 
• Therefore – ONLY within the church – a man is allowed to be a PASTOR / TEACHER…
• This had nothing to do with ability or intellect – it is simply about structure!

• Can a women be ordained as a PASTOR…
  • The word PASTOR – poimēn – 18x in NT simply means to be a SHEPHERD…
  • NOTE – the word is ALWAYS used in the masculine – there is no PASTORA in the Bible…
  • Can a woman be a SHEPHERD over children / or women – of course!
  • Titles in churches are often particular to a denomination…
  • A church might have pastors / bishops / apostles / elders / deacons / ushers…
  • What matters is how a church defines those roles – who is teaching / authority over men!
• If a woman is a PASTOR over men…
  • I have good friends who are women pastors – and teach men in church services…
  • I do not agree with it – I think it is contrary to what the Bible teaches…
  • But I would not be divisive over it – it is not a SALVATION issue!
  • All believers are to agree on the essential doctrines of the Bible – salvation in Jesus!
  • On non-essential issues believers are to agree to disagree / not cause division…
  • Focus on the major issues – overlook the minor less important ones!
  • The triune nature of God / salvation only through the cross of Jesus – absolute!
  • Church on Sundays / praise songs or hymns / women pastors – agree to disagree!

It is a RESULT of ABIDING in Jesus – He transforms us from the INSIDE out!

3^rd – Why women are not to TEACH / LEAD… vs. 13-15 (3 points)

1^st – Adam was formed first – then EVE…

EVE – 4x in the whole Bible – wife of Adam – Genesis 3:20 / 4:1

Men were created to serve God – women were created to serve men…

Genesis 1:27 – “God created man in His own image; in the image of God…”

Genesis 2:22 – “The rib the LORD had taken from man He made into a woman.”

God created Eve to be a helpmate for Adam – Genesis 2:18

The same model God used for creation – God also uses within the church…

God calls men to lead in the church – and women are called to HELP men!

This does not mean men are better than women…

Galatians 3:28 – “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians—you are one in Christ Jesus.”

Ultimately – we are all equal under God – all sinners saved by the same grace!

God assigns positions for each one of us within the body of Christ…

WE give those positions value – WE elevate one above another…

But God does not say that one position is greater than another – all are equal!

It does mean men need HELP…

I think an often overlooked aspect of this issue – is the HELP men need…

Men are called to lead their wives to Jesus – Ephesians 5:25

Men are called to teach their children about Jesus – Ephesians 6:4

Recent study – if Mom and Dad attend church – 72% of their children remain faithful

If only the Dad – 55% remain faithful / If the only Mom – 15%

If neither attended regularly – only 6% remain faithful to following the Lord!

Men set the spiritual tone for their families – but many do NOT prioritize Jesus / Church…

Walk into most churches and you see this – far more women than men!

Therefore – God commanded the men to LEAD in church – as an EXAMPLE for the HOME!

Ladies are HELP the men to LEAD – so they learn to be an EXAMPLE!

2^nd – Adam was not DECEIVED – it was Eve who was DECEIVED… vs. 14

DECEIVED – 4x in NT – to be tricked or cheated…

Eve was tricked by the cunning words of the snake (satan) in the Garden of Eden…

Satan told her the fruit would make her Godly – and she believed him – Genesis 3:3-6

But Adam was not deceived – he was just outright rebellious – and ate the fruit!

God has gifted women with a heart to love and nurture the body of Christ…

In general – women tend to be more emotional / compassionate than men…

But that can also be a downside for women – emotions can be deceptive!

3^rd – She shall be saved in THE CHILDBEARING… vs. 15

View one – is that women will not die when they give birth…

The curse given to Eve / women was pain in childbirth – Genesis 3:16

Even though Eve was deceived – and given birth hurts – women will not die!

View two – is the role of a woman is to have children…

Women do not need to worry about having authority in the church…

Their role is to minister to and take care of their children – raise them up in the Lord!

View three – the woman spoken of is referring specifically to Eve…

CHILDBEARING – only here NT – it is THE CHILDBEARING…

Eve sinned – and brought sin into the world – and condemned the world to death…

But through another woman – Mary – salvation also came into the world – THE CHILD!

In the end a woman had the most important role of all – bringing the savior!

4^th – If they CONTINUE… vs. 15

CONTINUE – meno – to abide (Aorist / Active / Subjunctive) …

This is not a continual act – but speaks of a single choice…

Women are not saved by having children – they are saved by ABIDING in THE CHILD!

John 15:4 – “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

IF they CONTINUE – they will have…

In FAITH – pistis – 244x in NT – to have TRUST in Jesus…

And LOVE – agape – not emotional love – but perfect Christlike LOVE!

And HOLINESS – they will be set apart for Jesus – letting their lives reflect Him!

With SELF CONTROL – same word in vs 9 – MODERATION – pointing others to Jesus!

Do not miss this – how is a woman to do all that is expected of her in CHURCH…

It is not a check off list – careful what you wear – careful what you do…