The Strand Study Bible

Written From Macedonia During Paul’s Release From House Arrest In Rome A good pastor will exhort Christian women to be sober-minded, quiet, and submissive 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame- facedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women profess- ing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to 1 teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in CHILD bearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. I Timothy 3 1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a 2 bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, 3 vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no 4 striker, not greedy of filthy 5 lucre; but 6 patient, not a 7 brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) A good pastor will fulfill the qualifications of his office Date Written - c. AD 64

I TIMOTHY 2:9 - 3:16

2023

6 Not a 8 novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the 9 condemnation of the Devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are 10 without; lest he fall into reproach and the 11 snare of the Devil. 8 Likewise must the 12 deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the 13 mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and 14 great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: 15 GOD was manifest in the flesh, 16 justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, 17 preached unto the Gentiles, 18 believed on in the world, 19 received up into glory. A good pastor will stress the qualifications of his deacons

1. Note - This word ( teach ) is the same word used for pastoral preaching (I Tim 3:1-2 & II Tim 1:11). Women, like men, are allowed to teach, i.e., transfer truth to anyone. What they shouldn’t do, according to Paul, is become the “head” pastor ( nor usurp authority over the man ). 2. or, “ pastor (Acts 20:28); elder (Titus 1:5,7); over- seer (I Pet 5:1-4)” 3. or, “self-controlled” 4. or, “fighter; bully” - Titus 1:7 5. or, “money” - I Sam 8:1-3 6. or, “meek; gentle” - Titus 3:2 7. or, “argumentative” - II Tim 2:24 8. or, “a brand new believer” 9. Isa 14:12-15 & Ezk 28:15 10. or, “the secular world” 11. II Tim 2:26 12. Acts 6:3 13. or, “body of revealed doctrine; deep truths” 14. Acts 7:5,8,55-56 15. Mt 1:23 & Jn 1:14 & I Jn 4:2-3 16. Mt 3:16

17. Acts 10:34 18. Acts 2:41 19. Lk 24:51

2:9a Both words ( adorn and modest ) come from the same Greek word – κοσµος ( kosmos ) and means “ to decorate in a harmonious and orderly fashion .” Like the world, which God harmoniously decorated and fashioned in an orderly manner, Christian women are to adjust their dress so they do not appear as slobs and/or harlots (I Pet 3:3-6). Paul is not denying Christian women the right to wear make-up or jewelry. Did not the Israeli women request jewels from the Egyptians and receive them (Exo 12:35- 36)? Did not Abraham send jewels to Rebecca and did she not receive them (Gen 24:22,30,53)? God is not against Christian women decorating themselves in an orderly fashion with make-up and jewelry. What God is against is Christian women dressing inappropriately and/or wearing excessive make-up and jewelry that draws attention to them instead of God. 2:9b This word ( shamefacedness ) is the Greek word αιδους ( aidous ) and means “ with reverence or awe before God. ” It is used only one other time in Scripture (Heb 12:28). Aidous means “ to quickly feel shame (to be in awe) before God. ” God is not only interested in “how” Christian women look, but “why” they look how they look. Christian women should dress themselves everyday as if God were standing right there before them. 2:10 Christian women ought to adorn themselves with good works , not good ornaments. Good works are the best ornaments. Men ought to be impressed with a woman’s inner beauty (her character), not her outer beauty. THE ADAGE IS TRUE: Unlike make-up, spiritual character can never be washed down a bathroom sink 2:11 Paul cites two reasons why women are not to lead spiritually (usurp authority - I Cor 14:34,35 ) over the men in the church: 1. They were second in creation (vs 13) (Gen 2:18 and I Cor 11:8-9) 2. They were first in transgression (first to be deceived – vs 14) (Gen 3:6 and I Cor 14:34-35).