Church Corrections

Text vs. Context

We began this series on 1st Timothy talking about this letter from Paul, to his spiritual son, Timothy.

He is writing this letter to build up - and to correct.

Very often, we have taken texts in the Bible without consideration to who is writing, to whom it is written, or the reason for the text.

Today, we are going into a very hotly debated passage. Rather than seeing the debate, I want us to consider some things before we enter the passage.

Ephesus Culture

Timothy was sent to Ephesus, which was like going to New York City. It was a central hub and port in Asia Minor.

This was a place of prosperity, business, and entertainment.

The temple of the goddess Artemis was 425’ long and 220’ wide with 127 pillars holding a roof 60’ tall. Where this female was being worshipped as a huntress and having power over child birth.

The great theater for entertainment could seat 24000 people. More than Madison Square Gardens arena in New York City (20000).

With so much traffic and travel through Ephesus, there were many different doctrines and teaching competing for dominance.

Women were generally uneducated and with so many competing doctrines, false teaching was not only deceiving members of the Church, they were embracing and teaching it as well.

It would seem there were a number of issues that needed to be addressed in vs 8-15

Text

1 Timothy 2:8–15 NKJV

8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

Reflection

Consider Abilene

What is our context?

If someone 1500 years from now looked back on our time, what would they say?

In my conversations with others, here is what I have heard:

Abilene has a religious spirit - not necessarily of God

Abilene has a lot of hurt from a city with 700-800 churches

Abilene has many hurts, addictions, and struggles below the surface

Abilene has a heritage of Christianity that has become more of a tradition like Santa Claus at Christmas time.

If Paul was writing a letter to Living Hope Church, what would he write?

Perhaps we are too young for that kind of analysis.

Is there something that Paul would address in your life?

How can we pray for Abilene, for our community and family, if we are not willing to have these things addressed in our own life.