1 Timothy: Session 5

This evening we dive into a topic of Scripture that has prompted many questions over the decades, and led to many arguments throughout the years across many denominations.

First, the objective tonight is NOT to get in an argument! The objective is to explore what Scripture says. So I must insist that as we talk about this tonight, that we extend to one another grace and… have an open heart to what the Holy Spirit may want to say.

Our study of 1 Timothy brings us to a passage that is going to address women and their role, if you will, in the church. Our text comes from 1 Timothy 2:9-15. This passage comes directly after Paul addressed the men calling them out on two specific points:

One, Paul, through Timothy, instructs the men at Ephesus to “lift up holy hands in prayer” and two, to do so “without anger or disputing.” Evidently there was an absence of praying men and an excess in anger and disputing!

We know what kind of devastating results this can have on a body of believers! Division is NEVER a positive thing within the church! But division along with a lack of prayer… well, that is the beginning of a recipe for disaster! Paul calls out the men for the sake of making things right in the Ephesus church.

Next, Paul brings his attention to the women. Again, Paul’s address to the men - in context - was to correct “certain people” regarding false teachings in the Ephesus church. And also remember, Ephesus was the location of the temple of Artemis - a goddess of several things and patroness (or supporter) of young girls. In other words, the women of Ephesus were most likely highly influenced by teachings of this false temple. With this in mind, let’s examine our text.

1 Timothy 2:9-15 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Paul hits on three topics regarding women - modesty, ministry, and salvation. This verse, along with 1 Corinthians 14:34-36, are the most commonly used texts in making argument that women are not to be involved in church leadership. However, the rest of the New Testament, and many passages of the OT, not only support but affirm that God does in fact call and use women in ministry.

Modesty

In our passage, Paul first hits on the topic of modesty. Paul speaks of the importance of appearance. And they key to be remembered here is what was said in verse 10 - if a woman professes to worship God, such a profession should be discernable through her outward appearance.

First, is such an instruction exclusive to women only? Of course not! The same principle applies to ALL believers. The faith we profess should be be affirmed by the life that we live. Modesty is truly a position of the heart. Modesty involves dressing in such a way as to not draw undue attention to the body. It means presenting oneself in such a way that is respectful to God and reflects a person’s purity and honor. OUR INNER CHARACTER, OR FAITH IN CHRIST SHOULD ABSOLUTELY IMPACT OUR OUTWARD APPEARANCE.

In our day and age, is modesty something we should be concerned with? Absolutely it is! And in Paul and Timothy’s day, evidently the church at Ephesus was having a few modesty issues among the women. So why is this an issue? To be clear, I do not feel we have a modesty issue at HWC… however our culture promotes an immodest pattern? Kristy is going to talk for a few moments regarding the importance of modesty.

Ministry

Uh oh… did I just break a biblical rule by asking Kristy to share in our teaching tonight? No… I do not believe I did. Paul moves from modesty to addressing how women at Ephesus should conduct themselves within the church - to learn in quietness and full submission, and not assume authority over a man. Something was not right at Ephesus.

Where do we, the Assemblies of God, stand on the topic of women in ministry? I believe our stance is pretty clear! Pastor Karli received her ordination this last Sunday, Kristy is a licensed minister in the Assemblies of God, hopefully one day she will receive her ordination as well, and there are many other credentialed women serving in the AG both stateside and around the world. Is this a direct violation of what Paul is talking about here?

CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING. Although we do not fully understand the circumstance, it is believed Paul, in both this passage and 1 Corinthians 14, was addressing a local concern prompting his instruction. Why is this believed? Because in other passages Paul is affirming women in ministry, women in positions such as apostle, deacon, and teacher! So is Paul contradicting himself? Not so long as context is remembered.

What are some examples of women in ministry - women who were very active in the Church - in Paul’s day?

Priscilla, along with her husband Aquilla, was a business owner in Corinth who gave Paul lodging and perhaps even a job. She was a great teacher (Acts 18:26). Luke lists Priscilla first, which may indicate she was the lead teacher of the two.

Phoebe held the title of deacon (Romans 16:1). But many scholars believe Phoebe’s role was to take Paul’s letter to the church in Rome where she would have read it to the believers and even answered questions they may have had.

Junia, clearly a feminine name, is referred to as an apostle in Romans 16:7 by who? By Paul! He refers to her as “outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.”

What are some examples of women in ministry in our day that have impacted us directly?

6 of the twelve elders at the Azuza street mission were women - women who laid hands on and ordained ministers and missionaries. Women who were highly influential in the ministry activities at the mission.

Rachel Sizelove, after attending the Azuza street revival, came to Springfield, MO and brought the baptism in the Spirit to what would become the headquarters for the Assemblies of God! This all took place even though a local pastor scoffed at them, rejected them, and caused them to leave the church!

In our history a little closer to home… the Kensington Assembly of God church was originally founded… by three women. And today there are anointed and Spirit-filled women doing a mighty work all across our nation and world!

It is not for us to say who God can or cannot use in ministry! Is God concerned with order in our worship services? Absolutely He is… but it has nothing to do with gender or any other “status” we might have.

Remember the verses I had you look up last week? Those verses were Acts 2:17-18 and Galatians 3:28 Why did I bring these up? Because they show the inclusivity of the new covenant in Christ. Jesus’ blood was shed for all, salvation is now available to all, and God is pouring out His Spirit in all who would believe in Him. There is no cultural, racial, or gender barrier to be considered. This all goes back to our pentecostal hermeneutic. It is clear in Scripture and in our historical and present-day experience that God does call and utilize women in powerful and highly influential positions of leadership and ministry!

Salvation

lastly, Paul comes to the topic of salvation for women - instructing that salvation will come through bearing children - if a women continues “in faith, love, and holiness with propriety.” (v. 15)

So… what’s going on here? Doesn’t salvation come by way of placing our faith in Jesus Christ? Yes… that is completely accurate. Our salvation comes only through the blood of Christ. There is nothing we can otherwise to secure our salvation… so why does Paul… go here?

Again, CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING. Some would suggest this was a reference to our salvation coming through the birth of Christ. Others would suggest that in light of the influence of the temple of Artemis, that Paul was defending and encouraging Christian women not to avoid or forego pregnancy or even… abort pregnancy. They suggest that the movement for progressive Roman women in Ephesus encouraged women to flee and be liberated from this event.

Ultimately we do not know. WHAT WE DO KNOW IS SALVATION COMES THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. Paul was addressing local concerns - concerns found in Timothy’s ministry context.

Conclusion

Although 1 Timothy 2 includes gender-specific instruction given by Paul to Timothy, we must remember it was given in light of concerns present in the Ephesus church. As we study these passages, we must also keep in mind what the rest of the Bible says regarding these topics.

Modesty comes from the heart… it comes from our desires to please God in ALL things… including the way we dress and present ourselves.

The calling of God is available for all people regardless of race, social status or gender.

Salvation only comes through the blood of the Lamb - through Jesus Christ.