In the household of God

Know your Context

If I treated a zoo like a park.

If I treated a mall like a skate park.

If I treated a classroom like a boxing ring.

If I treated a church like a fashion runway.

Knowing our context is vital and it is no different in scripture. As we read and study we must be aware of the context in which certain teachings are given. Today’s passage is written with the express purpose of addressing the church.

1 Timothy 3:14–15 ESV

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

As we read our passage today, we need to be aware that it is not an island unto itself. It ties to chapter 2:1-7 that discusses the call to prayer. It is then followed by 1 Timothy 3 that outlines the two distinct offices of the church. These topics surround today’s passage that addresses problems that can arise in the church, which will keep the genuine disciples of Christ from receiving the teaching they need. The heart of this section is captured when Paul wrote in chapter 3 verse 15

1 Timothy 3:15 ESV

15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

So today’s message is on a text that has come under fire in the modern church because we live in a culture that struggles with the idea that God created men and women equal in value but different in function. If we remove ourselves from this modern bias, part of the text is made very simple. Even with this commitment to let the Word speak there are some difficulties created by the nuance within the Greek words that don’t translate perfectly into English.

With that said, I want to remind you of one of the verses I gave you last week.

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

As we approach today’s text, keep in mind the importance placed on the renewing of our minds. God is looking to transform us into people who are no longer trapped in sin and ruled by the curse but that we would be people set free by Jesus to live as God intended for us to live.

Let’s pray and ask God to lead and guide our time today.

PRAY

Read 1 Timothy 2:8-15

1 Timothy 2:8–15 ESV

8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

Men have a problem

1 Timothy 2:8 ESV

8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

They are to enter into worship with holy hands lifted up. The problem that Paul sees in men is one of aggressive pursuit of dominance. Whether that be over positions of leadership, the way the service is run, and sadly in Ephesus the false teaching that they espouse. All these things lead to a distraction and inability to worship God with the right spirit.

Paul begins this section by dealing with an issue that typical of men. This does not meant that he permits women to act like this either, but he doesn’t feel the need to directly address the women on this issue because they have their own struggle.

Women have a problem

1 Timothy 2:9–10 ESV

9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

Do I spend more time my hair and my outfit then in heart preparation for worship? The point of this is to encourage the women of the church to dress well but not to get attention or to show superiority in wealth or fashion. Paul is pointing to the heart of the worshiper

John 4:23–24 ESV

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Men and women are to focus on the things that truly define us. It’s not about winning the argument, claiming dominance, or being noticed.

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

As we begin this discussion of how people are to conduct themselves in the church, the focus turns immediately to matters of character and heart and not the external trappings of power and beauty.

Women in the Church

Let the women learn

1 Timothy 2:11 ESV

11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.

The emphasis of verse 11 is that women are to be permitted to learn. This is written as a command to Timothy as the overseer of the church to insure that the training and learning of female disciples of Jesus is not hindered.

The mode of their learning is that of quietness and submissiveness.

Quiet:

The greek word hēsychia (quietness, rest)

2 Thessalonians 3:12 ESV

12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

This word indicates demeanor not silence.

Verse 12 clarifies this point:

1 Timothy 2:12 ESV

12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

Remember the context: this is in the meetings of the church.

Many cry foul as they take this beyond its intended meaning.

The illustration:

1 Timothy 2:13–15 ESV

13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

Order:

1 Timothy 2:13–14 ESV

13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.

Redemption:

1 Timothy 2:15 ESV

15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

How we see each other should be shaped by how God made us.

remember:

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

This week I want you to look at the lies the world tells about gender roles and consider their consequences.

What is lost by becoming worldly?

What is gained by remaining godly?