Proper Attitude and Order In the House Of God
1 Timothy 2:8-15
INTRODUCTION:
A. As we begin this morning let me take a couple of minutes and do a recap of where we have been
1. Paul wrote this letter to a “son in the faith” to encourage and exhort him in the ministry he had left him to fulfill.
2. In chapter one Paul spoke of two things:
a. First, was a warning to false teachers – evidentially they were growing more numerous in, and troubling to, the church
b. Secondly was a charge to Timothy, This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 1 Tim 1:18-19
3. In chapter two, Paul states that because of these two things Timothy was to lead the church to pray for all in power that the church might have an environment in which they could spread the gospel
4. And this was necessary because it was God, according to 1 Tim 2:4, Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
B. This call to spread the gospel and see all men come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ sets the backdrop for all that follows.
1. It was Jesus who had said to His disciples – the firstlings of the church, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt 28:18-20
2. This has been called the great commission and is still in force today.
3. But Jesus would be the first to tell us the end does not justify the means – things must be done God’s way.
4. That means with the right attitude and in the right way or order.
5. So it will be the Attitude and Order we will be looking at this morning
6. Let’s read our passage found in 1 Tim. 2:8-15 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
PRAY
We will begin this morning by taking a look at
I. THE PROPER ATTITUDE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD, 1 Tim 2:8-10 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
A. It should be noted at the beginning that this letter had a central purpose behind it
1. We find it stated in 1 Tim. 3:14-15 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 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.
2. The proper and orderly behavior within the context of the house of God and, thereby in extension, worship.
3. And so we must consider the present passage in light of this.
B. What we find in these three verse amounts to an attitude that is to be present – this will become clear as we progress – the attitude is holiness
1. We begin with the men
a. Based on the desire to be God’s people joyfully declaring the gospel to God’s glory they were to pray lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting
b. Whether because of the false teachers, the havoc being caused in the church or any number of other things the men were evidentially showing anger and arguing and praying with less than pure intentions and thoughts.
c. Paul says that the men are to lift “holy hands” – that is they are to have a life that is in God’s will, one that is pure and purged from sin
d. There was to be no anger or arguing or dissension
e. The statement “men pray everywhere” lets us know this is not just a local thing bound by geography or time – it has relevance for us.
f. In other words we are to have an attitude of holiness – having a desire to please God when we pray – especially within the context of the “house of God”
2. This idea of holiness is further seen as we turn to the women
a. Note the phrase “In like manner also”
- Paul does not address prayer to the women, but rather dress: so the object of the like manner is not prayer – nor is it dress in particular, but rather the attitude of holiness – the desire to please God
b. And so we come to the manner in which Paul addresses this subject to the women.
c. Two extremes become apparent: modest apparel and costly array
1) The mention of modest apparel may have been in reference to the types of clothing worn by street or temple prostitutes – these were not to be worn in the gathering of the church to worship – new converts needed to be taught
- There is a reason prostitutes dress the way they do – to lure, to draw attention, to distract
2) The other side of the spectrum is to dress outlandishly: formal with gold, silver, pearls again the intent to draw attention.
d. In opposition to these manners of dress women are to dress in such a fashion that “becometh women professing godliness,” that is with decency and good sense.
e. Let me make one last comment of clarification – Paul is not saying women are not to braid their hair, or ware jewelry, or gold, only they are not to be worn as a means of drawing attention to themselves
- More time and means should be spent on good works!
3. But don’t let the interjection of prayer and dress distract you from the central meaning.
a. Both are used as a means of pointing out the condition of the heart and life – holiness
b. Paul may have used the two bigger problems within the Ephesian church to make the point, but the point is eternal in nature – and the specifics do apply – if the shoe fits, ware it!
C. Our attitude in worship, in the house of God, ought to be that of holiness – things done in and about the worship service ought to be done for God’s glory
Paul having spoken to Timothy about the attitude that should be prevalent within the house of God moves to a matter of much more controversy in our society
II. THE PROPER ORDER IN THE HOUSE OF GOD, this actually moves on through chapter three but we will tackle only the portion found in the end of chapter two - Women in the House of God
A. As I open let me state first and foremost that neither I nor Paul are sexist
1. We must remember Paul is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (God) and I am preaching that which he penned.
2. The traditional way of seeing this passage has been the way the church has understood, preached and taught it, almost without deference, until the mid 1960’s
3. It was in the midst of the woman’s liberation movement that this passage came under scrutiny
4. Nothing was or has been found in the church father’s material or context, textually or historically, to change the meaning.
5. The only thing that has changed was the cultural environment – and that is not a good reason to change the meaning or intent of scripture.
B. Lets first listen to Paul’s words: 1 Tim. 2:11-15 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. Here we find a Directive and Support Material
1. First the directive: Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
a. First, In learning:
1) She was to do so with quietness (a teachable spirit might be another way to say it.)
2) Their culture both Greek and Jewish did not allow women to learn with the men – as they had been set free in Christ they were now able to interact – Paul may have been trying to subdue a few who were boisterous or over baring
3) But understand also the all inclusiveness of the statements: all men (anthropos – mankind in verse 4) to be saved; all men (the male) everywhere; and now women.
4) Therefore I do not believe this is cultural or historical, but universal and for all time
b. Second, In teaching she is not to usurp authority over the man
1) This is not because she is dumber, more emotional, lest articulate and any other so call reasoning
2) It is simply God’s order of things!
2. And this brings us to the Support Material of such a position
a. Let us read 1 Tim 2:13-15 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
b. Note the word “for” – “the woman is to learn in silence and not usurp authority of the man because” is the meaning
c. Paul is about to give the reasoning for such a position and it has nothing to do with many things people want to make this about– it is established in God’s order of things.
d. Our God is a God of order.
1) It is first seen in the creation of our universe – there is order, a way that things work – as put in place by God.
2) As a part of that larger creation there was the creation of mankind: first Adam and then Eve, with God giving the commandments to Adam first and then Him making Adam a help meet, Eve.
3) Then there is order in the family: the husband is the head and the wife submissive to him in leadership, while equal in personhood.
4) It should not surprise us that He has an order for the church.
e. Paul reaches back to the second one I mentioned as his starting point
1) Man was made first and then women – she was to be his help meet
2) It is not a matter of who is better than who but about God’s creative order.
f. Secondly, he speaks of the fall: the woman was deceived not the man
1) Now I don’t think Paul is stating the woman was simpler or more gullible
2) I believe he is stating she did not submit herself to the creative order and defer to her husband, who had received the commandment from God, but took it upon herself to move out of the divine order
g. This brings us to the third statement – a hard one to say the least - Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
1) Two meanings are more likely
a) First the “she’ in the verse refers to Eve and the “they” to Adam and Eve – thus we are speaking about the promise of the coming Messiah
b) Secondly, the “she” refers to Eve and the they to “women” thus meaning that they should remain in their respective created order
- “Childbearing” referencing their womanhood, thus embracing their womanhood they will find safety, health and strength – spiritually speaking
c) I believe the second is more inline with the context.
2) It is this divine order of things that sets the foundation for the woman not to be in authority over the man in the worship service.
CONCLUSION:
A. So what do we take away this morning? Two things
1. We need to live holy lives and come to the house of God with an attitude of holiness desiring to please our God and bring Him glory
2. Secondly, we need to submit ourselves to the creative order whether in creation, family or worship.
- It’s not about us but about God and His order for things
B. We cannot allow cultural shifts or norms to dictate our manner of worship
1. God has given us such freedom in so many areas
2. Yet in some He has spoken to the matter directly.
3. We will truly be blessed as we follow His divinely established order of things.
