Tag: modest

If They Continue

~ iolaHC ~ 2 Comments

1Timothy 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. 

‘For Adam was first formed, then Eve.’ This is Paul’s reason for stating the headship (not rulership) of men (2:11-14; 2Cor. 11:3).

By Adam (not Eve) came physical death, which is a result of the eternal-death penalty for sin (1Cor. 15:22). This death passed upon all people (Rom. 5:12-21). Adam was with Eve in the garden and therefore without excuse. He should have spoken up and protected his mate and his dominion. His duty was to cultivate and keep (preserve) the garden from all intruders (Gen. 2:15). “Keep” is from the Hebrew shamar, meaning to hedge about, guard, protect (Gen. 3:24; 6:19-20; 7:3; 17:9-10; 18:19; 28:15, 20; Ps. 17:8).

‘Shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.’ She shall be saved from dying during childbirth if she remains godly. Childbearing does not save the soul. Even to be saved from dying in childbirth is not promised unless a woman continues in four things: [1] Faith – something we must continue in; be grounded in; be settled in and not move away from our hope in eternal life (Col. 1:23). [2] Love – that consists of patience, kindness, generosity, humility, courtesy, unselfishness, good temper, righteousness and sincerity (1Cor. 13:4-8). [3] Holiness – everyone should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour (1Thess. 4:3-5,7). [4] Sobriety – clothed in proper and modest attire (2:9).

One must continue in these things to have the assurance of continued physical life, and the same is required for eternal life. Even with this promise, the benefits must be appropriated by faith.

With All Subjection

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Timothy 2:11-12 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. 

‘Subjection’ [Greek: hupotage] (3:4; 2Cor. 9:13; Gal. 2:5). This does not contradict the fact that women were free to pray and prophesy (teach from the Word) in Christian congregations (1Cor. 11:5, 13; Acts 2:16-21; 21:9; Joel 2:28-32). Women were commanded to learn from their own husbands, who were must older than they and had years of hearing the Law of Moses. Because there were no Bibles in those days, the men were supposed to tell their much younger wives what they heard from God’s Word (back then the Law and prophets only, the Old Testament) as it was known to them then. To state that women can’t study or read God’s Word today or teach it to others is a willful lie and not Scriptural for each individual are to ask, seek and find God on his/her own. To serve God because of another’s belief or tradition is not part of Christianity but is just another form of idolatry.

‘Usurp authority’ [Greek: authenteo] to have power over. Women should not dictate to men, but exercise their rights to teach, pray, and do other things under the authority of men (their own husbands and only if they are saved – unsaved men can be honoured without obeying their sinful commands).

‘In silence’ – It was the custom then for men to speak up in public assemblies to ask questions and even interrupt the speaker when they did not understand, but this liberty was not granted to women. Even today it is unbecoming of a woman to interrupt or question others on their beliefs; we have God’s Word and Christ – who is the Truth and Life – and the only teacher we will ever need (Matt. 23:8,10).

Women Professing Godliness Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Timothy 2:9-10 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 become women professing godliness) with good works.

‘Broided hair’ – an ancient headdress [Greek: plegma] anything twined or plaited; a net; wreaths; chaplets. This is not the Greek word for hair. It could refer to hair here, but it could also refer to some part of the headdress, the horn, for instance. Women wore a hollow, jewel-encrusted silver or gold tube or horn 45 to 50 centimetres long on the forehead. It had strong cords suspended from it to the back which reached to the knees and had red silk tassels weighted with lead. These kept the horn from toppling in front. The whole thing was supported by a network of cords and by a strong band fastened tightly under the jaw. A veil was worn over the horn in such a manner as to leave its lower half uncovered in front. The veil could be drawn over the face at will, to cover all the face but one eye.

The hair (which may be the reference here) was worn in the back in braids – from 1 to a record of 110 braids. In each braid would be woven silk cords with gold coins at irregular distances and reaching down to the knees, glittering at every movement of the wearer. Sometimes the hair was made into temples and other fanciful figures with the aid of gum.

Sometimes they wore caps completely covered with coins or frontlets ornamented with diamonds. Eastern women were fond of excessive jewellery – not only on their heads but on other parts of the body as well. Earrings, nose jewels, chains, rings, bracelets, ankle rings, strings of real pearls and money, necklaces, and many other ornaments were worn – some even by the men (Gen. 24:47; Ex. 32:2; 35:22; Jdg. 8:24; Isa. 3:16-24; Job 42:11).

‘Costly array’ [Greek: poluteles] (Mark 14:3; 1Pet. 3:4). It is the extravagance in ornaments and costly garments that Paul rebukes. In fact, the passage is not condemning any one style, ornament, or garment, but demanding moderation in dress and behaviour in general as women professing godliness (2:10). Thus clothing that covers up the women and not revealing any one area as to advertise one’s body. When either men or women live primarily for dressing up and outward show, it is wrong.

From 1Peter 3:3 we see that outward adorning consists of hairstyles, the wearing of gold and apparel. It is not the total condemnation of these three things that Peter intends, but rather he’s stressing the importance of inner adorning over outward adorning. Many go to extremes classing as sin all wearing of rings, bracelets, and other ornaments, but this is not the purpose of the passage. It says nothing of any one of these things being sinful or unbecoming to Christians.

Women Professing Godliness Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Timothy 2:9-10 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 become women professing godliness) with good works. 

‘In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel.’ Women also should pray to God in like manner as the men (2:8), being properly attired and modest in appearance.

‘Adorn’ [Greek: kosmeo] to order, arrange, deck, adorn, or embellish. Translated “adorn” (2:9; Luke 21:5; Tit. 2:10; 1Pet. 3:5; Rev. 21:2); “to trim” (Matt. 25:7); and “garnish” (Matt. 12:44; 23:29; Luke 11:25; Rev. 21:19). When you dress to get anyone’s attention or approval of your looks, you are already misusing the temple of God for worldly lust and affection and will gain no one’s respect.

‘Modest’ [Greek: kosmios] well ordered, moderate, regular, or well-behaved. Translated as “modest” (2:9) and “of good behaviour” (3:2). Women who did not dress properly were seen as those with bad behaviour. Today women dress as little as possible and show much skin and dishonour their testimonies as Christ’s representatives.

‘Apparel’ [Greek: katastole] apparel, equipment, dress, or clothing.

‘Shamefacedness’ [Greek: aidos] sense of honour; regard for others; respect; reverence; self-restraint, modesty or bashfulness toward men; not being bold or forward. Translated as “reverence” in Hebrews 12:28. Women who reveal too much of their bodies show a lack of respect for themselves wherein they make their bodies open to others for misuse or abuse. Many can’t understand why they are not respected, but they dress very poorly and with little to the imagination and their attire give away the lack of self-respect which they constantly demand of others.

‘Sobriety’ [Greek: sophrosune] discretion; self-control; chastity; temperance. Translated “soberness” and “sobriety” (2:9, 15; Acts 26:25; cp. 2Tim. 1:7; Tit. 2:4, 12).

Who Is Wise?

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

James 3:13-18 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. 

One who can bridle his own tongue and is qualified to teach others are seen in the Word as a wise man. True wisdom is always accompanied with meekness and gentleness. Scholars however are sometimes proud, overbearing, and disdainful. Such men have education, but not true wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and strife in your heart – someone always seeking recognition and are quick to argue to prove your point, you don’t have true wisdom. Even if you defend religion, you are false in your profession and lie against the truth.

There are eight characteristics of false wisdom mentioned: Bitter envying, strife in the heart (v14, 16), glory in profession (v14), earthly-minded, having only this life in view, sensual, living only to satisfy the animal appetites, devilish, inspired by demons (v15), living in constant confusion and every evil work (v16).

And eight characteristics of divine wisdom mentioned: to be pure – chaste, holy and clean; peaceable (Heb. 12:14); gentle – meek, modest, and kind; easily entreated – not stubborn or obstinate, but yielding to others. To be full of mercy – always forgiving and performing acts of kindness; full of good fruits; without partiality – having no respect of persons (Jas. 2:1-10); without hypocrisy – open, honest, genuine, and true.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace refers to those living in right-standing with God that will always abide in His peace no matter what your circumstances are (John 14:27; Php 4:7).