THE MINISTRY VALUE OF WOMEN

We were reminded that there is but 1 God and 1 mediator – Jesus Christ and it is through Him that we have access to the Father and the Holy Spirit is given to us to guide us

When we don’t know what to Pray – the Holy Spirit will pray for us

Paul called on men to step up and be prayer warriors in the home, in the church and in the community

He also told men to do so without anger or quarreling

Paul now turns his attention to the women of faith – the women in the church. These are probably the most controversial verses in Paul’s letters and are still dividing churches and denominations.

As we digest what God is saying here – I pray that we hear – that we receive with open hearts and open minds.

Let us Pray!

Role of Women

1 Timothy 2:9–15 – 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, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

I. THE SANCTIFICATION—vv. 9–10

1. Dress—v. 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,

The NIV Translation states v9 this way – 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,

Dressing in a modest way – unassuming – not flashy not poverty looking

Do not neglect your appearance – Not going to extremes in any way – This is not a call to be sloppy either –

Dress reveals character.

The “NOT WITH” clause here – Paul reveals 3 areas women can be tempted to go overboard

a. Hair – not elaborate, not that would draw attention to themselves

b. Jewelry – not elaborate, not overboard, not waste money on a lot of expensive jewelry

c. Clothing – not elaborate, not to draw attention to themselves, decent, appropriate, modest

Paul reminds believers of – Proverbs 31:30 – Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

2. Dedication—v. 10 – but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

Paul is saying desire good deeds, good works over looks and adorning’s

The Greek word is prepei – to behave in a morally “fitting” or “right” way

2 different kinds of beauty – physical and spiritual – outside and character

Be adorned in good deeds is more beautiful than clothing, makeup and jewelry

Peter also states what Paul wrote

1 Peter 3:3-6 – Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

Dorcas, Lydia, Phoebe are Biblical examples of this

Acts 9:36 – Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.

Acts 16:14-15 – One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Romans 16:1 – I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

II. THE SUBMISSION—vv. 11–15

This brings us to the one of the most controversial set of Scriptures – there are arguments over is the normative – meaning it applies today or was it cultural – only for the church it was written to.

1 Corinthians 11:1-16 deals with head coverings in church and prayer services – this was written to the church at Corinth dealing with a trans-cultural situation (trans-cultural meaning the mixing of many cultures) – is deemed by many as cultural reference. In verse 13 Paul says, “Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray with her head uncovered.”

1 Timothy is written to Timothy on the structure and order of the church and how the run is to function so it is deemed by most to normative.

1. Surrender—v. 11-12 – Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

To learn quietly– is not an absence of speech but without disruption –

with all submissiveness – to be ready to cooperate in everything, fully submit to the Gospel – to God, to Jesus, to Holy Spirit

exercise authority – authenteo – Greek for exercise dominion over, usurp authority, take authority and leadership by force

over a man – the Greek word aner – male not Anthropos – mankind

remain quiet – remain at peace,

We know this is not cultural – Jesus was not cultural – in 1st Century women were not allowed to be educated – Jesus taught women – Paul is not saying women cannot learn – just to be subject to the authority God has placed as teachers and not be disruptive while learning. They are to have a gentle and teachable nature.

In terms of teaching – Paul does not say women cannot teach – he says a woman cannot teach or exert authority over men (group of men – think of church setting).

In Titus 2 woman are instructed to teach younger women.

Both sides of the political aisle have taken this to the extremes – women cannot be pastors or deacons – not what this says.

This cultural so it does not apply to us – women can be lead pastors and lead whole churches

What Paul is saying is that women can learn and lead and teach – just not over men – men as a whole group –

Women can teach children, youth, other women

Women can lead mission trips, worship, prayer meetings

Women can evangelize – teach individuals about Jesus – even another male

Acts 18 – Priscilla helps teach Apollos the Gospel message – who then goes and becomes like Paul – spreading the Gospel – Priscilla played a major role in his ministry

So why not men as a whole – woman – Eve – came from man –

Here is another reason why this is normative and not cultural - Paul does not relate it to a current situation in the church but takes it all the way back to creation.

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

Subordination does not mean inferior – Jesus to subject to the Father but not inferior to the Father

Eve was not inferior to Adam, not greater than Adam – equal to Adam

Family function – church order though

Ephesians 5:22-24 – Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Eve was deceived but sin is not entirely woman’s fault – Adam chose to eat as well

Eve was deceived – Adam deliberately sinned

Romans 5:14 – Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

Woman Subordinate to man is her penalty for her part in the fall

Genesis 3:15-16 – I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”

When Eve stepped out of God’s role for her – she fell – today when women step out their role that God has given them – they are more subject to attack

Pastor David Reid says it this way, “Scripture teaches that, for the proper functioning in the ministry of the church, men should serve the Lord in the leadership and doctrinal teaching positions, and women should serve the Lord in the equally important support role.”

As Eve was equal to Adam but subordinate to him – in the family and in church – each have a role to play – different but equal

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

The hand the rocks the cradle rules the world – not scriptural but a biblical principle –

Raising your children in the Lord is one of the most important things you can do

As a woman you will be preserved when you live your life in alignment with Scripture – in faith and love and holiness and self-control

Ruth – the great-grandmother of David

Hannah – changed the course of a nation raising Samuel

Priscilla – helped instruct and empower Apollos

Lydia – after being baptized led her whole family into the faith

Phoebe – NT Deaconess –

As man and woman complete the image of God through marriage – so it is true of the church – no church can be healthy and functional without the steadfastness and faithful service and support of Godly woman - women are just as important to God’s work and moving the church forward - they just have different roles.