1 Timothy 2:9

“Likewise”: That is, in the same way, similarly, this word links this paragraph with the preceding discussion, showing that public worship is still the overall context. “It is hard to believe that here in verses. and 10 the topic has temporarily changed to something not related to worship. Just as men are to make necessary preparations before they come to worship (1 Timothy 2:8), so the women are to give evidence of the same spirit of holiness, as they make preparations to come to worship. Just as men's lives were important to their worship and offering prayers, so the women's lives were important to their worship” (Reese p. 62). Women do pray during times of public worship, but the word “likewise” is not to be interpreted that women lead such prayers as men do. “As the men were to follow the instructions given to them regarding leading in prayer, the women likewise are to follow carefully the instructions about to be given to them” (Dewelt p. 53).

1 Timothy 2:9 “I want”: The italics indicate that there is no verb in the Greek for this expression, the translators, to help the reader, have supplied this expression from what Paul said in 1 Timothy 2:8. Obviously, the instructions in 1 Timothy 2:9 are not optional any more than the instructions of 1 Timothy 2:8.

1 Timothy 2:9 “Women”: The Greek term rendered “women” can mean “women” and or “wives”.

1 Timothy 2:9 “With proper clothing”: The term “proper” means: “Decent” (Vine p. 79). “Respectable, honorable” (Arndt p. 445). The idea of this word includes that which is well arranged; we would say it should be in “good taste”. “Slovenliness in dress and appearance is unbecoming. Christian woman” (Hiebert p. 58).

1 Timothy 2:9 “Modestly”: Denotes reverence, respect, and. sense of shame. “This is that modesty which is ‘fast' or rooted in the character” (Vine p. 17). “In it is involved the innate moral repugnance to the doing of the dishonorable act, which shrinks from over passing the limits of womanly reserve and modesty, as well as from the dishonor which would justly attach there to” (Trench pp. 68,71).. proper reserve. The terms “modesty” and “discreetly” denote the state of mind necessary for one who is concerned with adorning themselves with proper clothing. Not only must the clothing be proper, but the attitude, the manner or look of the person wearing it must be proper as well. “Denotes that self-respect which shrinks from all that is immodest and unseemly and bases respect for others on self-respect” (Hiebert p. 58).

Remember: “The word modest does not only refer to the cut of the dress but to the attitude of the one wearing it” (DeWelt p. 54).

1 Timothy 2:9 “Discreetly”: “Denotes soundness of mind, sound judgment, habitual self-government” (Vine p. 44). “Good judgment, moderation” (Arndt p. 802). “The well-balanced state of mind resulting from habitual self-restraint” (Hiebert p. 58). Such. well-balanced state of mind will protect. woman from vanity

Point to Note:

“One's attire is the expression of tastes, interests, and even character. Consequently, the manner in which. woman dresses indicates. great deal about what sort of woman she is” (Kent p. 110). One cannot argue that clothes have nothing to do with the person wearing them or that what. person wears says nothing about the condition of their mind and heart.

1 Timothy 2:9 “Not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments”: “The reference is to the custom then prevalent in fashionable life, of interweaving in the hair gold, silver, pearls, causing it to flash brilliantly in the light” (Hiebert p. 59). Added to this, Roman women often had figures of harps, coronets, wreaths, emblems of temples and conquered cities woven in their hair as well.

1 Timothy 2:9 “Costly”: That which is extremely expensive and requires. great outlay.

Points to Note:

God does not forbid jewelry, as God is not forbidding putting on dresses in 1 Peter 3:3. rather God is warning against the preoccupation with outward adornment. The amount of outward adornment. person may wear can depend upon age, relative rank in life, and the means which one may possess, yet the true line is passed when more thought is given to this external adorning than the inward attitude of the heart. “Any external decoration which occupies the mind more than the virtues of the heart, and which engrosses the time and attention more, we may be certain is wrong” (Barnes Notes p. 135).

Extravagant personal display obviously has been. temptation for women in all ages. In addition, such external emphasis does not always arise from wanting to impress the opposite sex, at times women are simply trying to out-do or impress their own gender. “He would exclude all that might distract the worshiper or reflect upon the spiritual dignity of the members” (Hiebert p. 59).

Neither is Paul insisting that Christian women wear drab dress. “Even this may be worn with vanity; the very drabness may be made. display” (Lenski p. 560).