WOMEN IN CHURCH (2)

0. Introduction

a) What role, if any, should women play in the church? Does the Bible allow women to teach in church, especially to men? Are there female ministers in the Bible? Is it permissible for a married woman to pray publicly? Some believe that ALL women, married or not, should not speak at all during services. Others feel that women should be able to ask questions but not allowed to make statements or comments. They view this type of active participation by women as "teaching men."

1. In Context

a) Paul was writing to the young evangelist Timothy, who was serving the brethren at Ephesus at the time. The year was circa 66 A.D. The Jewish Wars with Rome had just begun. The subject under discussion in 1Timothy 2 is the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles (1Timothy 2:7). Paul therefore reminds Timothy that all Christians (men and women) should pray for kings and all that are in authority, to the end that the gospel might be preached in a setting of peace and tranquility (1Timothy 2:1-4).

b) Timothy was therefore to teach that Christian men to pray. 

i) "I (Paul) desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (verse 8)  

c) Praying, in other words, that this gospel would go to the Gentiles, in due time, in a proper atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Timothy was to teach Christian women to pray the same thing. Only instead of admonishing the women to pray without "wrath and doubting," the women were to pray another way - 

i) "in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel . . . " (1Timothy 2:9). 

d) The word translated "modest" is the Greek kosmios and in this context carries the meaning of a Christian woman who is quiet and tranquil in her worship of God. It means a woman who fulfills the Christian duties which are incumbent upon her; a woman who is sensible, self-controlled and who voluntarily places limitations on her Christian freedom.

e) The word translated "propriety" is the Greek aidios and has the meaning of a modesty which has an innate moral repugnance to a dishonorable act; i.e., a reverence for the good as good. Aidios is used only here in 1Timothy 2:9 and in Hebrews 12:28. The word "moderation" in the Greek is sophrosune and has the meaning of soundness of mind, sanity or self-control. Thus it means placing voluntary limitations on one's spiritual freedom of thought and behavior. 

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