Glamorous Women

1 Timothy 2-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

When you hear or see the phrase "glamorous women," what comes into your mind? I think about fancy hair dos, a beautifully made up face, expensive clothes and jewelry worn by  women who arrive at an awards night, stepping out of a black limousine. Is that the same picture you have?
Paul doesn't use the word "glamorous" in his letter to Timothy and the Ephesian church to describe what is appropriate for women in the church. Shall we see his description?
Please stay with me on this.
First, let's review what Paul has been talking about in 1 Timothy, chapter 2. The main topic is how to act in public worship. Prayer is to be one of the main focuses (of course the Word of God is most important). (verses 1-7) Next, Paul shifts to describe men and women in the church. Godly men should pray everywhere (specifically leading in prayer in worship). We talked about that last time. If you didn't get a chance to read it, the post is called "Praying Men." Please take time to read it.

With all that said, are you ready to delve in?

Vere 15 states, Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Remember, all Scripture is inspired by God. Here's a promise to chew on ladies.
To begin with, the woman's body was designed for childbearing. That's is quite obvious. We have a place in which to carry a child. Along with that, we have an inner craving to be a mother, which is how God designed us. (Not every mother is going to heaven just because she's a mother.) Genesis 3:15 refers to the incarnation of Christ as promised to Eve and the woman who believes in the Lord Jesus only, in order to be saved (from the penalty of sin and hell).

"Woman's true fulfillment is in her devotion to that for which she was created, the bearing and rearing of children...[This] is a loftier work for her even than being a leader in the church," a statement from Studies in Timothy, Convention Press.

Look back at verse 15 again. Paul says I'll be saved.
According to MacArthur Bible Commentary, a  better translation is "will be preserved." The Greek word can also mean
-to rescue,
-to preserve safe and unharmed,
-to heal.

He's not saying the way for us to be eternally saved is to have babies. Paul's talking about us raising a generation of godly children, leading the human race out of sin into godliness in Christ. After all, it was a woman who led humans into sin, wasn't it?

Did you read that 2-letter word if? If what, Paul?
If I continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control, then I'll help lead humans, by way of my children, to believe in Jesus and hearts will be changed as a result.
Wow! Do we have an important task or what, ladies? Only God knows what kind of good influence my life and yours will have on  future generations to come. (After all,  preachers, missionaries, Christian singers have a mother and grandmothers.)
Is that what a glamorous woman is like in God's eyes? Am I continuing to live in faith, love, holiness with self-control? I can be glamorous without all that expensive jewelry, clothes, car, hair-do, and make-up. The Lord Jesus is my source, not money. I see that I spend too much time and money on my appearance and not enough on my inner beauty. Are you with me?


LET IT GROW

Now, what are some instructions Paul gives to us women so we will honor God while fulfilling His role for us in the church? Are you hanging onto your hat?

Jeremiah 9:20, NLT, tells us Listen, you women, to the words of the Lord; open your ears to what He has to say.

I think this Scripture can apply to us (me) today. Yes, Lord, I'm listening. Teach me Your instructions and help me apply it for Your glory.

Verses 9-12 say, In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided 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.

The Message says verses 9-10 in this way: And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fasions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it.

While attending a public worship service, I am to:
1. dress modestly, arrange myself in modest apparel.
    The Greek word for adorn means "to arrange," "to put in order," or "to make ready." A woman is to
    arrange herself appropriately for the worship service, which includes wearing decent clothing which
    reflects a properly adorned, chaste heart.
    Modest means "decent and orderly." A woman's clothing should be decent, orderly, and in good taste.
    Shamefacedness means "modesty, the avoidance of extremes." Don't go beyond the bounds of decent
    and proper.
    Sobriety comes from a Greek word that means "having a sound mind and good sense." It describes an
    inner self-control. Christian women should major on the inner person, holy character, that only Christ can
    give.
    (Ephesus was a wealthy commercial city, and some women there competed against each other for
    attention and popularity. Expensive hairdos arrayed with costly jewelry were an accepted way to get to
    the top socially. They wove gold, pearls, or other jewelry into braided hair to call attenetion to themselves
    and their wealth or beauty. The same was true of costly clothing. )

    Before leaving the house, I look in the morror, checking to see if "the girls are showing," even when bending over, and if my "behind" is revealed , with a too tight or too short clothing. Is what I'm wearing going to  draw attention to me, away  from God's Word and His worship? If so, I need to change.

The worship service is not a fashion show. Paul urges the women to produce good works instead of devoting attention to their physical appearance.

2. have a spirit of learning and to avoid an attempt at dominating men. Our learning is to be done in silence
    and with all subjection (verse 11).We are spiritually equal with men (Gal.3:28), but we have different roles
    in the church. Older women are to teach the younger women and children (Titus 2:3-5). Also, I am to
    respect authority. The God-given order of Christian men being the spiritual leaders in the church is to be
    exercised.
    Silence, found in verse 11, is best translated "peaceable." Some women abused their newfound freedom
    in Christ and created disturbances in the services by interrupting in the Ephesian services. (In 1 Cor.14,
    Paul mentions similarly silence of women in reference to speaking in tongues.)
   
3. have good works. A godly character and Christian service should be my aim. 1 Timothy 6:6 states
    that godliness with contentment is great gain.

Where is my focus? Is it on my appearance and wardrobe, or on my righteous behavior? Are the women in my church following what Paul has taught us? If not, am I willing to teach them?

I noticed that Paul didn't mention women praying in church. He talks about in 1 Corinthians 11.


LET IT GO

What do I need to let go of in order to be this kind of woman Paul described?

How is my faith, love, holiness with self-control? Does it need imporvement?

Is my appearance honoring my Savior or distracting from Him?