ef=”http://www.ilmaarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/canadablooms-019-001.jpg”>April 1
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APPROPRIATE CONDUCT IN CHURCH
8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and dispute. 9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive apparel, 10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. 11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a wrongdoer. 15 But women will be preserved through childbirth—if they continue in faith, love, and sanctity, with moderation. – 1 Timothy 2:8-15
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In this verse, Paul addresses both men and women’s demeanor in church or corporate worship. In verse 8, he instructs men to pray lifting up their holy hands without anger and dispute. The call for men is to lead the body of Christ in prayer. Why are men expected to lead in the church and not women? If we go back in the creation story in Genesis 2:21-22, we see the order of creation. Man came first and the woman was created later after the man. This is God’s order in creation. That is why women are supposed to submit to men.
Paul specifically pointed out how they should lead the church in prayer: without wrath and doubting. In the Lord’s prayer we are to ensure that when we pray, we have forgiven those who have offended us or our prayers will be hindered. Clarke comments that “Having no vindictive feeling against any person; harboring no unforgiving spirit, while they are imploring pardon for their own offences.”
Verses 9-15 are clear instructions for women to follow with regards to their conduct in the church. Paul wants these women to ensure that they put on proper attire in church modestly and discreetly. By modestly, Paul meant that they need to wear clothes that aren’t revealing or call attention to distract anyone. He talks about what is more important which is the proper clothing, which is godliness. In verses 11-15, Paul further talks about the importance of women submitting to their husbands and authority in leadership in church. Women are not to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet and follow God’s order of men being their head. They need to continue in their faith, love and purity and moderation.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to follow God’s order in terms of leadership and authority?