This morning, we started looking at the gender roles that God has put in place for the church. Taking root in the order of creation, men are to be leaders in their home. Yet God has placed authority of Christ over them. Men were not created to be supreme over women, but placed in an authority sandwich.

“Christ is the head of every man,
and the man is the head of a woman,
and God is the head of Christ.” (1 Cor 11:3)

This is a serious responsibility, and God expects men to spiritually lead their homes. Faithful, holy men who righteously lead their homes are to lead in worship and in the church.

Now that Paul has addressed the men, he turns his attention to the women. Of course, you can hear the men silently cheering in the background, knowing that the inspired apostle will tell them to submit to their husbands’ leadership—and yet, there is more in this text than just that.

When Liberal theologians and atheists point to this chapter to claim that Paul was a misogynist, they have completely misunderstood the text.

Instead of suppressing women, the Gospel has always elevated women. Elsewhere, Paul wrote:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28)

In other words, the Gospel is a message of equality. Does this mean we can trash the concepts of gender conformity? No. But it does mean we shouldn’t confuse the concepts of gender roles and gender equality. Men are not more valuable, intelligent, holy, or desirable to God than women.

So what does God expect? Let’s take a look.

Women, embrace modesty.

“Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, with modesty and self-restraint, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly clothing, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women professing godliness.

A woman must learn in quietness, in all submission. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

For it was Adam who was first formed, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into trespass. But she will be saved through the bearing of children, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with self-restraint.” (1 Tim 2:9–15)

Many of the items in this section are based on contrasts. Christian women must act differently from men and from worldly women.

The primary characteristic is described as modesty. This refers not only to the attire a woman wears, but also to her attitude and demeanor.

Invest in your inner beauty.

“Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, with modesty and self-restraint, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly clothing, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women professing godliness.” (1 Tim 2:9–10)

In the following section of the book, when Paul defines the qualifications of elders, he describes men who are dignified. Dignity is not a gender role; it’s a sign of maturity.

God means for both men and women to be serious, not immature and silly. Perhaps in our society, this issue has been reversed, but from some of Paul’s statements elsewhere, it seems immaturity and frivolity among women was a widespread issue in the early church.

A huge part of this is what you prioritize in yourself. Do you spend a small fortune on jewelry, makeup, and nice blouses? Or do you store up treasure in heaven? (Matt 6:20)

Peter describes the same thing, writing,

“Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on garments; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible quality of a lowly and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands” (1 Pet 3:3–5)

God made women with far more physical beauty than men, but the external eventually fades. By adorning your inner woman, you are still beautiful. Your holiness and piety mean far more to God than your appearance.

Part of the solution to men objectifying women is for women to stop objectifying themselves. Of course men are (and have always been) responsible for their own actions, but beauty culture has made female objectification much worse. You’re more than a pretty face—you’re a child of God and you carry His image. Focus on what God sees, not what men see.

Wear appropriate clothing.

One of the applications Paul brings out is that your clothing must be “proper,” “modest,” or “respectable.” Don’t shame yourself by dressing immaturely.

There are twin extremes. Given that it’s summer, you might be inclined to wear less than what will cover you properly. This is the antithesis of respectability. Your body is not made as a work of art for all the world to admire. Cover yourself.

The other extreme involves over-dressing and showing off your uniquely expensive wardrobe. Once again, you’re not in a beauty pageant. Perhaps you’ve seen the ridiculous clothes worn at the Met Gala—whether those clothes cover the body fully or not, they are far from modest. Modesty is related to humility. Don’t seek attention by under-dressing or over-dressing.

Serve others.

“…by means of good works, as is proper for women professing godliness.” (1 Tim 2:10)

Consider the fine examples of women who were known for their good works.

• Mary and Martha hosted Jesus in their home in Bethany (Luke 10:38).
• Tabitha made clothes for widows (Acts 9:36–39)
• Lydia was the first convert in Greece, and she hosted the church in Philippi (Acts 16:14–15, 40)
• Priscilla worked alongside her husband in ministry (Acts 18).
• Women like Phoebe, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, Euodia, and Syntyche worked hard in the early church (Rom 16:1, 12; Phil 4:2).

There is no shortage of examples of women who lived like Paul describes. They were not oppressed, but seen as lights in the church.

Respect the order God has designed.

“A woman must learn in quietness, in all submission. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.” (1 Tim 2:11–12)

If God has appointed men to lead in the home, in worship, and in the church, then claiming that role as a woman shows two layers of disrespect. First, you dishonor the men who should be filling that role. Second, you show contempt for God, who gave them that responsibility.

This passage has nothing to do with God preferring to hear men’s voices. Again, it’s about order and role. God has placed men in the position of teaching and leading in the family and in the assembly. Women are are not to lead in worship if there are qualified men.

Consider the significance this instruction would have, especially in the first-century church, when the majority of Christians were women. If you look in Acts, frequently the missionaries had more success preaching the Gospel to female audiences than to men. Even today, women are generally more religious than men.

Now, I want to make a note on this. Is God calling for absolute silence among women in the assembly? Common sense would say, no. All members are expected to participate in mutual congregational singing.

“…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” (Eph 5:19)

It’s not about the actual silence, it’s about the roles. When we have Bible class, asking questions, answering questions, or contributing to the conversation isn’t a violation of your role. In fact, it enables the teacher to fulfill his role in the church. However, if a woman starts taking over the class, it certainly can become a violation.

Submit to your husband.

“For it was Adam who was first formed, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into trespass. But she will be saved through the bearing of children, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with self-restraint.” (1 Tim 2:13–15)

This is an extremely difficult text that sounds easy at first. And it only gets harder the longer you look at it! I think we can break it down, however.

Let’s start by looking at verse thirteen. This is the easy part!

“It was Adam who was first formed, and then Eve.” (1 Tim 2:13)

Like we saw this morning, Paul recalls the order in the Garden. God placed Adam in authority over Eve, to pass on the commandments of God to her. God always intended for the relationship to work this way.

Yet, instead, they swap their roles. God chastises Adam:

“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’…” (Gen 3:17)

Instead of Adam leading Eve, he submits to her. And instead of Eve submitting to Adam, she usurps his authority.

I believe this is why Paul says then in verse fourteen:

“And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into trespass.” (1 Tim 2:14)

Paul isn’t saying that the woman’s sin is not why she must submit to her husband; he is using Eve’s sin as an example of what happens when these roles are violated. The word “trespass” here means an overstep. Eve stepped beyond the boundaries of her role, and into Adam’s role. It seemed innocuous to her, but it introduced a chain reaction that led to where we are today.

Now we come to the hardest part of our text.

Possibilities of verse 15

“But she will be saved through the bearing of children, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with self-restraint.” (1 Tim 2:15)

I want to point out the difficult parts.

1. Your translation may reword it, but Paul writes, “But she will be saved”—a singular “she”. Is this women in general, or Eve specifically?
2. What does “saved” mean? Is this spiritual salvation, or something more casual?
3. What if a woman can’t have children? Is Paul saying that’s all women are good for?
4. Who is continuing in “faith, love, etc.”? Does “they continue” refer to the singular woman? To plural women? or to the children?

Possibility one

The woman is Eve. She is freed from her sin by a single event of childbirth: the birth of Christ. This event made salvation possible not only for her, but also for all women—if they adhere to the roles God put in place for them.

Possibility two

The woman is women generally. The verse doesn’t refer to spiritual salvation, but to vindication in her role as a woman. If she fulfills her role properly, she will be seen as having equal value to her husband in God’s order.

I believe the second option makes more sense in context. The biggest obstacle we face in returning to the biblical model for gender roles is that it has been abused severely by ungodly men.

As part of the curse in Genesis three, God warned the woman,

“I will greatly multiply
your pain and conception,
in pain you will bear children;
your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you.” (Gen 3:16)

Of course the first part is a curse. God punishes her with pain in childbirth. But what about the second? Is God cursing the woman to be subject to her husband? That cannot be the case, because she was already subject to him! Rather, it seems that God is describing a consequence. As a result of her sin, women throughout history will be oppressed and dominated by their husbands. The proper order will be abused, but the other direction.

Teach your children to love God as much as you do.

God always has honored you. Yet our society claims that traditional gender roles are oppressive and devalue you. Paul is removing your cultural glasses and helping you see things the way God does.

Men have an authority sandwich—and so do you.

In the home and in worship, you submit to male leadership. But in the home, you also have your own charges: your children.

Mothers have an extremely strong influence on their children. Just ask brother Frank! Training them is more than enough responsibility. Notice how God divides up the work of leadership evenly: Women lead their children daily, while men lead their wives (and children), and the church.

It’s such a beautiful picture! It’s even more powerful when we remember that Timothy was a product of this very practice.

“Being reminded of the unhypocritical faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that it is in you as well.” (2 Tim 1:5)

Timothy’s Greek father did not teach him the Scripture—his mother and grandmother did. Their work investing in Timothy paid dividends in the end.