The Warfare of Faithful Godliness - 1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy 2:

I. The Charge of 1 Timothy

Ater his introduction, Paul lays a clear charge to Timothy in chapter 1 and verses 19-20 to "war a good warfare" and "hold on to faith and a good conscience":

1 Timothy 1:19 — This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Paul's challenge is framed two-fold:

The shared and unique strengths and weaknesses of the flesh of both men and women, and
Then tension those create with God's expectation of faithful Godliness from His children.

Paul highlights the carnality and weaknesses of the flesh without permitting them. He leads with the challenge to faithful Godliness, continues with both the difficulties and keys to keeping this charge, and then concludes the letter repeating the same challenge of faithful continuance.

1 Timothy 4:16 — Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

In chapter 2 specifically, Paul hits the nail on the head. Despite pride presenting in different ways, its the same root problem both the Godly man and the Godly woman are wise to war a good warfare against. To reduce any section of this letter to just "how women should dress" is missing this universally provocative message. Men and women have a common enemy and if we can identify it, we can call it out and overcome it. These passages are are not artillary for legalism, but are Holy Ghost precision strikes on what was and is causing so many to lose out. Godly men and Godly women are called by God to do a work and if we can manage to get out of our own way and God will lead us in accomplishing this work.

II. Godly Men and their Prayer Life, 2:1-8

1 Timothy 2:1 — ¶ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

key phrases:

first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life
in all godliness
and honesty: faith and verity.
men pray every where, lifting up holy hands,
without wrath and doubting.

Prayer and Life. Leading through living a life of prayer. Every man, everywhere should pray -- out of a life of holy hands and without wrath and without doubting.

Through this challenge to prayer, Paul is not wishing merely more prayers to be said. He is underscoring every man's need to live and express the truth of our dependence upon God. If the contemporary wisdom of manliness could be characterized as, "I do not need anybody. I'm going to do it my way everyone else can deal with it.", then the Biblical wisdom for the Godly man is, "Every man needs God and that he should live as if how he does live influences how God hears his prayers.".

Those with power and authority are admonished to quiet and peaceable living. If you read the qualifications given for elders and deacons in the pastoral epistles you will see this principle carry on through: "not drunkard", "not a brawler", "ruling house with gravity". This stares straight in the face of "its a dog eat dog world. Bite or be bitten" and "I do because I can". The Gospel is coming through clearly here to those with strength that their strength is not a license to bully, but is a grace to forbear. Paul is putting a warrant out for Godly gentle giants whose strength is not absent but under control.

Give a man a little power and it is a commmon thing for it run straight to his ego. I see Paul calling out this weakness in the most gentle way. He is perfectly modeling the principle by not just beating us over the head, but calling men, all men everywhere in every station, to live in the light that our prayers could matter to God. The greatest ability a man could possess to conquer himself and there is no more proven path to this than to live that prayer life.

III. The Adorning of Godly Woman, 2:9-15

1 Timothy 2:9-14 — ¶ In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

key phrases:

In like manner also,
that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,
with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

A. "In like manner, also.."

How much is what Paul directs toward the Godly men, indirectly also applicable to Godly women? A woman cannot be a man, but should she ...

Pray? Should she maintain a prayer life in good conscience — clean hands and a pure heart?
Would such a life of prayer provide leadership and direction?
value honesty, faithfulness, and peaceables as virtues of the Godly women's life?

The key here is not that men and women are the same, but despite men and women having different natural strengths the spirit or principle of what makes a man Godly and having favor with God and man is the same principle for women. Depending on the time, culture, education, preparation and mere opportunity, the Godly life for men and women may look or appear different, but the spiritual principles are shared.

Also, and perhaps more vividly in the particular way chapter 2 is divided, it highlights not just the strenghts, but also the weaknesses of men and women. How despite those different weaknesses, the life of Godliness is still enjoined to both men and women.

B. Women Adorn themselves ...

adorn: to make more beautiful or attractive.

The Contrast

"Godly ladies, you are more than a pretty face!"

It is not the Scripture that is reduces the worth of women down to her appearance -- that is what culture does over and over. The Scripture here is doing the opposite by contrasting the carnal wisdom on beauty and the wisdom for the Godly woman. The charge directed to the ladies here is an offensive attack on vanity and defrauding.

The same challenge can be given to men. Jesus did so as matter fact when he called the religious leaders "white-washed tombs full of bones." These leaders were so careful to clean the outside of the cup, but were careless where it counted most - the inside. But to just leave this as "whats good for the goose is good for gander" is to miss a genuine vulnerability the Scripture is highlighting. Men have issues with pride, vanity and temptation to defraud in no less degree than women, but allow for a moment of contemplation on the unique ways in which women are tempted.

Beauty and the wholesome desire to be found physically attractive by someone are not what is in the spiritual cross-hairs. There is a weapon that has been formed to control, manipulate and undermine the faith of Godly women. This is so effective that if the enemy of our souls can but feminize our men, he has some of the most powerful bag of tricks that will work on them to. This weaponizing of wholesome and God designed intents is as difficult to put your finger on it, but when you see it you know it. The endless train of beauty pagents and modeling this and that in American culture has demosntrated this sneaky thing that hides when you look it. "What's wrong with looking pretty?" No answer to that question will be satisfactory to a modern ear it seems and yet it sounds like "Hath God said?"

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Is this a false dilemma?

Can't a Godly woman be both inwardly adorned and outwardly? Why would a wommen need to be "ugly" outwardly in order to be beautiful inwardly?