Bible Commentaries
1 Timothy 2

Verses 1-15

The apostle then turned to the public devotions of the Church. As the Church is the medium for proclamation of the doctrine of truth, so also is it the instrument of intercession as between men and God. The apostle used words that cover the whole ground, "supplications," "prayers," "intercessions," "thanksgivings." Christians in those days were being charged with rebellion against earthly government. The prayers of the Church disproved the charge. Such prayer is according to the will of God, and harmonizes with the perfect provision He has made for salvation.

Turning to the matter of the demeanor and position of women, we must remember that Paul was dealing with affairs in Ephesus. Behind the picture of the Christian woman as here portrayed is that of many of the women of the Greek communities, and it was to save the women of the Church from any conformity to debased ideals that these passages were written. The adornment of women in the Church must not be external decoration, but the general demeanor. The word "apparel” in this connection has reference to much more than mere raiment. It is the garbing of the whole life in its external manifestation. This garbing should result from internal sobriety, which means the perfect equipoise and control of life. The true place of woman is indicated by a reference to the original order in the case of Adam and Eve. Out of that history comes the occasion of woman's travail, and the apostle declared that in that supreme sorrow she will be saved, if her character is what has been already described.