The Practice of Worship in the Church

The Practice of Worship in the Church (2:1-8)

2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

We have the great privilege. We are to tell God about all men.

2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Even for the Neros, Pelosis, Schumers, as well as the Trumps and Abbotts.
I exhort threfore. Because the doctrines of the Christian faith pertain to the Gospel of Christ, and the making of disciples of Christ. Paul urges, encourages the following conduct in the church at Ephesus, and thus in all churches throughout the Christian Dispensation.
1^st of all. Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks.
Be made for all men.
For kings, and for all that are in authority.
Why?
That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. The word honesty here carries the though of honor, dignity, purity and respect. We see here that Christians are not called to be political rebels in attempting to change the authorities’ position on matters. When we are identified with MAGA and vocally pledging allegiance to Trump and his policies, we lose our voice with about half of the population in America. Don’t get me wrong, I thank God for president Trump. He has been a great friend to Christians in many fo his policies and actions. But even so, we should seek change in government leadership and policies through respectful means. We should also seek it through prayer as Paul states here. We are to make supplications, bring specific requests to God to supply the needs for the authorities so that they can rule justly.
We are to offer prayers, that is, simply talk to God about the matters at hand.
We are to make intercessions. We have something the world knows nothing of. None of us in this church can go into the Oval Office and have a conversation with the president of the United States. BUT we have access to the One who placed the president in that Oval Office, and that will one day remove him and replace him with another president. We can go with great confidence, boldly, into the very throne room of God, directly through Christ, to the throne of grace and request the mercy and grace to help us, and to plead for the souls of others.
We should pray for the salvation of those in authority. Paul desired that king Agrippa would be saved, Acts 26:28-29. Nero, most likely, was the Emperor of Rome at the time of Paul’s writing these words. So even the worst of rulers are to be prayed for, because Paul did not make exceptions here. He said ALL men, for kings, for ALL that are in authority. Paul was respectful of ALL men, for he worked to bring the Gospel of Christ to all. He would not do anything to offend anyone with anything but the gospel message. The gospel did offend some, but it saved others. But Paul would never offend in any other way.
Even when he without knowledge reviled the high priest in Acts 23, he acknowledged his error by saying that he did not know that the man was the high priest, Acts 23:5.
The purpose of our prayers for all men, rulers?
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. When Christians can lead a ruled, quiet and peaceable life, then we are able to have more opportunities to get the gospel of Christ out to many more people. Christians in China are persecuted and risk their own lives and welfare by sharing the gospel with others, as do those in Viet Nam and Laos; we can also include Saudi Arabia and other muslim ruled nations. But even Christians in those countries are commanded to pray for their rulers, so that they would be able to live a peaceable and dignified life.

2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

How so?
Is it so that we can live a comfortable life of ease and prosperity, as many heretics preach today?
No, he states the reason in this next verse,

We are to tell all men about God!

2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

We pray, and seek to live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, so that we can get out the gospel.
This is the revealed will of God. It is His will that everyone would be saved, and that they would come to have a right knowledge of truth. Of course we know that Jesus Christ is the Truth, and the Bible is the Truth. Jesus said “If you continue in my word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” We are free to live as God would have us to live as long as we continue in Christ’s word, abiding in Him. That is the Liberty that God desires everyone in this world to have, the Liberty to live with and for Him. Life and Liberty is what God offers to all.
God desires that all mankind would be saved and that they would become disciples indeed of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We know also from 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise [of the coming judgment of the ungodly and this world], as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” This also is God’s revealed will. So we see, God wills all men to be saved and know the truth. He also is not willing that any should perish, but that they would repent.
Some theologians say that God has an efficacious grace that is irresistible and it is only exercised by God to save only those that He has chosen to save, and none others. But this doctrine is contrary to our verse at hand that God would have all men to be saved. If God’s efficacious grace cannot be resisted by man, then why do we not see ALL mankind saved, and following the Lord Jesus Christ? Why do we see so many that never repent, and thus perish in their sins? For God’s clear, revealed will is that all men would be saved and that none would perish.
Titus 2:11 The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. This shows that God’s saving grace, what the Calvinist calls efficacious grace, is extended to and available to all But not all men respond to that grace that commands all men to repent and believe the gospel, Mark 1:15. God’s saving grace is resisted by many, as we see in the following verses.
Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Steven preached to the jews and was stoned by them as he preached Jesus. Many resist the Holy Ghost in His drawing of them to the Savior, the gospel and truth. Again, we see that man is capable of making a choice, to either respond to God’s drawing, through His offer of grace (John 6:44 and 12:32), or to reject that wonderful offer of forgiveness of sins, and the gift of eternal life in Christ.
Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Jesus willed to save those of Jerusalem many a time. But those of Jerusalem (its government leaders and religious leaders), willed not to respond to His drawing and invitation of grace. God, the Savior of all mankind, was resisted – both His will and His grace.
John Phillips had a wonderful paragraph describing this situation. He writes in commenting on this verse:
- “Because God has endowed the human race with the power of choice, making us free moral agents, He will not violate the will of any man. Nor will He allow Satan to do so. Satan can persuade, but he cannot push, as we see in the temptation of Eve (Gen. 3). Similarly, God woos, but He will not ravish. The Holy Spirit enlightens, quickens, and pleads, but He does not force. Nevertheless, God’s great heart yearns over lost people as the Spirit of God once brooded over the darkness of the deep in the morn of creation (Gen. 1:2).”

2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

One God. That truth was entrusted to Israel in the Old Testament. Deut 6:4.
One mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. This truth is entrusted to the church in the New Testament. And this truth is the focus of the New Testament.
The Old Testament Job longed for a go-between, and that is what Christ our Mediator is. Hear Job in Job 9:32-33:
“[God] is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.”
Israel failed in the Old Testament by turning from the One , True and Living God, and then worshipping dead, vain idols. In our New Testament times, much of professing christendom has turned to mediators other than the man Jesus Christ. Rome attempts to go to God through Mary their co-mediatrix, whom they blasphemously call queen of heaven; they also pray to saints, and their priesthood, or clergy. Eastern Orthodox adherents pray and bow to icons, that is, statues, or paintings of saints. That is all in vain. Because the Bible clearly declares there is only ONE Mediator between God and man, and that is only the Lord Jesus Christ.
One Mediator, the man Christ Jesus. A mediator is a go between that intends to reconcile two separated parties. Man was at enmity with God. God’s wrath is upon mankind.
To be testified in due time. So, in the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman (He was true man), made under the Law, in order that He could redeem us from our sins and from the curse (Gal 4.4); and to reconcile us to His Father (Rom 5.10). Christ is the only Mediator that God will accept. Christ is God and Christ is man. He is the only One, that by His own unique nature (Son of God and also Son of Man), can mediate and reconcile both parties: God and man. He can place His hand in heaven, for He is God. And He has placed His hand upon this earth, for He is man.
- Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. He reconciles man to God by His sacrifice for our sins. He is our substitute.
- Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. He was delivered for our offenses, raised for our justification (Rom 4:25) and by His life, being alive in Him, being new creatures “in Christ” we are no longer enemies against God, as unredeemed mankind remains, but are now friends of God, sons of God and joint-heirs with Christ in the wonderful inheritance that is ours.
- 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. God has reconciled us TO Himself by Jesus Christ. God is no longer imputing our sins unto us, for Christ paid our price. But this good news must be proclaimed, or preached, to the unreconciled. And God has given this message of the gospel of Christ to US, those that have been reconciled. And we must Beseech the lost “Be reconciled to God!”
- This passage also shows us that mankind in his lost condition will never — by means of religious rituals, practices, meditations, offerings, sacrifices, etc. – be able to reconcile God to themselves. For mankind in its sin, cannot bring the righteous God into a relationship with man that continues in his sinfulness and unrighteousness. Man must have a mediator, who also is the Redeemer, that paid the price for, that Ransomed us from, our sins.
- We must be reconciled up to God, and be made righteous, as He is righteous. And this is all accomplished in the One Mediator, the man Christ Jesus!

2:7 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.

That is, appointed, or placed.
AV – truth 107, truly + 1909 1, true 1, verity 1; 110
God’s will in vs 4: all saved, all know truth. Thus Paul declares his mission as a preacher and an apostle. He was a teacher of the Gentiles in regards to faith in God and Christ, and the truth, that they following, would find freedom for living.

2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Therefor, because of the fact that God wants us to pray for all men, including those in authority, so that we can live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty; in order that we can get the message of reconciliation out to the lost, so that we can disciple believers to live a godly, dignified life.
Paul’s will: that men pray in all places, lifting up holy hands. Hands unstained by the filth of unrighteousness. Live godly, walk in the light, keep your sins confessed to God. Hands dedicated, set apart to the work that God has for us to do.
Ὅσιος STRONG’S NUMBER: g3741 … undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious.
These are the hands of men that are serious about their dedication to following the Savior, no matter the cost to their personal pleasures and desires.
Without wrath and doubting. The ones in authority in Paul’s day were the Romans and Rome’s surrogates: the caesar and governors and soldiers. Instead of being angry at them, Paul said to pray for them, vss 1-2. Nero was emperor at this time and he savagely persecuted Christians. He slandered them and caused the citizens of Rome to side against them.
The natural man would be furious against his lies and threats. Instead of responding against Nero’s Rome with wrath, the Christian instead was told to pray for Nero, and all the others in authority. If we are busy ranting against governmental decisions, we are incapable of fulfilling the clear will of God which is to pray for our governmental leaders.
Exodus 22:28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. {gods: or, judges}
without doubting. When the tribulations come upon Christians, it is normal for our old carnal man inside us all to doubt whether God is really in control of this world. It also is easy to doubt God’s love for us when we are persecuted. Christians in China would be an example in our day. They are imprisoned, simply for their faith in Christ. But if we doubt, we cannot please God, Heb. 11:6. We must not lose sight of the fact that God proved His love for us when Christ died in our place for our sins. We must also recall that God, even permitting the evils that befall us in this life, promises that all of it, put together, works together for good. These are two truths that make such wonderful pillows for the Christian to lay his head in the midst of trials.
As Romans 5:3-4 tells us, we should have an attitude of rejoicing when the tribulations come upon us. We can give God thanks for all things with a Christ-like mind, a saved-mind, a sober mind.
And that is what God expects of us, to lift up our holy hands – with out wrath and without doubting — in prayer to Him who sits in heaven on the throne of grace, so that we can obtain mercy, and find grace to help us in our time of need.
We must ask ourselves, are we ranting against and mocking those government officials (who are God’s ministers) that we disagree with? Or are we praying for them? We cannot do both and expect to find the grace we need in difficult times.

2:9 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;

2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

In like manner also. The culture promoted fashions in Paul’s day, just as they do in ours. But Paul also wanted the women to worship in the church in a godly manner, as the men were to do.
John Phillips: “Paul taught that women should avoid immodesty and “adorn themselves with modest apparel.” The word translated “adorn” primarily means “to arrange, to put in order.” Our English word cosmetic is derived from it. The corresponding noun refers to “a harmonious arrangement of things” and came to signify the world and the universe as divinely set in order. The word for modest means “orderly,” or well arranged. The word for apparel points to the flowing outer garment worn by kings and members of the nobility. In summary, Paul conveys the idea that a woman should dress in ways becoming to a Christian. No room exists for immodesty on the one hand or flashy display on the other. Paul was too wise to go into details; he simply stated the principle.”
with shamefacedness and sobriety; Sobreity literally is a “saved mind.” In other words, since you are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ, start thinking like a saved woman. It also carries the idea of self-control, with a grasp upon the lusts and passions, without outbursts.
Shamefacedness is not referring to wearing a veil, nor is it referring to not wearing makeup. It comes from the Greek word,
- αἰδώς. STRONG’S NUMBER: g0127
- Dictionary Definition g0127. αἰδώς aidōs; perhaps from 1 (as a negative particle) and 1492 (through the idea of downcast eyes); bashfulness, i.e. (towards men), modesty or (towards God) awe: — reverence, shamefacedness.
- AV (2) – shamefacedness 1, reverence 1;
- a sense of shame or honour, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect
- I am reminded of Moses’ first encounter with God, and his response in,

Exodus 3:1-6 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

Also in Hebrews 12:28 where αἰδώς is translated reverence,
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear;
Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Paul is not saying that the women of the church are to be shamefaced towards men in the church, but towards God, just like the men are to do, as we just read in Hebrews 12:28.

So then, we see the men of the church commanded to offer the public prayers, on behalf of all men – for the salvation of all souls, and for the ability, under government’s rule of society, to live an undisturbed and godly life, so that the gospel of Christ can reach everyone.

The Role of Women in the Church.

Paul in this chapter declares God’s will for the men of the church, then secondly for the women in the church, vss 9-15.
Notice that this follows the order in which God created the original male and female. Adam was first formed, then Eve. 1Tim 2:13; Genesis 1:27; 2:18-24.
God is a God of order, not confusion, as it says in
1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” {confusion: Gr. tumult, or, unquietness}
In reading this passage, many of our day, due to the influence of the feminist movement, attempt to change the sense and intent of these commands to women in the churches of God. They attempt to change it to a cultural issue rather than a doctrinal issue based upon God’s creation order. God expressed His intent and command for mankind from the sixth day of Creation.
Adam was first formed, then Eve.
Adam was given the command of God in Genesis 2:16-17 – before Eve was formed – concerning the trees Adam could eat the fruit of, and the one tree he could not, under penalty of death. Thus we see that Adam, the man, was given direct responsibility in this matter.
We see too that God, in giving Adam the responsibility to name all the created beings on the earth, including Eve, was signifying Adam’s dominion over the earth and its creatures, including Eve.
However, in reading Genesis 1:27,, we see that God blessed them both near the end of the sixth day of creation, telling them to be fruitful, multiply and take dominion over the other creatures of the earth.
Just as the three persons of the triune Godhead do not work contrary to each other, and there is no rebellion between them; so God intended this creation of earth to function together in a unified order. The Son always seeks to do the will of and glorify the Father. The Spirit always responded to the sending of the Son and the Father. And the Spirit also points men to Christ and His words. The Godhead works orderly and together, not in contention and confusion. That is the devil’s work.
Adam was first in responsibility, then Eve, not vice versa. Adam and Eve were to work together to have dominion over and to help the creation function and prosper in the manner that God intended, so that this earth would be a great place of blessing, enjoyment, living and in fellowship with the Creator.
However, the fall of mankind into sin marred all of Creation, and its order, and brought disruption into this world. Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Creation was no longer a place of enjoyment, but of hardship and contention.
No longer a place only for life, but now also of death.
And no longer a place for fellowship with the Creator, a place for hiding from the Creator due to the shame and confusion of sin and its resulting guilt.
Finally, no longer a place of blessing, this earth was cursed and a sacrifice for sin was needed.
It is the work of Christ that will one day bring about the deliverance of all the creatures from the bondage of corruption.
And it is the work of Christ, in redeeming lost men and women to Himself, and bringing them into His churches, that performs the work of reconciliation through the preaching of the gospel. And for this to be carried out, preserving the doctrines of the New Testament faith, and preaching the gospel to every creature, proper order is God’s will for the various bodies of Christ, the local churches.
The blessings upon all who are in Christ are equal, in regard to a new-nature, holiness before God, adoption, the recipients of His love, saving grace, grace for living, grace for ministry, forgiveness, acceptance, eternal life, inheritance of our place in heaven, sanctification of the Spirit of God. Galatians 3:25-28 “But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Again we see in 1 Corinthians 14:33, that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. {confusion: Gr. tumult, or, unquietness}
And it is in Christ’s churches where this peace and conformity to God’s intended order is to be promoted and maintained.
Paul now sets out the role of women in the local churches.

2:9 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;

2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

In like manner also. The culture promoted fashions in Paul’s day, just as they do in ours. But Paul also wanted the women to worship in the church in a godly manner, as the men were to do.
John Phillips: “Paul taught that women should avoid immodesty and “adorn themselves with modest apparel.” The word translated “adorn” primarily means “to arrange, to put in order.” Our English word cosmetic is derived from it. The corresponding noun refers to “a harmonious arrangement of things” and came to signify the world and the universe as divinely set in order. The word for modest means “orderly,” or well arranged. The word for apparel points to the flowing outer garment worn by kings and members of the nobility. In summary, Paul conveys the idea that a woman should dress in ways becoming to a Christian. No room exists for immodesty on the one hand or flashy display on the other. Paul was too wise to go into details; he simply stated the principle.”
with shamefacedness and sobriety; Sobriety literally is a “saved mind.” In other words, since you are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ, start thinking like a saved woman. It also carries the idea of self-control, with a grasp upon the lusts and passions, without outbursts.
Shamefacedness is not referring to wearing a veil, nor is it referring to not wearing makeup. It comes from the Greek word,
- αἰδώς. STRONG’S NUMBER: g0127
- Dictionary Definition … (through the idea of downcast eyes); bashfulness, i.e. (towards men), modesty or (towards God) awe: — reverence, shamefacedness.
- AV (2) – shamefacedness 1, reverence 1;
- a sense of shame or honour, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect
- I am reminded of Moses’ first encounter with God, and his response in,

That is a good depiction of shamefacedness. Mose, due to his recognition of his own sinfulness, just as Adam in the garden, hid his face from God. Fear of the Judge of all the earth seized upon his soul as he removed his shoes in the presence of God on that holy ground.
We also see this same Greek word in Hebrews 12:28, where αἰδώς is translated reverence,
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear;
Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Paul is not saying that the women of the church are to be shamefaced towards men in the church, but towards God; just like the men also are to do, as we just read in Hebrews 12:28.
We humans — due to the corrupt, mortal nature of our “bodies of death,” as Paul depicts us in Romans 7 — cannot look upon God in His glory. We would do as the Apostle John did when he saw the glorified Christ in Revelation 1:17. We would fall as dead before Him. But, just as Christ there told John not to fear, laying His right hand upon him, so we must bow before His mighty hand that we may be lifted up, 1 Peter 5:6. Ultimately these vile bodies will be changed into bodies of glory by our Savior, Philippians 3:21. But until that change of 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 takes place we remain fearful to look upon the glorified Savior. We indeed approach Him boldly, but we do so with reverence, or as here rendered, shamefacedness.

… not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array
The natural woman wants to adorn, or array herself, with the things that make her more attractive, to her husband and to others. But Paul says, in the church, not with broided hair. That is, don’t go to the hair stylist and get a hairdo that the fashion magazines would say, “Wow, get a look at this!”
Not with gold, pearls, or costly array. Again, women are to be modest in their apparel. They are not going to the royal ball, nor to the theater or opera. They are not to use their apparel and adornment in an attempt to make themselves physically attractive to God or others. They are not to accentuate their curves. They should dress in a manner that others know whether they are male or female, but not in a showy manner, nor to attract attention to their physical attributes.
Again, the context is in the church, the focus should be upon the Lord. We should not dress in a manner that draws attention to the apparel, or lack thereof.

2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

All christians are to promote and profess godliness, a fear of God and a love of God. And for the women that do so, Paul here declares the apparel that fits them best.
Good works are to be that with which the women of the church are adorned. That is what makes them most attractive and well-pleasing to both God and mankind.

2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Is this because of cultural issues at that time, or is it because of Doctrinal issues for all times? We have to search the context for the answer. And that answer is found in the next two verses.

2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Women are not to teach men in the church, nor any other religious setting as far as that goes. Today we have seminars and conferences, many not under any one church’s authority, where women preach or teach with men in attendance giving heed to their words. This is an affront to these clear commands of Paul as we see in this passage.
God is a God of order and peace, not confusion and disturbance.
Adam was first formed and directly responsible to God. Then Eve was formed.
Adam sinned, not being deceived.
However, Eve, being deceived, was in the transgression, it says.
Do we have to dive deep into the distinctive natures between men and women to try to gain insight here as to why these two roles are forbidden women?
We simply need to obey what God has clearly commanded in His churches. Men are to pastor and teach the men. Men are given the authority over the men in the church. And Paul will address those offices of Pastor/Elder and Deacon in the next chapter.
One might object that many churches have women pastors, or women deacons, women that teach men. One might reason “if God called them to this work, then it must be fine with God.” The answer is God’s clear command for Christians, as seen in black and white in this passage. Those women are not obeying God, but that which they deem to be right in their own eyes.
But, there have been many women usurp authority over men in christendom over the past two-hundred years. Ellen G White, became accepted by the Seventh Day Adventist movement as a prophetess. Her pronouncements were equated to God’s word in the Bible.
Aimee Semple McPherson was an influential pentecostal preacher/evangelist in the early 1900s that usurped authority over men.
Paula White is a modern day prosperity-gospel televangelist. She is pastor of a church in Florida. Last year, May 2019, she declared herself to be an Apostle with a capital A. She is a usurper of authority over men. She has a gospel message not unlike many I have heard that merely assure one that prays the prayer that they are saved. But there is no clear call to repentance and faith as the Bible teaches. It is a shallow gospel message.
Supposedly in the early 2000s she met with then businessman Donald Trump and along with her team prayed with him. Did Trump at that time trust Christ? Did he repent? God only knows. From what I know of her ministry, she is woman seeking fame and fortune in the name of our Savior, promoting herself more so than the Savior. And she is acting contrary to the commands of Scripture in an office that is not for her.
Speaking of our president, and in light of the first several verses of 1 Timothy 2, we need to pray for his salvation. He has never declared pulbicly his response to the command of Christ to repent and believe the gospel. He was raised a Presbyterian in the church that Norman Vincent Peale pastored in New York City. Peale promoted a Positive Mental Attitude as the cure for the soul of man, rather than the need to be born-again by repentance and faith in Christ. His most notable disciple was Robert Schuller. Schuller thought little of the blood of Christ. He said that “crude, uncouth, and unchristian,” “to make people aware of their lost and sinful condition.” Why? Because it would harm their self-esteem. He would rather they go to hell with a positive self-esteem, never having heard the gospel, rather than hearing the gospel, their sinful estate and their need for the Savior. So, please pray for our president and his salvation.
But we also see other, less offensive women teachers of men in mixed-multitudes, that violate the command for women not to teach men. Beth Moore is one, though she is beloved by many Christian women, she is in error when teaching men at her conferences. Anne Graham Lotz is another who preaches before mixed multitudes of men and women.
I do not intend to offend the sensitivities of any of our dear ladies in this church. For our church is comprised of many, many godly women who adorn themselves with the good works of Christ, in a manner that the Father finds well pleasing.
And I do not offend the desires for work that the dear ladies of our church seek. Many of our ladies serve Christ teaching in our church. And they teach those that God has given them to teach, the children, and the younger women. We have several women in our church, and I thank God for them, that labor to teach the children of the Savior; and the younger women, how to love and respect their husbands – which by the way is not an easy thing to do. My beloved wife can attest to that.
There is much work for the women of every church to do. They are to minister, or serve, in various functions, exercising the particular gifts that God has given them. And I love the work that our dear women have adorned themselves with at Northeast Baptist, while remaining subject to the order in the church which our Lord has commanded, and not seeking to appropriate to themselves, the works that God has forbidden them.
The prohibition of women pastors/elders is not based on culture, but on the Doctrine of God’s eternal, created order, as revealed in His Bible which for ever is settled in heaven.

2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

She shall be saved. Notice it is singular, referring to individual women.
She shall be saved by childbearing, We know that this cannot refer to being saved from sin and the receiving of eternal life. For that is all by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It is a gift, not a reward for works.
We find that the Greek word swdzw is translated saved in this verse. This word is found 110 times in our New Testament. Here is how it is translated: AV – save 93, make whole 9, heal 3, be whole 2, misc 3; 110
The woman with the 12 year issue of blood was “made whole” of her plague, Matt 9:22.
The Samaritan leper that returned to give thanks to Christ was made whole by his faith in Luke 17:19. And there are other examples we could give.
So then, if a woman is forbidden to have authority over men, and forbidden to teach men, then how shall she fulfill her desire to serve God in teaching? Many women are great teachers and are to be appreciated. That is a most needed role in the lives of children. Just ask Lois, and Eunice, Timothy’s grandmother and mother who taught him the scriptures from his childhood, 2 Timothy 1:4; 3:15.
Godly women have such a wonderful nurturing spirit in them that is so necessary in properly raising a child. These mothers tend to be much closer to their children the first several years of the child’s important formative years. And this is where they will find that which makes them whole: childbearing, bringing children into this world, and then training them to trust Christ, love Him and follow Him all the days of their lives.
God’s first command, and blessing, upon Adam and Eve was, ‘Be fruitful and multiply …”
It is the fruit of the womb that is a blessing. Listen to,
Deuteronomy 7:13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Children’s conduct and character have an impact upon their parents, especially their mother – even after they are grown. That was a main purpose of Solomon’s writing the book of Proverbs, so that his children would learn how to have godly wisdom, a fear of God, and a love for truth and God’s commandments. Listen to some of the verses he wrote,

Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Foolish. One that refuses correction, refuses to turn from his evil, rebellious ways. He wants his will, no one else’s.

Heaviness. Grief and sorrow, bringing heaviness of heart.

Proverbs 15:20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Proverbs 19:26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

Proverbs 20:20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

The penalty for cursing a parent under the Law was death according to Exodus 21:16 and Leviticus 20:9. Indeed such a one would deserve an eternity in the darkness of hell.

Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Many godly mother’s have had their hearts broken by children that have forsaken the instructions that were given them while growing up. When the rebellious child has suffered the consequences for their sins in this world, the mother suffered the heaviness of heart, and also bore the reproach and shame that those sins brought.

Proverbs 23:24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. 25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

However, as we see in this verse, many godly mother’s have been able to find great joy in seeing their children grow up, trained in the Scriptures, trusting Christ, living for Him and loving God and God’s people. For these children, their mothers, as wells as their fathers, find a source of great joy and rejoicing.

This is the type of rejoicing, by the way, that occurs in heaven when a sinner repents, turning to God from their sin and trusting in Christ as their Savior, Luke 15:7, 10.

And that brings us to the final verse that we should look at in regards to the mother and her training of her children in the Christian faith.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Mother’s play such a crucial role in the lives of every one of us that have been born into this world. The nurture and instruction that a mother imparts to her children gives the children a foundation for starting out in life. The mother’s greatest influence in the child’s heart is most important in the formative years. She, along with the child’s father, must be careful and preserve the child’s spirit, but at the same time break the selfish will of the child. The child must learn that ultimately, he or she is responsible to God for his or her own conduct and decisions. As long as the child that enters into adulthood understands his or her accountability, responsibility and duty to God and Christ, they will be prepared for a life of faith, charity, and holiness with sobriety. They may “kick the traces” early on, as my former pastor used to say, but they will eventually return to the God that loves them and saved them. And they will live a life for and with their Savior.

Hopefully, this has helped explain the last verse of 1 Timothy chapter 2,

Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they (the children) continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

And as we celebrated last week, I would just like to extend again a heartfelt thanks to my mother, and all you dear ladies in our church who have been blessed with motherhood and have had such a wonderful, godly influence upon the lives of your children.

Thank you and God bless you.

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