1 Timothy 2:9-10 Revisited -- By: Richard Kroeger

Journal: Priscilla Papers
Volume: PP 08:1 (Winter 1994)
Article: 1 Timothy 2:9-10 Revisited
Author: Richard Kroeger


1 Timothy 2:9-10 Revisited

Richard Kroeger

Catherine Clark Kroeger

The Kroegers founded the Institute for lay Training, and Catherine is founder and President of Christians for Biblical Equality. At present she is adjunct professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; Richard is a retired Presbyterian (USA) pastor.

“All Scripture is by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). Let us therefore seek the positive message in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 which God has for the believer — a message which both traditionalists and egalitarians have too long ignored.

The world is still trying to pour us into its mold (Rom 12:1-2), a mold fashioned on Madison Avenue rather than in the Scriptures. Distressingly enough, many conservative and evangelical groups buy into a rationale for female behavior that stresses concepts totally at variance with those expressed by Paul in 1 Timothy 2:9-10, where he writes: “the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their hair braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God.”

Even in Christian circles there is often an inordinate emphasis on women’s clothing, accessories, jewelry, hairstyle, and so forth. Along with devotional material. Christian women are instructed in fashion, make-up, diet, exercise, and home decorating until many become preoccupied with external appearance — to the detriment of their spiritual lives and ministries. One male leader suggests that talented Christian women with time on their hands should direct their energies to new ways of concocting turtle soup! A serious profession of godliness has its risks for women in today’s Christian world.

Prayer

The first command of this passage is that women should pray, and many of us have learned from Evelyn Christiansen’s book. What Happens When Women Pray, what can happen when women band together in earnest and powerful prayer.

There is power in prayer, whether it is used individually or in concert with others. Jesus promised that where two or three were gathered together in His name, that He would be there; and that if any two agreed touching anything on earth, it should be done. James tells us that prayer is a mighty weapon to the pulling down of strongholds. Prayer has proved a most effective instrument in the hands of women who seek to achieve the purposes of God.

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