Survey
of the Letters of Paul: 1 Timothy 2:10
1 Timothy 2:10
But (which becometh women professing
godliness) with good works.
Let us begin the second half of 1st Timothy 2
with a reading from the Barclay Commentary.
"The second part of this passage deals with the
place of women in the church. It cannot be read out
of its historical context, for it springs entirely
from the situation in which it was written "It was
written against a Jewish background. No nation ever
gave a bigger place to women in the home and in
family matters than the Jews did; but officially the
position of a woman was very low.
"It was written against a Greek background. The
Greek background made things doubly difficult, as
the place of women in Greek religion was low.
Further, in Greek society there were women whose
whole life consisted in elaborate dressing and
braiding of the hair.
"In any event, there is much on the other side. In
the Genesis story, it was the woman who was created
second and who fell to the seduction of the serpent
tempter; but it was Mary of Nazareth who bore and
who trained the child Jesus; it was Mary of Magdala
who was first to see the risen Lord; it was four
woman who of all the disciples stood by the stake.
Priscilla with her husband Aquila was a valued
teacher in the early church, a teacher who led
Apollos to a knowledge of the truth (Acts 18:26).
Euodia [o'dia] and Synthche
[syn'ca thee], in spite of their quarrel, were
women who laboured in the gospel (Philippians
4:2-3). Philip, the evangelist, had four daughters
who were prophetesses (Acts 21:9). The older women
were to teach [the young women] (Titus 2:3-4). Paul
held Lois and Eunice in the highest honor (2 Timothy
1:5), and there are many women's names held in honor
in Romans 16.
"All the things in this chapter [1 Timothy 2] are
mere temporary regulations to meet a given
situation. If we want Paul's permanent view on this
matter, we get it in Galatians 3:28:
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.
"And yet this passage ends with a real truth. Women,
is says, will be saved in childbearing. Paul means
that women will find salvation not in addressing
meetings but in motherhood, which is their crowing
glory." ~ Barclay's
Commentary
Timothy 2:10
But (which becometh women
professing godliness) with good works - That
is, it is not appropriate for women who profess to
be the followers of the Saviour, to seek to be
distinguished for personal, external decorations. If
they are Christians, they have seen the vanity of
these things, and have fixed the heart on more
substantial realities. They are professed followers
of Him “who went about doing good,” and the
performance of good works especially becomes them.
They profess to have fixed the affections on God
their Saviour, and to be living for [the Kingdom]; and it
is not becoming in them to seek such ornaments as
would indicate that the heart is supremely attached
to worldly things. There is great beauty in this
direction. Good works, or deeds of benevolence,
eminently become a Christian female. The nature of
woman seems to be adapted to the performance of all
deeds demanding kindness, tenderness, and gentleness
of feeling; of all that proceeds from pity,
sympathy, and affection; and we feel instinctively
that while acts of hardy enterprise and daring in a
good cause especially become a Christian man, there
is something exquisitely appropriate to the female
character in deeds of humble and unobtrusive
sympathy and benevolence. God seems to have formed
her mind for just such things, and in such things it
occupies its appropriate sphere rather than in
seeking external adorning. ~Barnes Notes
But (which becometh, etc. -
That is: Good works are the only ornaments
with which women professing Christianity should seek
to be adorned. The Jewish matrons were accustomed to
cry to the bride: “There is no need of paint, no
need of antimony, no need of braided hair; she
herself is most beautiful.” The eastern women use a
preparation of antimony, which they apply both to
the eyes and eyelids, and by which the eye itself
acquires a wonderful lustre.
~Adam Clarke
But (which becometh women
professing god likeness) - By which is meant
not any particular grace, was it, the fear of God
might be designed, and so the Syriac version renders
it; nor the whole of internal religion only; nor the
form of godliness, or the whole scheme of Gospel
truth, which is according to godliness; nor only
outward holiness of life and conversation; but the
whole of all this, all religion, internal and
external, the whole of godliness, both in a
doctrinal and in a practical way. All this, these
women the apostle gives directions unto, had made a
profession of, and had been baptized upon it, and
received members of churches; and as yet held their
profession: and such persons, it best became them
not so much to adorn themselves with any outward
adornings, as with good works. Good works are like good clothes, to
which the apostle alludes; they do not make persons
men and women, but they adorn them as such; so good
works, they do not make men and women Christians, or
believers, but they adorn them as such; they are
ornaments to their persons, and to their profession,
and to the Gospel they profess. See Titus 2:10. ~John Gill
Quoted verses:
Titus 2:10 but let us begin in verse 1:
Titus 2:1-10
1 But speak thou the things which become sound
doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate,
sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour
as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given
to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober,
to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good,
obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God
be not blasphemed.
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good
works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity,
sincerity,
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he
that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having
no evil thing to say of you.
9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own
masters, and to please them well in all things; not
answering again;
10. Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity;
that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour
in all things.
Let us take a look at the commentary on Titus 2:10:
| Not purloining
- Not to appropriate to themselves what
belongs to their masters. The word “purloin”
means, literally, to take or carry away for
oneself; and would be applied to an
approbation to oneself of what pertained to
a common stock, or what belonged to one in
whose employ we are - as the embezzlement of
public funds. Here it means that the servant
was not to apply to his own use what
belonged to his master; that is, was not to
pilfer - a vice to which, as all know,
servants, and especially slaves, are
particularly exposed; see the word explained
in the notes at Acts 5:2 [the
Ananias and Sapphira story]. But showing all good fidelity - In laboring, and in taking care of the property entrusted to them. That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things - That they may show the fair influence of religion on them, in all respects, making them industrious, honest, kind, and obedient. They were to show that the effect of the religion which they professed was to make them better fitted to discharge the duties of their station in life, however humble; or that its influence on them was desirable in every respect. In this way, they might hope also that the minds of their masters might be reached, and that they might be brought to respect and love the gospel. Hence, learn: (1) that one in the most humble walk of life may so live as to be an ornament to religion, as well as one favored with more advantages. (2) that servants may do much good, by so living as to show to all around them that there is a reality in the gospel, and to lead others to love it. (3) if in this situation of life, it is a duty so to live as to adorn religion, it cannot be less so in more elevated situations. A master should feel the obligation not to be surpassed in religious character by his servant. ~ Barnes Notes |
Now the JFB commentary as we continue in our key
verse today...
professing — Greek,
“promising”: engaging to follow.
with good works — The Greek preposition is not the
same as in 1 Timothy 2:9; “by means of,” or “through
good works.” Their adorning is to be effected by
means of good works: not that they are to be clothed
in, or with, them (Ephesians 2:10). Works, not words
in public, is their province (1 Timothy 2:8, 1
Timothy 2:11, 1 Timothy 2:12; 1 Peter 3:1). Works
are often mentioned in the Pastoral Epistles in
order to oppose the loose living, combined with the
loose doctrine, of the false teachers. The discharge
of everyday duties is honored with the designation,
“good works.” ~Jamieson,
Fausset, Brown
Quoted verses:
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
unto good works, which God hath before ordained that
we should walk in them.
Let us look at the commentary on this verse:
| For we are his
workmanship - We are his “making” -
poiēma. That is, we are “created or formed”
by him, not only in the general sense in
which all things are made by him, but in
that special sense which is denoted by the
new creation; see the notes at 2 Corinthians
5:17. Whatever of peace, or hope, or purity
we have, has been produced by his agency on
the soul. There cannot be conceived to be a
stronger expression to denote the agency of
God in the conversion of people, or the fact
that salvation is wholly of grace. Created in Christ Jesus - On the word “created,” see the notes at 2 Corinthians 5:17. Quoted verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. The commentary for the word, "created" arises from the commentary on the phrase, "a new creature." A new creature - Margin, “Let him be.” This is one of the instances in which the margin has given a less correct translation than is in the text. The idea evidently is, not that he ought to be a new creature, but that he is in fact; not that he ought to live as becomes a new creature - which is true enough - but that he will in fact live in that way, and manifest the characteristics of the new creation. ~Barnes Notes Now continuing in the commentary on Ephesians 2:10... Unto good works - With reference to a holy life; or, the design for which we have been created in Christ is, that we should lead a holy life. The primary object was not to bring us to [the Kingdom]. It was that we should be “holy.” Paul held perhaps more firmly than any other man, to the position that people are saved by the mere grace of God, and by a divine agency on the soul; but it is certain that no man ever held more firmly that people must lead holy lives, or they could have no evidence that they were the children of God. Which God hath before ordained - Margin, “prepared.” The word here used means to “prepare beforehand,” then to predestinate, or appoint before. The proper meaning of this passage is, “to which hois [Greek] - good works God has predestinated us, or appointed us beforehand, that we should walk in them.” The word used here - proetoimazō - occurs in the New Testament nowhere else except in Romans 9:23, where it is rendered “had afore prepared.” It involves the idea of a previous determination, or an arrangement beforehand for securing a certain result. The previous preparation here referred to was, the divine intention; and the meaning is, that God had predetermined that we should lead holy lives. It accords, therefore, with the declaration in Ephesians 1:4, that he had chosen his people before the foundation of the world that they should be holy: see the notes at that verse. That we should walk in them - That we should live holy lives. The word “walk” is often used in the Scriptures to denote the course of life; notes on Romans 6:4. |
1 Peter 3:1
...also mentioned in the
JFB commentary on "with
good works."
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own
husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also
may without the word be won by the conversation of
the wives.
Let us look at the commentary on this one...
| Likewise, ye
wives, be in subjection to your own husbands
- On the duty here enjoined, see the 1
Corinthians 11:3-9 notes, and Ephesians 5:22
note. Quoted verses: 1 Corinthians 11:3-9 3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. That, if any obey not the word - The word of God; the gospel. That is, if any wives have husbands who are not true Christians. This would be likely to occur when the gospel was first preached, as it does now, by the fact that wives might be converted, though their husbands were not. It cannot be inferred from this, that after they themselves had become Christians they had married unbelieving husbands. The term “word” here refers particularly to the gospel as preached; and the idea is, that if they were regardless of that gospel when preached - if they would not attend on preaching, or if they were unaffected by it, or if they openly rejected it, there might be hope still that they would be converted by the Christian influence of a wife at home. In such cases, a duty of special importance devolves on the wife. They also may without the word be won - In some other way than by preaching. This I does not mean that they would be converted independently of the influence of truth - for truth is always the instrument of conversion, James 1:18; John 17:17; but that it was to be by another influence than preaching. Quoted verses: James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. By the conversation of the wives - By the conduct or deportment of their wives. See the notes at Philippians 1:27. The word conversation, in the Scriptures, is never confined, as it is now with us, to oral discourse, but denotes conduct in general. It includes indeed “conversation” as the word is now used, but it embraces also much more - including everything that we do. The meaning here is, that the habitual deportment of the wife was to be such as to show the reality and power of religion; to show that it had such influence on her temper, her words, her whole deportment, as to demonstrate that it was from God. ~Barnes Notes Quote verse: Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; ~Barnes Notes |
Let us finish in the Treasury of Scriptural
Knowledge
women professing godliness:
1 Peter 3:3-5
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning
of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of
putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that
which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a
meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God
of great price.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy
women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves,
being in subjection unto their own husbands:
2 Peter 3:11
Seeing then that all these things shall be
dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in
all holy conversation and godliness,
with good works:
1 Timothy 5:6-10
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she
liveth.
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be
blameless.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially
for those of his own house, he hath denied the
faith, and is worse than an infidel.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under
threescore years old, having been the wife of one
man,
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have
brought up children, if she have lodged strangers,
if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have
relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently
followed every good work.
Proverbs 31:31
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own
works praise her in the gates.
Acts 9:36
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named
Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas:
this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds
which she did.
Acts 9:39
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was
come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and
all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the
coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was
with them.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
unto good works, which God hath before ordained that
we should walk in them.
Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us
from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a
peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 3:8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will
that thou affirm constantly, that they which have
believed in God might be careful to maintain good
works. These things are good and profitable unto
men.
1 Peter 2:12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles:
that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers,
they may by your good works, which they shall
behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
2 Peter 1:6-8
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance
patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to
brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they
make you that ye shall neither be barren nor
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Revelation 2:19
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and
faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last
to be more than the first.