Lives Not Lips! 1 Timothy 2:9-15

It is easier to glorify the Lord with our lips than with our lives!

Likewise… what? Like I want the men to praise me without hypocrisy, wrath, and dissension… I want women to adorn themselves –With proper clothing –With modesty –With discreetness With Modesty = “repulsed by dishonor” –Parallels the word “dignity” used earlier With Discreetness –Sophrosyne: avoids bringing attention to herself.

Likewise… what? “Not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or costly garments.” –Nothing that is improper for a woman of God. –Nothing undignified or disrespectful. –Nothing that brings attention to herself. Not drawing attention to ourselves is a maxim of the Bible: all attention belongs to God. Note: we can go the opposite direction and still draw attention away from God.

Works of Godliness Verses describe these works! Verse 11 has upset a lot of women. –Irony, the word “quietly” means “contently.” –“Let a woman receive instruction with contentment and with entire submissiveness.” –Submissiveness is doing what others need you to do. That can be in a “lording over” style prohibited by God. That can be an act of humility, viewing others as more important than yourself (Phil 2:4).

Let a woman be content with accepting instructions on how to humbly serve others.

“I love learning how God wants me to serve others!”

Not to teach or have authority over a man. Paul appeals to Creation, not the Fall, first. –Man was created first (Gen. 2:7-9) –Woman was created to help man (Gen. 2:18) –Woman is not inferior to man, but she is indeed different in every respect, including function. Then Paul appeals to the Fall. –Woman was first deceived.

While this verse focuses on women, the underlying question is: “Can we be content with God’s will, even when He calls us to be submissive?” Not to teach or have authority over a man, but to be content.

And what is God’s will? Women are saved through childbirth! Are all women who have babies going to heaven? IF they fulfill God’s ordained purpose, and IF they continue in faith, love, and sanctity WITH sophrosyne! ( self-restraint, discreetness ) –Making sure God is glorified and not themselves!

God’s created order brings glory to God. When man doesn’t live by God’s plan, we bring disorder and sin upon ourselves and the church.

And why would we do that? Because we aren’t “content” with God’s will and plan for our lives!

Are you content to live your life by the will and Word of God?