1 Timothy 2
I’m going to confess that I am very
tempted to focus on the first half of this chapter. I like writing about lifting up holy hands,
praying for rulers, and the amazing message of Jesus’ mediation between us and
God. These are all great topics. However, I feel compelled to write about the
part of the chapter I don’t like … the part about women.
The first thing that needs to be said
about Paul’s comments about women is that he is not a misogynist, as he has
been accused. This is clear from his
interaction with women in Acts and
the important role they play in the founding of church and spread of the
Gospel. It is clear that they held
leadership roles and were essential to the sharing the Gospel of Jesus’
salvation during Paul’s ministry – and still do/are.
The second thing that needs to be said
is that I’m not completely comfortable with everything Paul says about
submissiveness and exercising authority.
The third thing that absolutely needs to
be said is that it doesn’t matter if I am (or you are) comfortable with
this. This is God’s Word. We don’t get to wrap it to fit our
preferences, but we conform to it.
The comments about braids, gold, pearls
and fancy clothes are lessons we grab easily.
We are more concerned about a woman’s character than her looks – the same
is true for men. Form should not trump
substance. That is not to say that
dressing nicely or using makeup is wrong, just that these are not the most
important thing.
The part about submissiveness is less
comfortable to our modern ears. For all
its boasting about feminism, our society does not honor femininity but only
tries to make women more like men (and men like women). It degrades motherhood and praises the
diminishing of family. The truth is that
God intended for men and women to be different – and the difference is good.
God has different roles for men and women – and that too is good, rooted
in his plan of creation. We should
celebrate those good differences – not subjugating or demeaning anyone, but honoring
the unique gifts given to each gender and person.
Lord, this is confusing and hard. Help me to hear, believe, and fathom Your
will for us as people You made male and female.
Amen.
Comments