INSTRUCTIONS ON WORSHIP

Passage: 1 Timothy 2:8-15

Key verse: 8

NIV

8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands(A) without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,(B) 10 but with good deeds,(C) appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

11 A woman[a] should learn in quietness and full submission.(D) 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;[b] she must be quiet.(E) 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.(F) 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.(G) 15 But women[c] will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love(H) and holiness with propriety.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 2:11 Or wife; also in verse 12
  2. 1 Timothy 2:12 Or over her husband
  3. 1 Timothy 2:15 Greek she
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

8 I desire then that (A)in every place the men should pray, (B)lifting (C)holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also (D)that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 (E)but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly (F)with all submissiveness. 12 (G)I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 (H)For Adam was formed first, (I)then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but (J)the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through (K)childbearing—if they continue in (L)faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Paul addresses the problems specific to the church in Ephesus. Firstly, the men should stop arguing over pointless controversies that bring down the church and hinder the work of God. They should lift their holy hands in prayer. Let us choose prayer and unity, instead of falling into an angry, quarrelsome spirit, so that God’s word can spread. It takes faith and repentance to turn away from destructive talk and to, instead, be united in prayer. May God help us pray together with our holy hands lifted up.

Paul then instructs the women not to dress up in fancy, expensive clothes or hairstyles for worship service. Showing off is inappropriate for worship. Rather, Paul encourages them to do good deeds, which are appropriate for women of faith, and have an eternal beauty and truly dignifies them.

Next, Paul orders that women be quiet and obedient and not to teach men. In Ephesus, powerful, rich women were controlling the church leaders. Paul taught them Genesis to help them understand Biblical manhood and womanhood. Women are entrusted with children to instruct and to raise up with love, faith, and holiness.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the privilege to worship you with your people. Bless us to be united in prayer and to do good works that build up others.

One Word: Lift up holy hands in prayer and be united as one voice for God’s glory