1 Timoteo 2:10 Commento

In this chapter Paul treats, I. Of prayer, with many reasons for it (Ti1 2:1-8). II. Of women's apparel (Ti1 2:9, Ti1 2:10). III. Of their subjection, with the reasons of it (Ti1 2:11-14). IV. A promise given for their encouragement in child-bearing (Ti1 2:15).

INTRODUCTION TO 1 TIMOTHY 2 In this chapter the apostle exhorts to prayer for all sorts of men, gives rules and directions about the dress of women, and their subjection to their husbands; and concludes with some comfort to them. The apostle exhorts to prayer in the first place, directs to the several parts and branches of prayer, and points to the persons to be prayed for, and what should be prayed for on their account, Ti1 2:1. And next follow the reasons or arguments engaging to it, which are taken from the agreeableness of it in the sight of God; from the will of God, that all men should be saved: from there being but one God of all, and one Mediator between God and men; from Christ's giving himself a ransom price for all; and from the apostle being a preacher of the Gospel to the Gentiles, as well as Jews, Ti1 2:3 wherefore he concludes and determines, according to his apostolical power and authority, that prayer be made in any place, provided there were faith and purity, and wrath and doubting were laid aside, Ti1 2:8. Also, he exhorts women to appear, especially in public service, in a modest and becoming dress, and to adorn themselves with good works, Ti1 2:9, and that they should be silent learners, and not teachers, and be in subjection to their husbands, Ti1 2:11. The reasons of which subjection are taken from the formation of Adam before Eve, and from Eve's being deceived, and not Adam, Ti1 2:13. However, for the comfort of women, it is observed, that though in sorrow they bring forth children, yet through the birth of a Son, the promised Messiah, they shall be saved, who continue in faith, charity, and holiness, with sobriety, Ti1 2:15.

Let the woman learn in silence,.... The apostle goes on to give some other instructions to women, how they should behave themselves in public worship, in the church of God; he would have them be learners and not teachers, sit and hear, and learn more of Christ, and of the truth of the Gospel, and to maintain good works; and he would have them learn in silence, and not offer to rise and speak, under a pretence of having a word from the Lord, or of being under an impulse of the Spirit of the Lord, as some frantic women have done; and if they should meet with anything, under the ministry of the word, they did not understand, or they had an objection to, they were not to speak in public, but ask their own husbands at home; see Co1 14:34. And thus, they were to behave with all subjection; both to the ministers of the word, and to their own husbands; obeying from the heart the form of doctrine delivered to them; and submitting cheerfully to the ordinances of Christ; the whole of which is a professed subjection to the Gospel, and which becomes all professing godliness.

Gems and gold and costly garments and lavish, embroidered flowers of various colors and anything else perishable in nature in no way adorn souls. But the following do: fasts, holy vigils, gentleness, reasonableness, poverty, courage, humility, patience—in a word, disdain for everything passing in this life.

Paul however requires something more of women, that they adorn themselves "in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair or gold or pearls or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." But what is this "modest apparel"? Such attire as covers them completely, and decently, not with superfluous ornaments, for the one is becoming, the other is not.

Thou hast Christ for thy Bridegroom, O virgin, why dost thou seek to attract human lovers? He will judge thee as an adulteress. Why dost thou not wear the ornament that is pleasing to Him; modesty, chastity, orderliness, and sober apparel? This is meretricious, and disgraceful. We can no longer distinguish harlots and virgins, to such indecency have they advanced. A virgin's dress should not be studied, but plain, and without labor; but now they have many artifices to make their dress conspicuous. O woman, cease from this folly. Transfer this care to thy soul, to the inward adorning. For the outward ornament that invests thee, suffers not that within to become beautiful. He that is concerned for that which is without, despises that which is within, even as he that is unconcerned about the exterior, bestows all his care upon the interior.

Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves in respectable clothing, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly clothing, but, as be appropriate women who profess godliness, with good works. Likewise, I want the women. That is, I wish for them to raise their hands in holiness without anger or argument. Women require more than anything else to be adorned modestly. But the phrase, respectable clothing, clearly means to be covered on all sides; he says it properly, not excessively, so as to please those who see it. with modesty and self-control. Therefore, do not imitate those who are loved with a lustful desire, who look shamelessly and in the manner of high-class prostitutes. not with braided hair. For you have not come to a theater, Paul says. You have come to weep for your sins. Luxury is not the attire of one in prayer, nor is your worldly arrogance fitting for one mourning their sins. But if these things, which only display wealth, are prohibited: much more so the curious and perverse things such as the staining of the cheeks, painted eyes, renown walk, a broken voice, a wondering and curious eye, the raising of a prostitute's garment, a more elaborate belt, ripped shoes. For all these things, in other words, say, "in respectable clothing," he cast out. That teachers ought to be men, and not women, because of nature and the affection that arises from error.

For you are going to pray, not to dance. Why then do you contrive braiding of the hair on your head, curling locks, hanging precious stones here, surrounding yourself with them on all sides there, and attaching still others to your shoes — what is this if not the utmost disgrace? And is not this through the tears of the poor, of widows and orphans? You deprive the widow of poor, simple clothing in order to trample pearls underfoot! Is not the longsuffering of God already great enough? You went with the intention of asking for the forgiveness of sins, yet you adorn yourself as though you were going out on stage! Fine indeed is the contrition of heart, and God will undoubtedly hear you, drenched as you are in the tears of the poor. But if Paul forbids even that which merely serves as a sign of wealth, how much more that which pertains to excessive vanity — such as, for example, the rouging of cheeks, the painting of eyes, an affected voice, a languishing gaze, and the rest.

But is this a sin? The answer, according to Augustine, is that two things must be considered in regard to woman's adornment, namely, simple adornment and paint. She is adorned simply by her attire, and gold, and such of the kind. But there can be sin associated with this for three reasons: first, from an evil intention; for example, if she intends to arouse concupiscence, make a display, or seek vainglory: a woman in harlot's attire is prepared to deceive souls (Prov 7:10). Second, if it is done beyond the customs of the country; for that which is beyond the customs of the country proceeds from levity of mind. Third, if she goes beyond the condition of her state. But if it is done with the right intention in accordance with the customs of the country and with the condition of her state, there is no sin. In regard to paint, however, it is a sin. For women are not permitted to be decorated except for men; and men do not wish to be deceived, when women in paint appear before them. Therefore, let there be no such adornment but as becomes women professing godliness. For the outward acts of a man are a clue to the inner man, as the habits of religious and clerics testify to their state. Hence if the external does not agree with the internal, there is pretense; and the same is true of other internal works. For internally we should cultivate godliness, i.e., the worship of God; but externally to show by good works what is conformed to godliness; and to present ourselves externally as we are internally. Or, I say that women should not adorn themselves outwardly except as becomes women professing godliness, i.e., who ought to profess their godliness by good works: the attire of the body, and the laughter of the teeth, and the gait of the man, show what he is (Sir 19:27).

Prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, must be made for all men; because God will that all should be saved, Ti1 2:1-4. There is but one God and one Mediator, Ti1 2:5-7. How men should pray, Ti1 2:8. How women should adorn themselves, Ti1 2:9, Ti1 2:10. They are not suffered to teach, nor to nor to usurp authority over men, Ti1 2:11-14. How they may expect to be saved in child-bearing, Ti1 2:15.

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.

PUBLIC WORSHIP. DIRECTION AS TO INTERCESSIONS FOR ALL MEN, SINCE CHRIST IS A RANSOM FOR ALL. THE DUTIES OF MEN AND WOMEN RESPECTIVELY IN RESPECT TO PUBLIC PRAYER. WOMAN'S SUBJECTION; HER SPHERE OF DUTY. (Ti1 2:1-15) therefore--taking up again the general subject of the Epistle in continuation (Ti2 2:1). "What I have therefore to say to thee by way of a charge (Ti1 1:3, Ti1 1:18), is," &c. that, first of all . . . be made--ALFORD takes it, "I exhort first of all to make." "First of all," doubtless, is to be connected with "I exhort"; what I begin with (for special reasons), is . . . As the destruction of Jerusalem drew near, the Jews (including those at Ephesus) were seized with the dream of freedom from every yoke; and so virtually "'blasphemed" (compare Ti1 1:20) God's name by "speaking evil of dignities" (Ti1 6:1; Pe2 2:10; Jde 1:8). Hence Paul, in opposition, gives prominence to the injunction that prayer be made for all men, especially for magistrates and kings (Tit 3:1-3) [OLSHAUSEN]. Some professing Christians looked down on all not Christians, as doomed to perdition; but Paul says all men are to be prayed for, as Christ died for all (Ti1 2:4-6). supplications--a term implying the suppliant's sense of need, and of his own insufficiency. prayers--implying devotion. intercessions--properly the coming near to God with childlike confidence, generally in behalf of another. The accumulation of terms implies prayer in its every form and aspect, according to all the relations implied in it.

professing--Greek, "promising": engaging to follow. with good works--The Greek preposition is not the same as in Ti1 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 (Eph 2:10). Works, not words in public, is their province (Ti1 2:8, Ti1 2:11-12; Pe1 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."