1 Timothy 2:8-15

2:8-15 | The twenty-first century reader may find this section difficult to understand, but these are instructions about the corporate worship of the church.

2:8 | Although it was traditional practice for Jewish men to pray with their arms lifted up and their hands open (Ps. 134:2), this verse suggests that believers should have something more than a prayer posture. Holy hands represent an “innocent or blameless” life, one untarnished by anger or interpersonal conflicts (Ps. 66:18).

2:9-10 | In the wealthy city of Ephesus, Gentile women competed for attention with elaborate hairstyles, extravagant jewelry, and costly clothing – practices that were probably encouraged by the false teaching there. Paul had dealt with a similar issue in Corinth (1 Cor. 11). Paul’s instruction to woman should not be read overly literally, as a prohibition of jewelry or nice clothing today. It simply means that modesty, godliness, and good works are the proper attire for worship – and for life (1 Pet. 3:3-4).

2:11-12 | In Paul’s day Jewish women were not allowed to study the Scriptures or to worship with men. But the false teachers in Ephesus seem to have encouraged women to flaunt their freedom and act disruptively. Christian worship was expected to avoid both extremes, permitting women to worship, pray, and learn together with men. Still, Paul affirms that worship must be done “decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40), with women being taught by the men when the entire church gathers together.

2:12-14 | Adam sinned with full knowledge of what he was doing (Rom. 5:12), thus abdicating his role as a leader. So even though Eve was deceived and was the first to eat the forbidden fruit, the ultimate responsibility for sin fell to Adam because he willingly chose to disobey God. The order of creation (Gen. 1-2) is likewise violated when women act disruptively or assume authority over men in church.

2:13-14 | That Adam was formed first and not deceived affirms only that the man has a God-given headship; it is not a statement of his superiority.