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Paul writes the book of I Timothy to one of His personal converts, Timothy, who is pastoring his first church. Chapter one deals with "The Glorious Gospel" according to verse (11), salvation is the subject of this chapter. In chapter three Paul gives the outline of one’s life, that desires to serve the Lord in leadership. Every one that has been saved according to chapter one, should have a desire to serve God according to chapter three. But amazing to me, is the content of chapter two. Within this chapter Paul gives us a list of standards for the women, I wonder why this list is given in this chapter? Because Paul knew that no matter how much a man wanted to serve God, he would be hindered if his wife was not in submission to the scriptures. If women, as a whole, would only realize how important they are to the labor of their husbands in the service of the Lord, it would change the spirit of our homes and churches.

I can think of many men right now that love the Lord and want to do His will. They would make any sacrifice for His service, but they are ruined because of a wife that is a rebel. A man came to me not long ago and said "I have tried to pastor for 35 years, and my wife has fought me every step of the way. My church has suffered, and my children are lost!" How sad to pay such a great price for rebellion and self.

Many great men in the Bible had problems with their mate. Moses, David, Job, Samson, Hosea are just a few. I have heard that behind every great man you will find a great woman, but the Bible does not back up that statement. Many men have never met their full potential for the Lord because of the hindrance of a wicked wife.

Notice in our text verses that when God was explaining the roll of a woman in the church, He went all the way back to the first woman ever created, Eve. Why did the Holy Spirit put Eve within this context? It was to show us that women have not changed since they were created. Just as the Devil used Eve to hinder Adam's service for the Lord, the Devil will use the weaker vessel today to detour your work for God. To reveal the woman's heart, God gives us some areas of her life He wants under control. Rebellion against these standards is a direct revelation to the fact that there is a heart problem. (Now, women, don’t start swelling up and breathing hard in anger and resentment.)

1. Apparel is first in verse 9. God said that a woman that has a tender heart, and wants her husband to be a servant for the Lord, should dress right. The hottest issue in our churches today is still women wearing pants. Many preachers have now started letting their own wives wear them because they are tired of the fight. How selfish for a woman to hinder a church, hurt her husband, and disgrace the cause of Christ, just because she wants to wear men’s apparel.

2. Actions follow in verse 10. Paul mentions that a woman should be known by her "good works." This could have two meanings, first that her actions should be Godly, second that she should not be lazy, but active in service herself.

3. Attitude comes next, verse 11. God not only wants our actions right, he also wants our attitudes right. This verse is dealing with submission; a willingness to obey from the heart. She should be trusting her husband to do right and make the right decisions for his home and service.

4. Authority in verse 12. God has already dealt with submission in verse 11. Why mention authority in verse 12? Verse 11 deals with the home and other areas of her life; verse 12 deals with the church. God has never put a woman in leadership within the church. She is never to have authority over the man in the house of God.

Eve again is our example, women will decide by emotion rather than truth, which would lead the church into heresy and chaos. I am not a woman hater, I treat my wife with the utmost respect and love. I spoil her with attention and affection. I would never condone anyone mistreating his wife. It's finding your proper place in the service of the Lord, and working together to glorify His name.

Evangelist Phil Kidd,
Ammory, MS.