My Notes
What Does 1 Timothy 2:10 Mean?
"But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." Paul defines the APPROPRIATE adornment for women who profess godliness: not elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing (verse 9) — but GOOD WORKS. The external adornment is replaced by the BEHAVIORAL adornment. The decoration that befits a godly woman isn't on the BODY but in the LIFE. The good works ARE the jewelry. The actions ARE the clothing.
The phrase "which becometh women professing godliness" (ho prepei gynaixin epangellomenais theosebeian — what is fitting for women promising/professing God-reverence) sets the STANDARD by the PROFESSION: the women in question PROFESS godliness — they CLAIM reverence for God. The 'becometh' (prepei — is fitting, is appropriate, is suitable) asks: what MATCHES the claim? What SUITS the profession? The answer: good works. The external should MATCH the internal claim. The adornment should SUIT the profession.
The "with good works" (di' ergōn agathōn — through good works) makes the WORKS the decoration: the preposition 'through' (dia) means GOOD WORKS are the MEDIUM of the adornment. The woman who professes godliness DECORATES herself through acts of service, generosity, compassion, and faithfulness. The works are the beauty. The service is the jewelry. The good deeds are the clothing that MATCHES the godliness-claim.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What adorns your profession of godliness — external display or good works?
- 2.What does the adornment MATCHING the profession teach about consistency?
- 3.How does good works being the 'jewelry' redefine beauty for the godly?
- 4.What good works would better adorn your claim of reverence for God?
Devotional
What BEFITS a woman who professes godliness? Not gold. Not pearls. Not expensive clothing. GOOD WORKS. The adornment that matches the profession is BEHAVIORAL, not decorative. The jewelry of the godly woman is her SERVICE. The clothing of the reverent woman is her ACTIONS. Good works ARE the beauty.
The 'which becometh women professing godliness' sets the CONSISTENCY standard: the question is about MATCHING — does your external presentation MATCH your internal profession? You profess godliness. Does your APPEARANCE match the claim? Paul's answer isn't about modesty-rules in the abstract. It's about CONSISTENCY: the external should match the internal. The decoration should suit the declaration.
The 'with good works' makes the adornment ACTIVE, not passive: the decoration isn't something you PUT ON (like jewelry). It's something you DO (like service). The good works are PERFORMED, not worn. The beauty is LIVED, not displayed. The woman who professes godliness adorns herself by ACTING — by serving, by giving, by doing the good that her profession promises.
The contrast (verse 9 — braided hair, gold, pearls, costly array) isn't about FORBIDDING beauty. It's about REDEFINING it: the cultural beauty of the Roman world (elaborate hairstyles, expensive jewelry) is contrasted with the KINGDOM beauty (good works). The cultural adornment draws attention to the WEARER. The kingdom adornment draws attention to the GOD the wearer professes. The good works point AWAY from self and TOWARD the godliness being claimed.
What adorns YOUR profession of godliness — external decoration or good works?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Let the woman learn in silence,.... The apostle goes on to give some other instructions to women, how they should behave…
with good works}But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works - That is, it is not appropriate for…
But (which becometh, etc. - That is: Good works are the only ornaments with which women professing Christianity should…
I. Here is a charge, that women who profess the Christian religion should be modest, sober, silent, and submissive, as…
which becometh women professing godliness Best as A.V. and R.V. forming a parenthesis to justify the boldness of the…
Cross References
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