In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he calls him “my true child in the faith.”  paul had great affection for Timothy, and had entrusted him with much important work. He had sent him to the Thessalonians when he had been concerned about their faith. He had left him at Ephesus, where one of his most cherished bodies of brethren dwelled. Now his encouragement for his young companion in this letter comes not only with discussion of the mistakes and sins of those they both know, but also with instruction for those things the brethren will most need from Timothy.

Rembrandt’s Timothy and his grandmother, 1648. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chapter two contains scripture that is most often misunderstood, and even maligned or flatly ignored — especially in this age. In the middle of telling Timothy how men should behave, he talks about how women should adorn themselves modestly. Of course, dressing modestly is certainly expected of both men and women even today. But the description Paul gives here is a warning against the way that women were dressing and behaving in those days as part of a “new Roman woman” movement of the day.

The movement was one that encouraged such women to both dress and behave in a sexually provocative manner, as well as assert themselves into situations that were taboo for the times. The admonishment for women not to teach or exercise authority over a man (verse 12) clearly refers to the assembly (worship) — not in everyday life. This can be seen from the context, which is set in verse 8.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Tim 1, 1 Tim 2, 1 Tim 3, 1 Tim 4, 1 Tim 5

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

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All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.