Powerful Characteristics of Becoming a Godly Woman | 1 Timothy 2:9-11 Exposition

#1 A GODLY WOMAN IS UNHINDERED IN WORSHIP

Paul begins with “likewise”, which literally means “similarly” in Greek. The assumption of scholars on this is that false teachers have been stirring up women to pursue improper roles within the body.

This is one of the enemies’ tactics…to twist and pervert the roles God has assigned to men and women.

Paul exhorts us with the first advice of becoming a Godly Woman; constant worship. A worship that does not get hindered by circumstances or emotions. Paul begins with telling Ephesus, and to us all today, that the inside, spiritually, makes a difference on how we live for God. The change we witness within ought to pour outward resulting in a desire to live for God’s glory and serve Him for a lifetime. Paul starts to explain to the women first that we ought to carry out two attitudes to making everyday a life lived out in worship: “modestly and discreetly”. 

#2 A GODLY WOMAN EXHIBITS MODESTY

Now we move to the second advice, modestly. Upon becoming a godly woman, Paul says that the women of the church are to adorn themselves modestly and discreetly.These two words (modestly and discreetly) are used to emphasize our effect on others. When you portray modesty, you are diminishing attention upon yourself. The word implies an attitude focused on the needs of others. 

Paul says rather than making a claim to godliness on the basis of wealth or beauty, women should make their claim based on godliness. This is Paul’s point to the church, he’s simply asking women to restrain themselves from seeking approval and attention in worldly ways. 

#3 A GODLY WOMAN EXHIBITS RESTRAINT (self-control)

 The second point of Paul’s exhortation for a godly woman is restraint aka self-control. If we go a little further in the passage and look at verse 15, Paul says, 

Many take Paul’s words and confuse themself with them. So let’s take a deeper look at this. Paul was advising that women are to remain quiet. The context is speaking of a classroom or a setting where teaching is taking place and the teacher being a man. In that setting, Paul said that women were speaking to challenge the teacher’s authority. To teach refers to the woman seeking to teach from her place in the audience. 

It was a custom for those who attended to ask questions of the teacher and raise some points. But a woman was not permitted to do so. The Greek word translated authority (in verse 12) is not a normal word used for authority. It refers to the connotation of taking a position of power or misappropriating authority as in to assert one’s will over another in an arrogant way.

Returning to verse 9 about restraint. When you portray discreetly, you are concealing something of yourself from public inspection. Like stated above in point, the word implies an attitude focused on the needs of others. 

The point Paul is making is that he simply asks women to restrain from seeking approval and attention in worldly ways. Paul says rather than making a claim to godliness on the basis of wealth or beauty, women should make their claim based on godliness, this is our next advice on becoming a Godly woman. 

#4 A GODLY WOMEN OPENLY EXHIBIT GODLINESS

In our culture today women are often encouraged to find their own way. To invest in building their own careers and be independent and love whomever they want. They are encouraged by society to give up their own children on another’s influence and care so they can do whatever pleases them and their desires. Many stay at home Momma’s can testify that they feel like they are looked down upon when they mention they are “homemakers”.

Paul goes on to say in verse 15,

John McArthur comments on this passage, “While a woman may have led the human race into sin, women have the privilege of leading many out of sin to godliness.” 

Think about it, mothers have a unique bond with children. I, myself, do not have children of my own. But when I am in the presence of my nieces and nephews, or even surrounded by my Church kids, I have a tendency to help them think and understand who Jesus is. Regardless of their age. Women in general spend more time with children. 

Paul is speaking in general terms here. We know this because of his response to marriage in 1 Cor 7. Not all women are to be married and have children. But nonetheless, these women who are called to embrace singleness still exhibit godliness in the form of their responsibility to God. In other words, Paul says that when you are married and have children, your responsibility is divided to tend to their husband and children. Those who remain single have full attention and full responsibility to God. With that being, they too are able to exhibit godliness in good works. 

To sum it all up, God wants us women to stand out in society- in the culture. We are called to be prayerful, patient, submissive, gentle and what we discussed today–a godly woman is unhindered by worship; godly women willingly choose modesty; godly woman discipline themselves in self-restraint, aka self-control; godly woman exhibit godliness in good works. I pray for your household and your walk with the Lord. May He continue to prune, sanctify, and grow you in the knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May God richly bless you and your family. 

Until next time, enjoy these resources and citations. 

Want to know more about becoming a godly woman, read “Living a Successful Sacrificial Life”.

Commentaries

~Verse by Verse Ministry- Stephen Armstrong Commentary
~John Barnett- BIBLICAL MASCULINITY & FEMININITY–Young Ladies Should See Their Mothers As Sensible & Pure