The first epistle of Timothy gives us instruction about church order.  As we read in 1 Timothy 3:15, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

With this in mind, let us read 1 Timothy 2:9-15 to see about church order related to women.  “Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint (NASB).”

The quiet role of women in the church may cause some to think that women have a less important church role than men.  1 Timothy 2:15 shows that this is not true.  Women’s position of importance in the church is “preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”  This verse is not a guarantee that all godly women will survive childbearing since there have been godly women who have died in childbirth.  This verse is also not saying that a woman receives eternal salvation through giving birth since that would be a work and salvation is “not of works” (Ephesians 2:9).

However, when we look at the context of 1 Timothy 2:15, we see that this passage is giving instruction about church order related to women.  If a woman lives a life of faith, love, and sanctity with self-restraint, then those values will be passed onto her children.  In this way she has tremendous influence in the church and plays an invaluable role.  Her role is less public than a man’s role in the church, but it is NO LESS IMPORTANT OR INFLUENTIAL.  Thank God for godly women!  Your role and work for the Lord is extremely valuable and much appreciated.  (208.7)  (DJ)