Timothy, Tell the Wives to Be Faithful and Godly (1 Timothy 3:11)

"In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything."

(1 Timothy 3:11, NIV)

The word used here is sometimes translated as "deaconess," but it merely means "women." The qualifications mentioned should certainly characterize the wives of both bishops (the leaders) and deacons (the helpers). If you read "In the same way," it means it is very connected with the previous verse, and so, it is evident that "women" here refer and applicable to any Christian leaders' wives who may have or have no leadership positions in the church. There are four (4) qualifications given by Paul here:

1) Worthy of Respect

2) Not Malicious Talkers

3) Temperate

4) Trustworthy in Everything

To me, the last qualifications embrace the entire scope of her life and service – "trustworthy [or faithful] in everything." She is to be faithful to her husband, loyal in how she serves others, devoted to the ministry and family, and committed to God. Such a woman will not be malicious talkers or gossipers, having self-control, worthy of respect, and a place of leadership.

H.A. Ironside commented on this verse: "In as much as [the leaders] have to do with the temporal affairs of the church, their wives are likely to cause endless trouble unless they are wise, godly women. If the wife is a busybody, she can destroy very easily her husband's influence for good.” But if the wife has all four qualifications or characteristics like above, Ironside says, "A wife like this is a great asset to any man." So, women, wives, or wife-to-be, are you the husband's great asset or liability? A great supporter or hindrance to the ministry? A husband's helper or the Devil's instrument of slander?

Men or husbands – leaders – are you modeling
and exampling godly manhood to your partner?

It should start with you first.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Timothy, Tell the Women to Be Modest in Their Appearance (1 Timothy 2:9-10, Women Only)

“And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do”
(1 Timothy 2:9-10, NLT)

Here is a passage that women (and men too!) would like to shy away from in this day in which we live. Read these verses over and over again and let God’s Word say exactly what it say to you, and “remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to” (James 1:22). But let the ladies be glad and rejoice for Paul doesn’t mean that a woman is not to be attractive. What he says is that women shouldn’t be seductive (tempting, enticing, and causing someone to sin), instead, they “should make themselves attractive.” Seductive, no; attractive, yes! I believe that there is nothing wrong for a woman to be beautiful outwardly. As a man, I have to admit, my first impression toward a woman is her appearances, decency and appropriateness.

Having said that, let me now point out that a woman – Christian woman, especially – must guard her God-given modesty. God is creation has made the man to be drawn to the woman physically and the woman need to recognize this and dress in such a manner as to guard her modesty. Woman are usually much more fashion-conscious than are men in general. There is nothing wrong with fashion or style. However, as for Paul, it is not a mere matter of fashion or style, but what he wrote here is a definite moral and spiritual issues which is at stake. God says thru Paul that a woman is to be modest. Society today, on the other hand, says a woman is to be liberated, free and self-expressive in their appearances. To some extent, it’s true. But you – woman – have to decide whether you are going to obey God and be right with Him or be conform to the world.

Paul is not saying in this passage, as some mistakenly interpret, that a woman is not to wear any gold, pearl, fix her hair or wear expensive clothing (of course you may, if you can afford it). All he says is that these things are not to be her most attractive side. These are not to be the things that “draw attention” to her. This passage is in the context of worship service… and it would be a disaster if people draw attention to you rather than to God!

So what should make a Christian woman attractive? Her good deeds. “For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.” Attractiveness should begin inside a woman. NLT Life Application Study Bible comment on this passage: “A gentle, modest, loving character gives a light to the face that cannot be duplicated by the best cosmetics and jewellery in the world. A carefully groomed and well-decorated exterior is artificial and cold unless inner beauty is present.”

Women (and men too), think about these things.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.