Our studies in the First Epistle of Timothy will continue this Lord’s Day as we begin our investigation of 1 Timothy 2:11-15.  It is here that the Apostle Paul sets forth God’s will as it concerns the role and function of women, both in the home and in the Church.

Looking at this text through our modern Western eyes, there is much to be offended by upon an initial glance. Indeed, such offense has been regularly taken by readers, even among those who might otherwise affirm the Bible’s authority.  The sweeping language that Paul uses regarding women sounds restrictive at best, and misogynistic at worst.  In fact, these are the very charges often leveled at Paul by his modern critics.

This is why we have deliberately slowed down our pace of study at this point in the letter.  In order to understand what Paul’s message is, it will take much more than an initial look.  In fact, we will need to go way back in time in order to appreciate the fuller Biblical context for the authoritative teaching that we find here.

This coming Sunday we will look at 1 Timothy 2:11-15 through the lens of Creation, the Fall, and the Promise of Redemption as set forth in Genesis 1:26-3:24. In other words, we will be careful not to read Paul’s words through the lens of fallen human history, and the various non-Biblical ideologies and customs that have been and are at work today as a result. Rather, we will seek to view Paul’s teaching through the inspired story of what God initially created, what He blessed, and what He called “very good” (Gen 1:31).  Only then can we understand the righteousness and beauty of what the Apostle Paul is commanding for the home and the Church, and how conformity to his words will result in nothing less than a recovery of our humanity as divine image-bearers, made either male or female for His glory.

Let me encourage you to prayerfully meditate upon several passages of Scripture that will inform our message this Sunday:  Genesis 1:26-3:24 (note especially 3:16); 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Peter 3:1-7.

It is such a joy to serve a congregation of brothers and sisters in the Lord who love and treasure the Word of God!  I know we will be blessed as we open the Holy Scriptures together this Sunday!