Awake & Alive: 1 Timothy Reading Plan
Day 7
8I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.Â
These, along with the next several verses, make it imperative to remember the reason and theme of Paul’s letter to Timothy. Paul is attempting to make sure that his friend Timothy knows and protects the full Gospel message. For it was God through Christ who rescued and redeemed humanity from the sin nature that marred and separated from God. It is important to note here that God is the authority and initiator of the salvific work. Humanity has not, and could not, merit what God has done through Christ.
With this message in mind, Paul orients Timothy around the concepts of proper action and attire for worship. The goal here is not to nitpick what is worn to a church service or to create a works-based religious gathering. Rather, the objective is to ensure that hearts, minds, and actions are set on God, rather than self, as one enters the gathering of the saints.
The lives of the worshipping believer should reflect the words of worship and prayer offered by the believer. People will always drift toward self-indulgence and self-infatuation. Paul seeks to remind Timothy that true worship is never intended to end with the worshiper. For this reason, the believer pursues holiness in action and modesty in position. It is never the goal that those spectating or participating in worship would be distracted by actions that are counter to the Gospel or by hearts that seek to gain attention for themselves.
The pursuit of holiness and the adorning of modesty are tangible reminders for the believer that all of life is an opportunity to die to self and live for God’s glory.