0713 PAGANS LEARNING TO WORSHIP 101

JULY 13 = 1 TIMOTHY 2

PAGAN LEARNING TO WORSHIP, 101

The apostle Paul was a Jew of Jews, called to start churches among Gentiles, such as those in Ephesus. 

“And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

Gentiles did not have the same “church” background as Jewish believers would. Jews from all over Judea had heard about Jesus, and believed him to be the Jewish Messiah, the fulfillment of all those prophecies they had heard and memorized since childhood. 

But Gentiles had none of that background. Some Gentiles had worshiped idols, which may have included some of those truly vulgar and sensual practices that they saw as worship, but we would not recognize it in most circles today. Consequently, for many in the congregation, Paul needed to give some basic instructions on “proper” etiquette for worship. Consider this to be Worship for Gentiles, 101, from a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

Imagine Paul was writing to a contemporary church plant that was maybe a year or two old. These people have never been to a church before. They had been to various temples of idols, where “worship” consisted of giving financial gifts, offering sacrifices (pouring out spices, slaughtering an animal, or even surrendering your firstborn child to become a sex slave in the cult worship of this god). Women take the lead. They dress up in their most elaborate attire and they bring the sacrifices. Men visit the temple prostitute to bring good luck in conceiving another boy to carry on the family business. These are the people who have now become followers of Christ. But they have no Bible, and they don’t know the Old Testament customs and Jewish ways of spirituality. This is the group to whom Paul has Timothy instruct on worship.

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 

Paul tells those Gentiles that men pray with holy hands lifted up. Jews knew about the posture for prayer, raising hands and having eyes open and looking heavenward. But Gentiles not so much. And Gentiles didn’t necessarily grow up thinking of men as standing before their families to intercede. What’s more, Gentiles didn’t necessarily think of worship and prayer as being something that affects their relationships with others, to have holiness and have no anger or disputing. So Paul needed to tell them to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit when they pray and afterward.

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 

Just as the men needed to learn to step up and take spiritual leadership and authority in their homes and in the assembly, so women need to think differently about what happens in the gathering. Give up the dress-to-impress theology, and follow God, who cares about your morals, not your displays of wealth.

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 

The wives were used to being in leadership in family worship at the temples. But Paul is wanting men to take leadership in their prayers, and in their teaching. Don’t sit back and let your wives assume spiritual leadership of your family. It is your duty to take the lead, not to abdicate to your wife or mother. This is not just a cultural mandate from Paul; it should be understood within biblical history, as well.

For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 

This is why men should assume spiritual authority in their homes: because Adam failed to step up and protect Eve as he should have done. He was there with her, and he let her fall for the serpent’s lies. Just as men should be the ones who go to war, or who serve in public office, or who do the heavy work around the house. This is, in general, how God made things to work.

But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.”

This seems to be in line with the old adage, “A woman’s place is in her home.” Be a woman of faith—but don’t compete with your husband for who gets to have authority over the other. Love your family members and your neighbors—but don’t make the decisions about your family’s worship. Live in holiness with propriety—which means being morally pure and simple.

Maybe Paul would say all the same things to our society today. And maybe he would address things that are more culturally appropriate. Let’s brainstorm on that together…