1 Timothy 2

      8. I will therefore that men pray everywhere. This refers back to verse 1 . Everywhere. In all places of public worship. Lifting up holy hands. This seems to indicate an attitude in prayer. The hands lifted up must be sanctified to holy deeds. Without wrath and doubting. Wrath would unfit for prayer. So would doubt; but the word rendered "doubt," is better rendered "disputing," as in the Revision.

      9, 10. In like manner, that women also. When they come to the public worship, let them not spend their thoughts in adorning their bodies, but adorn themselves in modest apparel. In simple attire which not attract attention. With shamefacedness. A shrinking from all that is indelicate. Sobriety. Self-restraint; not yielding to vain impulses. Not with braided hair. The Gentile women were much given to arranging the hair in plaits over the head, with bands of gold. Such vain and idle show at worship is forbidden, as well as the wearing of pearls, or costly array. At the house of God a display is not comely. Compare 1 Peter 3:3 . 10. But. There is another adorning which better becomes godly women. Let their lives be adorned by kindly, helpful deeds.

      11-15. Let the women learn in silence. In the public worship on the Gentile churches the teaching was confined to the men. For a discussion of the reasons, see notes on /Commentaries/PeoplesNewTestament/pnt.cgi?book=&chapter=000#_" where the same directions are given. With all subjection. Submission to the authorized teachers of the church. 12. I suffer not a woman to teach. To become an authorized teacher of the church, a work confined to the presbyters. Nor to usurp authority. Authoritative teaching and ruling were united. 13. Some reasons drawn from the story of man in Eden are given for these rules. It will be seen that Paul regards these events as shadowing forth spiritual lessons. Adam was first formed. Man came in order before woman. 14. And Adam was not deceived. It was man who was first created, but woman who first led into the transgression. For these reasons a burden was laid on women which is spoken of in the next verse . 15. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing. Rather, through childbearing. Work was laid upon the fallen man; the pains of childbearing on the fallen woman. The apostle means here, that women will be saved in the line of their duties, and that those duties are domestic rather than public. There surely is no recommendation of the celibacy of monasticism. Possibly, too, another thought still may be alluded to. The first woman was assured that her seed should bruise the serpent's head. It was woman's glory that one of her sex was chosen to be the mother of our Lord. Thus through childbearing the Savior of all men comes into the world. If they continue. Domestic duties will not save unless to these are added the graces of a holy life.