Let’s be honest – the last five verses of this chapter are quite challenging to us Americans, accustomed as we are to women taking an equal role in all facets of our society. There has been a lot of ink spilled over these verses, and they form the central reason for division between many congregations and denominations that are otherwise equally conservative, and even Reformed.

And all that means that we conservative, evangelical men, in our attempt to understand what Paul means in verses 11-15, have all too often cut against the grain of what he clearly says in verse 8 – falling into anger and quarreling. In the same way, many women who insist on having an equal say in church councils have neglected Paul’s teaching on the importance of bearing and rearing children, not to mention putting aside his admonitions about modesty. And don’t all of us conservative evangelical types spend far more time complaining about the dumb things our government does than we do praying for the people we have put in office (v. 2)? No, there’s plenty of blame to go around in these verses, regardless of our denominational affiliation.

But as we live in such a contentious, self-focused and frankly worldly way, what kind of example are we setting for the unbelievers all around us? Yes, we conservative evangelicals claim to follow Jesus, but Paul reminds us in verse 6 that, far from trying to force others to do things His way, He gave Himself up as a ransom for all. And why did He do this? So that all might be saved and come to knowledge of the truth (v. 4).

So, as we struggle and fight, are we really following Jesus? Or is our disagreeable way of disagreeing driving unbelievers away from Him?

I Timothy 2:1-15 (ESV)

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
9 likewise 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,
10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness– with good works.
11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve;
14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing– if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.