Let’s be honest – the last five verses of chapter two 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 (NASB)

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time.
7 And for this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.
9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments;
10 but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness.
11 Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.
12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.
13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.
14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression.
15 But women shall be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.