 |  |
accepting her God-ordained position in the economy of God, but by usurping it. Shame
is first associated in Scripture with the results of stepping out of God's arrangement
(Gen. 3: 6, 7), and a woman's part in the home is to be lived out so that `the word of
God may not be discredited' (Titus 2: 3-5).
It is quite evident from the writings of both Paul and Peter, that they considered the
great strength of womanhood to lie, not in ability to discourse on the Word of truth, but
in:
"the immortal beauty of a gentle, modest spirit, which in the sight of God is of rare
value" (I Pet. 3: 4, Moffatt).
A husband, disobedient to the Word, may even be won over by such humble, quiet
and unpretentious conduct (I Pet. 3: 1-4).
Prayer
Closely connected with Paul's statement concerning the position of woman with
respect to teaching, is another dealing with prayer:
"I desire therefore that the men pray in every place."
This quotation from the R.V. of I Tim. 2: 8 more accurately represents the original;
the A.V. rather obscuring the sense. The verse obviously refers to leading in prayer in an
assembly, as all (both men and women) pray in such a company.
Here again, diverse views have been, and still are held as to whether a woman ought
to lead in prayer in any assembly. Sometimes an ellipsis has been supplied so that
verses 8 and 9 read thus:
"I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands . . . . . In like manner
also, that women pray everywhere, adorning themselves in modest apparel . . . . ."
In this way the equal right of women with men to lead in public prayer is maintained.
But the weight of evidence is against this rendering, and it is not adopted by any of the
following well known versions: A.V., R.V., R.S.V., Moffatt, Weymouth, Rotherham,
J.N.D., N.E.B.
The context in which the `adornment' of women is mentioned is however involved
with prayer, and it may be that the instructions given by Paul `refer particularly to their
dress and deportment at public prayer' (F. F. Bruce). What is foremost in Paul's mind is
`the impropriety of women exploiting their physical charms on such occasions, and also
the emotional disturbance they are liable to cause their male fellow-worshippers'
(J.N.D.Kelly in his Commentary on 1Timothy in loco). Women take part in prayer as
much as men, but should not lead. Such a word, coming from the Apostle and in this
context, is in complete harmony with all that he has taught concerning the God-ordained
position of the woman in the present dispensation.