A note from our Pastor:

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;”

1 Timothy 2:9

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

As we come to our study verse this week we enter into a passage of scripture which is the subject of great debate among different groups of believers. It has been used to justify a variety of positions and the passage has been demonized or even written off by some who wish to protect their views. As we study these verses we should remember a few things about interpretation: 1) the bible is the greatest interpreter of itself; 2) scriptures do not contradict one another and the Apostles did not contradict Christ; 3) these are not random thoughts but rather inspired words composed as one letter to a person or group of people; and 4) finally, we should remember the cultural context within which the words were written.

With this particular verse, the Apostle was writing to Timothy regarding public worship and false teachings in the church. It is also important to remember a key distinction between the original church and the modern western church. In the original church teachings on modesty revolved around monetary wealth. In the Jewish culture money was intertwined with spirituality, but it was not supposed to be so with the community of believers following Christ. In the modern Western church modesty has been associated with sexuality. Shows of wealth around and in church (expensive cars, fancy clothes) is acceptable in the modern Western church but any clothing the least bit too revealing is taboo.

Keeping this in mind, the Apostle’s instruction to Timothy was to remind the community of believers to keep the worship service focused on learning about Christ and his doctrine not about showing off their wealth. An easy extension of this teaching would be to imagine the Apostle telling Timothy about the women who traveled with Christ and his disciples. These women were in the inner circle of Christ’s disciples and they used their wealth to advance the message of the Gospel. Wealth should be used for the message of Christ not for show in the church.

Finally, the community of believers should be continually reminded why gathering as a congregation is important. The purpose of gathering as a congregation to worship Christ is to let go of self and to support one another. We could all sit around at home, thinking about our own needs and blessings, and try to worship God. But we come together as a group to let go of our needs and to love one another. Any action in preparing for worship which prevents this truth from being realized is contrary to the scriptures.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah