1 Timothy 2:8-10

Summary retelling of 1 Timothy 2:8-10

Paul encourages all men to pray.  He encourages them to pray confidently by lifting up their hands.  He encourages them to pray together without a sense of quarreling.  Paul asks women to dress modestly when going to worship so as to not attract attention to themselves.  Paul reminds women that what should draw people to them is not their appearance, but what they do according to God’s will.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Men.  Listen up.  Pray.  There is no excuse.  Real men pray.  Real men pray out loud.  Real men teach other real men how to pray.  Real men take responsibility for leading women and those younger than them in prayer.  Real men pray confidently.  Real men aren’t afraid to raise their hands to God when they are asking of His name and giving Him praise.  {Note: this doesn’t mean that you have to do it every time, mind you.  If we lift hands every time then the practice will likely become meaningless.}  What Paul is saying is that real men are not afraid, ashamed, or embarrassed to pray.  Real men lead by confident example.  Oh yeah, real men get along with other spiritual real men.

Do you know any real men?  How can you encourage them to continue to be real men?  Do you know anyone who has the potential to become a real man in prayer?  How can you encourage them?

Second Thought:

Women.  Listen up.  Paul’s words here are pretty blunt.  You come to church to worship God.  Dress like it.  Real women don’t go to church looking to draw attention to themselves.  If you look in the mirror and wonder how many eyes you are going to catch today … you should probably change.  If you look in the mirror and admire how your body looks in the skinny jeans, the skirt, or whatever … you should probably change.  I’m not saying that Paul is telling women to look frumpy or plain.  I am saying that women need to take a moment and make sure that they aren’t dressing so as to take any attention away from God.  Let’s face it.  Men don’t need any help being sidetracked.  If we are going to expect men to be strong confident leaders (especially in prayer), we also need to expect women to do their part in creating an environment where men can focus on leading spiritually (especially in prayer).

Do you know any real women who can put aside their appearance for the glory of God?  How can you encourage them?  Do you know anyone who has the potential to become a real woman?  How can you encourage them?

Third Thought:

Paul also reminds the ladies that it is not one’s appearance that should attract attention but rather one’s deeds.  For the record, I think it is fair to tell this same advice to the men, too.  We all need to remember the old cliché: it is not what is on the outside that counts.  Rather, it is what is on the inside that counts.  We should be attracted to the spiritual charity and genuine kindness of one another far more than the appearance of one another.

Honestly, what attracts you to other people?  Do you have any attributes that you look for in other people that are based on outward appearance?  What is the danger of allowing those thoughts to linger?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Timothy 2:11-15