The First Epistle To Timothy - Executable Outlines

C. “WITH PROPRIETY AND MODERATION...”
1. Propriety means “a sense of shame, a shrinking from trespassing the boundaries of
propriety, proper reserve” - Hendriksen
2. Moderation (translated ‘sobriety’, KJV) means “sanity; then sober-mindedness,
moderation of the desires and passions. It is opposed to all that is frivolous, and to all undue
excitement of the passions. The idea is, that in their apparel and deportment they should not
entrench on the strictest decorum. Doddridge.” - Barnes
3. The point is to avoid extremes: “Be not the first by whom the new is tried, nor yet the last
to lay the old aside.” - Pope
D. “NOT WITH BRAIDED HAIR, GOLD, PEARLS OR COSTLY CLOTHING...”
1. Note that Paul is not dealing with brevity of clothing per se
a. Rather, clothing and hairstyles designed to draw the attention of others
b. Of course, drawing attention through brevity of clothing would violate the spirit of the
letter, as well as the word translated before as “propriety” or “shamefacedness” (KJV)
2. Is Paul condemning all adorning of the hair or wearing of jewelry?
a. Compare what Peter wrote in 1 Pe 3:3-4
1) Both appear to be a use of the comparative ‘not’...
a) Where ‘not’ is not used as a literal prohibition
b) But to compare one thing to another (not this..but this)
2) For example, look at Jn 6:27
a) Did Jesus condemn working for food?
b) No, He was emphasizing what is most important
b. Sarah evidently adorned herself such that her beauty could not be hidden (cf. Gen 12:
14-15), but her true beauty was adornment of a meek and quiet spirit - 1 Pe 3:5-6
3. “It cannot be supposed that the mere braiding of the hair is forbidden, but only that careful
attention to the manner of doing it, and to the ornaments usually worn in it, which
characterized worldly females. It is not to be supposed that all use of gold or pearls as
articles of dress is here forbidden; but the idea is, that the Christian female is not to seek
these as the adorning which she desires, or is not to imitate the world in these personal
decorations.” - Barnes
E. “BUT, WHICH IS PROPER FOR WOMEN PROFESSING GODLINESS, WITH
GOOD WORKS...”
1. Here is where the emphasis is to be, not on outward apparel!
2. As per 1 Pe 3:3-4: “Do not let your adornment be [merely] outward - arranging the hair,
wearing gold, or putting on [fine] apparel - rather [let it be] the hidden person of the heart,
with the incorruptible [beauty] of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight
of God.” (NKJV)
3. Good works befits women professing godliness (godly piety) - e.g., Dorcas, Ac 9:36,39
[Sisters in Christ, what do men notice most about you? Attention to physical adornment, or your godly
conduct? Be careful not to let the physical take precedent and block out the spiritual! Now consider
Paul’s instructions regarding...]
II. THE SUBMISSION OF WOMEN
Mark A. Copeland
Sermons From First Timothy 24