Christ's Law

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● 1Tim 2:8-9 . . I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy
hands, without wrath and evil thoughts.

Lifting up one's hands is the posture of an anxious beggar seeking charity and
compassion. Holy hands are loyal hands. Other kinds of hands should be kept at
one's side till such a time as they qualify as true blue, thru and thru.

The Greek word for "wrath" means hot desire. It's sometimes translated anger,
indignation, and vengeance. The idea is that a believer should never pray out of
spite and/or use prayer as a tool to hurt somebody's feelings. That is the ugliest
abuse of the privilege of prayer that I can possibly imagine. In my opinion, people
who pray out of spite are no different than slanderers, witches, sorcerers, and
voodoo priests. Especially annoying are people who can't keep a civil tongue in their
heads, and then have the nerve to say "you're in our prayers"
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● 1Tim 2:9-10 . . In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest
apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or
pearls, or costly array; but (which becomes women professing piety) with good
works.

The Greek word for "sobriety" basically means soundness of mind; viz: mature,
sensible, and self controlled rather than impulsive.

Some folk, obsessed with asceticism, use that verse to prove it's wrong for women
to use cosmetics and dress themselves in current fashions. But the passage doesn't
forbid that. What it forbids is a woman putting a higher priority on her appearance
than her character.

The old adage "You can't judge a book by its cover" applies here as well as in
literature. I've met women with tattoos, studs in their tongues, multicolored hair,
fishnet stockings, outrageous earrings, tight-fitting concert tee shirts, low-slung hip
huggers, and black lipstick that were really peaches while I've met elegant, neatly
dressed women with horrible personalities. They say a rose in any language is still a
rose; yeah, well, a pig, no matter how it's dressed, is still a pig whether in belly
shirts and flip-flops or haute couture.

"An attractive woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig's snout." (Prov
11:22) cf. 1Pet 3:1-6

The Greek word for "shamefacedness" pertains to bashfulness, i.e. diffidence; which
is just the opposite of insolence, impudence, and brazenness. Bashful people have a
hard time looking people in the eye because they are so shy, non-confrontational,
timid, self conscious, and non-assertive. What we're looking at here relates to one
of The Lord's beatitudes.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:3)

That's a very comforting beatitude because it confirms that there's coming a day
when difficult people will be eradicated.
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● 1Tim 2:11 . . Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.

The Greek word for "submissiveness" basically refers to subordination; in this case
voluntary.

That word appears in a number of applications. In Matt 22:12 it means tongue tied.
In Mark 4:39 it means calm down. In 1Tim 5:18 it infers suppression. In 1Tim 2:15
it means to negate, i.e. render invalid and/or unworthy of consideration.

During my 80+ years on this planet; I've encountered quite a few women that
enjoy debating with men; and especially pointing out men's faults and/or proving
men wrong. I don't know why they're like that, I guess it's just a female thing. But
Christ doesn't condone it.

If 1Tim 2:11 is telling me anything at all it's that Christ doesn't want to see
Christian women debating, quarreling, or arguing with men in church; and that
includes Sunday school discussions. In point of fact, according to 1Cor 14:35,
women aren't even allowed to raise their hands and ask a question in co-ed Sunday
school classes.

Gender equality is a big issue out in the world; but God forbid it should become an
issue in church because divine edicts trump human politics.

● Ps 16:11 . . Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations,
exalted on the earth.
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● 1Tim 2:12-15 . . I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a
man, but to remain quiet.

The "my church" that Christ spoke of at Matt 16:18 isn't meant to be steered by
personal opinions, popular culture, and/or political correctness. He has some say
about it and his say is the final word.

In the "my church" males are the gender designated to captain the ships; not the
females. I don't trust a church supervised by female managers and pastors. Why?
Because it tells me that Christ isn't supreme among those people; they've as much
as voted him out.
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● 1Tim 2:15 . . Women shall be preserved through the bearing of children if they
continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.

In other words, it isn't necessary for women to be pastors, deacons, and/or adult
Sunday school teachers in order to serve Christ faithfully, loyally, and effectively.
Homemaking is just as high a calling as any in church.

Can a female church manager or a pastor; continue in faith, love, and sanctity with
self-restraint? In point of fact, it is a non sequitur to say a female church manager
or pastor continues in faith. If she did, she would be neither a church manager nor
a pastor. This is precisely why God rejected Cain's offering. It was a perfectly good
offering, and no doubt Cain had brought God the very same thing in the past, but
God rejected it that time because Cain failed to offer it in faith. (Gen 4:7, Heb 11:4)
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