The propriety of women in the church: (2:9-15):
- Good works reflect the beauty: (2:9-10): Ephesus was a wealthy commercial city, and some women there competed against each other for attention and popularity. The dress reflects our heart. If a man dresses in a casual manner, it says something about his attitude. Likewise, if a woman dresses in an immodest manner, it says something about her heart. In those days expensive hairdos arrayed with costly jewellery were an accepted way to get to the top of the social ladder. Paul insisted that the Christian women to have more of inner beauty which Christ only can give. He did not forbid nice clothing or ornaments. He urged for balance and propriety with the emphasis on modesty and holy character. Good works make women more beautiful than good jewellery.
- Women should learn in quietness: (2:11-12): In the first century, Jewish women were not allowed to study. When Paul said that women should learn in quietness and full submission, he was offering them an opportunity to become spiritual leaders. He is challenging them to learn in submission because they needed good knowledge and experience. Ephesian women were susceptible to the influence of false teachers and are still not mature, they needed to learn from the Word. Paul advocates silence which expresses attitude of quietness and composure.
- Paul publicly acknowledged women’s prayer: Paul was not against women praying in the church. He did not forbid women teaching, whatever she does she must do it under the authority of men. He commended Priscilla for her teaching to Apollos, who became a great preacher (Acts 18:24-26). Paul frequently referred other women who held responsibility in the church viz. Phoebe (Rom.16:1), Mary, Tryphena and Tryphosa who were Lord’s workers (Rom.16:6,12), Euodia and Syntyche (Phil.4:2).
- Precedence of man over woman: (2:13-14): In the military there would be different ranks. All have to perform their duties to achieve the common goal. But the orders are received from the head and everyone is accountable for the success or failure. Priority does not mean that superiority of man over woman. God has created both man and woman in His own image. It is only the authority, but all have to perform their duties. Women are permitted to teach. Older women should teach the younger women (Tit.2:3-4). Timothy was taught at home by his mother and grandmother (2 Tim.1:5; 3:15). But in their teaching ministry, they must not lord over men. There is nothing wrong with a godly woman instructing a man in private (Acts 18:24-28), but she must not assume authority in the church and try to take the place of a man. She should exercise submission and keep order in the church. Paul underlines two illustrations for this:
- Satan got into the garden of Eden and deceived Eve, so he can also get into the local church through some misguided women. When the local church meets in assembly, the women are instructed to exercise submission. If they have any queries, they should ask their own husbands rather than interrupting the meeting. Adam was created first and has precedence over Eve. Headship is written into the very course of nature, when we violate this principle, we invite confusion. This teaching was required because some rich women were trying to dominate the Ephesian church and bringing the whole assembly into chaos. However it does not mean that women are prevented from teaching or leading in ministries assigned by the local assembly.
Satan found it easier to deceive women than men. Eve was deceived by Satan and sinned. Had Adam been at her side protecting her, things would have been different. Adam listened to his wife rather than listening to God and sinned. Adam sinned knowingly what he was doing. It appears that Adam’s sin was worse than Eve. But Eve’s ability to be more readily deceived made her more dangerous in a place of authority.
“Eve’s reasoning faculty was at once overcome by the allegation of jealousy felt by God, an allegation plausible to a nature swayed by emotion rather than by reflection.” (White)
- Woman saved through childbearing if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety: (2:15): This verse has put many people in difficulty to understand. The idea is that even though the woman race did something bad in the garden of Eden by being deceived and falling into transgression, the woman race also did something far greater in being used by God by bringing the Messiah into the world. There is absolutely no need to blame women for the fall of human race, instead thank women for bringing the Messiah to us. Further the promise of God is that woman would be kept safe in the childbirth if they both (husband and wife) continue to live in faith, love, holiness and self-control. The ministry of the woman is not to run the church but to care of the home and bear children for the glory of God. Their home congregation would give them abundant opportunities for teaching the Word and ministering to the saints. (thoughts taken from Wiersbe’s expository outlines)