Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Timothy 2:10
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
10. which becometh women professing godliness ] Best as A.V. and R.V. forming a parenthesis to justify the boldness of the dress recommended immediately after.
godliness ] The noun occurs only here, the adjective only in Joh 9:31, ‘a worshipper of God.’ It seems to be distinguished from its kindred word above, 1Ti 2:2, thus: theosebeia looks to the worship being that of God in contrast to idols, and embodies the phrase in use for converts from heathen polytheism to Judaism throughout the Act 13:43; Act 13:50; Act 16:14; Act 17:4; Act 17:17; Act 18:7, ‘one that worshipped,’ and in full ‘one that worshipped God.’ While eusebeia, above and in nine other places in these epistles, by its prefix goes deeper than the change of outward worship heart reverence and devotion, ‘the best worship’: as the years went on a natural advance urged on the Christian converts in whom the seed was ‘to grow secretly.’ In this place then, where it is a question of public worship and the right surroundings, the word chosen here is the exactly appropriate one; ‘You profess the worship of God by your coming to the public prayers: your best dress is to be known and esteemed for your zeal in acts of love and service for Him in His church.’
with good works ] R.V. through; the change of preposition suggests a change in the character of the phrase, that St Paul is now speaking metaphorically.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
with good works}But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works – That is, it is not appropriate for women who profess to be the followers of the Saviour, to seek to be distinguished for personal, external decorations. If they are Christians, they have seen the vanity of these things, and have fixed the heart on more substantial realities. They are professed followers of Him who went about doing good, and the performance of good works especially becomes them. They profess to have fixed the affections on God their Saviour, and to be living for heaven; and it is not becoming in them to seek such ornaments as would indicate that the heart is supremely attached to worldly things. There is great beauty in this direction. Good works, or deeds of benevolence, eminently become a Christian female. The nature of woman seems to be adapted to the performance of all deeds demanding kindness, tenderness, and gentleness of feeling; of all that proceeds from pity, sympathy, and affection; and we feel instinctively that while acts of hardy enterprise and daring in a good cause especially become a Christian man, there is something exquisitely appropriate to the female character in deeds of humble and unobtrusive sympathy and benevolence. God seems to have formed her mind for just such things, and in such things it occupies its appropriate sphere rather than in seeking external adorning.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 10. But (which becometh, c.] That is: Good works are the only ornaments with which women professing Christianity should seek to be adorned. The Jewish matrons were accustomed to cry to the bride: “There is no need of paint, no need of antimony, no need of braided hair she herself is most beautiful.” The eastern women use a preparation of antimony, which they apply both to the eyes and eyelids, and by which the eye itself acquires a wonderful lustre.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They ought to look at the ornament of good works; for those are the ornaments which best become women professing godliness, whose hearts should despise the ornament of the figure of excrementitious hair, or a little yellow earth, or a stone, or the work of a pitiful silkworm.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
10. professingGreek,“promising”: engaging to follow.
with good worksTheGreek preposition is not the same as in 1Ti2:9; “by means of,” or “through goodworks.” Their adorning is to be effected by means of goodworks: not that they are to be clothed in, or with,them (Eph 2:10). Works, notwords in public, is their province (1Ti 2:8;1Ti 2:11; 1Ti 2:12;1Pe 3:1). Works are oftenmentioned in the Pastoral Epistles in order to oppose the looseliving, combined with the loose doctrine, of the false teachers. Thedischarge of everyday duties is honored with the designation, “goodworks.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But (which becometh women professing god likeness),…. By which is meant not any particular grace, was it, the fear of God might be designed, and so the Syriac version renders it; nor the whole of internal religion only; nor the form of godliness, or the whole scheme of Gospel truth, which is according to godliness; nor only outward holiness of life and conversation; but the whole of all this, all religion, internal and external, the whole of godliness, both in a doctrinal and in a practical way. All this, these women the apostle gives directions unto, had made a profession of, and had been baptized upon it, and received members of churches; and as yet held their profession: and such persons, it best became them not so much to adorn themselves with any outward adornings, as
with good works; such as are mentioned in 1Th 5:10 Good works are like good clothes, to which the apostle alludes; they do not make persons men and women, but they adorn them as such; so good works, they do not make men and women Christians, or believers, but they adorn them as such; they are ornaments to their persons, and to their profession, and to the Gospel they profess. See Tit 2:10.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Becometh (). Old word for seemly. Paul wishes women to wear “becoming” clothes, but (godliness, from , Joh 9:31, , , worship) is part of the “style” desired. Only here in N.T. Good dress and good works combined.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Professing [] . In the sense of professing only in the Pastorals. In Tit 1:2, and everywhere else in N. T. it means promise. See Act 7:5; Rom 4:21; Gal 3:19, etc.
Godliness [] . N. T. o. Several times in LXX The adjective qeosebhv worshipping God, Joh 9:31. It is = eujsebeia. See ver. 2. Const. by good works with professing godliness : omit the parenthesis which – godliness; take which [] as = with that which [ ] and construe it with adorn. The whole will then read : “That women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array, but (adorn themselves) with that which becometh women professing godliness through good works.” 100
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “But (which becometh women professing godliness)” (alla ho prepei gunaiksin epangelomenais theosebeian) “But what suits (is becoming) women actively professing reverence,” or witnessing that they are followers of God. Women are thus admonished to dress in appropriate manner, at all times, not just in church worship.
2) “With good works,” (di’ ergon agathon) “By means of or through good works,” modest and appropriate dress is therefore a Christian obligation on the part of every woman who does good works of piety and charity to secure God’s sanction and “well done,” Mat 25:21; Mat 25:23.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
10 Which becometh women; for undoubtedly the dress of a virtuous and godly woman must differ from that of a strumpet. What he has laid down are marks of distinction; and if piety must be testified by works, this profession ought also to be visible in chaste and becoming dress.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(10) But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.That is to say, Let them adorn themselves in that which is befitting women who profess godlinessviz., in good works. The Apostle, still speaking of womens true part in public divine serviceurges that their works should be in accord with their words of prayertells them that a womans truest and most beautiful ornament consisted in those tender works of mercy and pityher peculiar provincein other words, that they, like Dorcas of Joppa, whose praise is in the Book of Life, should be full of good works and alms deeds (Act. 9:36).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
10. Good works Are the true ornamentation of the Christian lady. She need make no display of asceticism, nor spend her time, money, and health in elaborating a singular plainness of style. Nor is it any virtue to dress cheaply to hoard money in the coffers. It is a poor sham to mistake cheap apparel for humility, when its savings are laid up for one’s children, perhaps to squander in dissipation. But a great appropriateness to her profession of godliness it is if she studies a true simplicity of taste, and spends what she saves by avoidance of extravagance in charities and good works. And all this good advice may be addressed, perhaps with double force, to the Christian gentleman. The money burnt up in cigars, and that largely by Christian men, might give the gospel to the world.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
Ver. 10. But which becometh ] Our common conversation should be as becometh the gospel of Christ, , Phi 1:27 . And it is a sure sign of a base mind, to think that one can make himself great with anything that is less than himself; or that he can win more credit by his garments than by his graces. The worst apparel, saith one, is nature’s garment; the best, but folly’s garnish.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ti 2:10 . : It has been assumed above that is to be connected with . In this case is a parenthetical clause in apposition to the sentence. It is, however, possible, though not so natural, to connect with . . So Vulg., promittentes pietatem per bona opera . Then would mean , or (Math.), and the whole clause, , would be an awkward periphrasis for, and repetition of, .
usually means to promise as in Tit 1:2 ; but here and in 1Ti 6:21 to profess .
: . ., but the adj. occurs Joh 9:31 .
is instrumental, as in 1Ti 4:5 , 2Ti 1:6 ; 2Ti 1:10 ; 2Ti 1:14 ; 2Ti 3:15 ; 2Ti 4:17 , Tit 3:5-6 , not of accompanying circumstances, as in 1Ti 2:15 ; 1Ti 4:14 , 2Ti 2:2 .
: see note on chap. 1Ti 3:1 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
godliness. Greek. theosebeia. Only here.
with. App-104. 1Ti 2:1,
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
1Ti 2:10. ) promising (engaging to follow), professing. The same word is at ch. 1Ti 6:21.- , with works) construed with adorn; with works, without speaking, which is competent for (the province belonging to) men, 1Ti 2:8; 1Ti 2:11-12; 1Pe 3:1. There is a very frequent mention of works in the epistles to Timothy and Titus, and those are adorned with the appellation of good works, which come to be performed in the ordinary affairs of human life.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
1Ti 2:10
but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works.-To follow both these negative and positive requirements is church work because it is the work of Christ and must be observed by women if they be faithful members of the church. The works a widow must have done to entitle her to the support of the church are: If she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work. . . . I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling. (1Ti 5:10-14.) That is church work. The church has no more important work than bearing children and training them for service to God. Women must do that work. Paul instructs Titus to teach sound doctrine. That aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Tit 2:3-5.) A Christian woman is doing church work when she keeps her house well. The word of God is blasphemed when she does not do so, when she fails to love and honor her husband and fails to love her children and train them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
women: 1Pe 3:3-5, 2Pe 3:11
with: 1Ti 5:6-10, Pro 31:31, Act 9:36, Act 9:39, Eph 2:10, Tit 2:14, Tit 3:8, 1Pe 2:12, 2Pe 1:6-8, Rev 2:19
Reciprocal: Gen 24:22 – took Gen 24:44 – Both Exo 28:40 – glory Rth 3:3 – put thy 2Sa 1:24 – General 2Ki 9:30 – tired Pro 1:9 – they Pro 4:9 – give Pro 31:25 – Strength Isa 3:21 – nose jewels Mat 5:16 – that Mat 6:29 – even Rom 16:2 – as Eph 5:3 – as 1Ti 4:7 – exercise 1Ti 5:10 – good Tit 2:3 – as 1Pe 3:5 – the holy
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ti 2:10. The adornment of women is introduced in the beginning of the preceding verse, and the subject has not been changed. That shows the present verse is in line with the same subject, for it closes with the phrase good works. We know Paul has not been writing exclusively of the public assembly; in truth, he has not been considering that subject as much as in other places, for we do not regard the assemblies as the places for the practice of good works as that expression is commonly used. Furthermore, the matter of feminine adornment pertains to the social sphere of human life, in which the question considered is what is the proper and what the improper means a woman should use in order to interest the opposite sex. If a woman who professes to be godly in life will back it up with good works, she will be making herself attractive in the highest sense of the word. These remarks are not restricted to unmarried women in the matter of being adorned in the eyes of men, for the success and happiness of the married state is dependent to a great extent upon the regard the husband can have for hits wife. If she maintains the same modesty of bodily adornment after marriage that attracted the man and induced him to obtain her for his wife, he will continue to be happiest when in her society.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1Ti 2:10. Becometh. The same reference to a standard of decorum at once conventional and real, as in 1Co 11:13.
Professing godliness. The usual meaning of the verb is simply promise; but here and in 1Ti 6:21, it is the promise implied by outward act, and is therefore rightly rendered by professing. The Greek for godliness () occurs here only in the New Testament, and is somewhat stronger than the commonly so rendered; reverence for God would express its meaning fairly.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
1Ti 2:10. “But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
Good works are that which Paul encourages the women to adorn themselves with. They are to work for their Lord!
In short, if you profess it – dress it!
The overall thought concerning women seems to me to be that the woman dresses so as not to detract anyone’s attention away from the Lord in worship. That she not be the focus of anyone’s attention, might be another way to put it.
Her adornment should be her good works!
I would like to conclude with some thoughts from Matthew Henry.
“Under the gospel, prayer is not to be confined to any one particular house of prayer, but men must pray every where. We must pray in our closets, pray in our families, pray at our meals, pray when we are on journeys, and pray in the solemn assemblies, whether more public or private. We must pray in charity; without wrath, or malice, or anger at any person. We must pray in faith, without doubting, and without disputing. Women who profess the Christian religion, must be modest in apparel, not affecting gaudiness, gaiety, or costliness. Good works are the best ornament; these are, in the sight of God, of great price. Modesty and neatness are more to be consulted in garments than elegance and fashion. And it would be well if the professors of serious godliness were wholly free from vanity in dress. They should spend more time and money in relieving the sick and distressed, than in decorating themselves and their children. To do this in a manner unsuitable to their rank in life, and their profession of godliness, is sinful. These are not trifles, but Divine commands. The best ornaments for professors of godliness, are good works….”
I trust as we leave we have two clear items to meditate on. Men are to pray – and women are to be reflecting godliness.