Keraia
1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy 2:9

Instructions to Women · 1 Timothy 2:9–15
Read 1 Timothy 2

Translations

Modern
Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,
Traditional
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
Literal
Likewise also women are to adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and sound-mindedness, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,
Latin
Similiter et mulieres in habitu ornato, cum verecundia et sobrietate ornantes se, et non in tortis crinibus, aut auro, aut margaritis, vel veste pretiosa:

Original

Greek
English
Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,

Notes

1 Timothy 2:9–10

  • The subject is still community prayer.

  • women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty: Paul recommends Christian women must praise God rather than seek praise from people (compare 1 Peter 3:3–5). They should focus on doing good deeds for others, not on enhancing their appearance or being sexy. Gold, pearls, or expensive clothes suggest wealth (see 1 Timothy 6:5–10, 17–19). The reference to wealth might have been part of the power struggles within the church that Timothy had to address (2:11–15).

1 Timothy 2:1–15

This passage first covers prayer and then the behavior of men and women (2:1–7; 8–10). It ends with the topic of women and teaching (2:11–15).

1 Timothy 2:1–3:13

Paul addresses how false teachers influenced behavior in God's household, the church (3:15). Corruption had influenced worship, roles related to gender, and leadership within this community (2:1–15; 3:1–13).

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) The Household

Glossary

Beauty Minerals and Metals Pearl Timothy, First Letter to

Topics

Adornment Anklets Appearances Being Modest Braided Hair Braiding Hair Christian Minister: Charge Delivered To Christian Women Clothes Clothing Coffee Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Dating and Courting Dress: Rules with Respect to Women's Dressing Ear Piercing Ear Piercings Fashion Hair: Worn Long by Women Head Coverings How we Dress Marking your Body Modest Apparel Modesty of Women Nakedness Nudity Our Appearance Outward Appearance Pearl: Ornaments Made of Pearls Physical Beauty Piercings and Tattoos Plastic Surgery Pride: General Scriptures Concerning Proper Dress Righteousness: Fruits of Single Women Sobriety: Women should Exhibit in Dress Sobriety: Women should Exhibit, in Dress Tattoos