Advice for Christian assimilation into Roman society (1 Timothy 2)

At other points in the Bible, it contains rules and guidelines for holiness.  Here in this chapter, it stresses the role of the individual in making a peaceful society.

A look at the historical context is helpful before sorting out Paul's ideas.  Christianity was a fledgling offshoot of the Jewish religion, but growing quickly amongst the Jews and the Gentiles in the Roman provinces.  It also faced periodic opposition from the Roman officials and the Jewish establishment.  Christians were periodically rounded up and thrown into gladiator games or to hungry lions in the coliseum.

Likewise, Timothy might still be in Ephesus (1:3), which had a major riot and Christians were almost lynched (Acts 19).  Further, women did not have many rights.  It is also my understanding that most people, about 90% of the population, did not have much wealth.

With this context, Paul advises the following:

1.  Pray for your leaders (2:1-2).  
The reason is that we might have peaceful lives.  If we think about the contemporary Christian persecution by Rome, it adds another dimension that Americans take for granted today.  A good modern example would be to pray for the leaders of China and North Korea that the people in those countries have peaceful lives.

But undoubtedly, it also means that Americans should pray for Obama.  I am sure many American Christians prayed for George W Bush, but how many pray for Obama?


2.  Women should dress modestly (2:9).  
This is good advice.  Paul gives examples and runs the gambit between "decency and propriety" to no expensive clothes.

Are expensive clothes wrong?  I would say no.  But in the context of major socio-economic strata, if one had expensive clothes, then they were in a small minority of people.  Rather, I think the reference to expensive clothes means that Paul is actually saying "do not flaunt your wealth" among the poor.

Again, the emphasis seems to be on peaceful coexistence with others.

Further, modesty and decency are contextual.  What is appropriate to wear at the gym or the beach is not necessarily appropriate to wear at a cocktail lounge.  Wearing gym or beach attire outside of such environments gives the impression of sexual impropriety.  Paul understands the male mind and he does not Christian women to be viewed as prostitutes or worse, raped.  Rather, Paul wants peaceful coexistence between Christians and within greater society as a whole.


3.  Women should not hold authority over men.  (3:11-15)
I think this is frequently understood to mean that women should not leaders in the church.  If someone reads it that literally, then they should go all the way with the literal.  in particular, Paul advises women to be "silent".
If we read this super literally, that means women should not be business owners that employ men or perhaps even drive cars with male passengers.  This passage also means women should have no other function in life other to have children.

I do not read it this literally.  For starters, there are two great examples of female leaders in the Bible itself.  These include Moses' sister, Miriam, and Deborah the judge.  (Exodus 15:20; Judges 4-5).  Both women were be prophetesses and the Bible records songs they sang.  (Exodus 15:20; Judges 4:4, chpt. 5).

I don't think it is wrong for women to be spiritual and political leaders because God raised two women to fill this role.

So, what is Paul talking about?  Paul wants peace for the Christian society.  With that in mind, Paul is not trying to upset the established social order.  At this time, women did not have a lot of rights and even their testimony was not reliable in court.  Rather, Paul wants Christians to conform to the social and cultural norms where they live for their own good.  Obviously, there will be a conflict with on some level, particularly if the norm is to worship idols.   But in areas like this, Paul wants Christians to live within the norms of society.

Two thousand years later, we live in an era of far more gender equality.  I think the same principals would apply, but it would look very different than the Roman era.  For instance, today, Christian women should integrate into society (although not dress like prostitutes).