Font Size
1 Timothy 2:8-10
New Catholic Bible
1 Timothy 2:8-10
New Catholic Bible
Positions at Public Worship.[a] 8 I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up their hands reverently in prayer without anger or argument. 9 I also ask that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing. They should be adorned not with braided hair or with gold or pearls or expensive clothes,[b] 10 but with good works, as is fitting for women who profess their reverence for God.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 2:8 First of all, Paul describes the attitude of prayer, stressing that it must arise from a heart filled with love (see Mt 6:14; Mk 11:25). Then he issues recommendations for different groups and states of life. In keeping with the custom of the time, women were excluded from official roles in worship (see 1 Cor 14:34-35).
We see a teaching already in existence concerning style of dress, a teaching that has often been renewed in the Church: Christians should endeavor to be rather than to appear. The New Testament several times recognizes the value of virginity (see 1 Cor 7:8, 25); but here, in opposition to heretics who forbade marriage (1 Tim 4:3), Paul emphasizes the point that the vocation of women is to give life. - 1 Timothy 2:9 This verse does not place a total ban on wearing jewelry or expensive clothes or braiding one’s hair. These things are singled out here because in the society of Paul’s day they were signs of unconscionable extravagance and self-importance.
