2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
Wow! Those are quite the words that St. Paul spoke in our epistle lesson yesterday. How could he really say that, especially in such a politically correct society? What in the world do we do with those words?
Well first off they are God's Word, whether we like what they say or not. And being God's Word, they do apply to us here and now, so we need to take them seriously, even if it makes us uncomfortable.
Obviously the part that we have issues with is the second half of this text, verses 8-15. And the good Lutheran question, "What does this mean?"
To help answer, here's some helpful links.
A sermon by my friend, Rev. Eli Davis - Here
If you have more questions, let me know! I'll be happy to help answer them!
