Day 13 - I Timothy 2:8-10

A Daily Devotional Study of I Timothy

The Call to Orthopraxy
 Also Known as Holiness

h 1 Timothy 2:8-10    h

⁸I desire therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting; ⁹In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or costly clothing, ¹⁰but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

Christianity requires, not only orthodoxy, which is right believing, but also orthopraxy, which is right behavior or practice. Orthopraxy is actually just a fancy, theological word for "holiness." The point is that Paul in this letter confronts, not only the erroneous doctrine of the Ephesian believers, but also their bad behavior.

Holy Hands

In verse 8, Paul exhorts the men to pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting. Hands are an expression of the person. When a person is angry, he or she will often ball their hand into a fist. When a person is distressed, he or she will often wring their hands. In the Old Testament, lifting up one’s hands was a common expression of worship toward God. Paul wants the people to lift up their hands in prayer, but he wants their uplifted hands to be an expression of a holy or consecrated life. This passage reminds me of Psalm 24, where David asks the question of who may stand in the holy place of God’s presence, and in verse 4 responds by saying such a person is the one who has clean hands and a pure heart. This is Paul’s desire for the people in Ephesus.

Without Wrath & Disputing

In this same verse, Paul wants prayer and worship that is without wrath and doubting. The Greek word for doubting is dialogismou and it means to argue or dispute. The word for “wrath” in this verse, orges, is also the word for anger. This passage reminds us of 1:4 where Paul warned them against giving heed to myths and endless genealogies which cause disputes rather than godly edification. It seems that the Ephesian Christians, particularly the men, are an angry, argumentive bunch. This is not appropriate behavior for those who name the name of Christ.

Paul’s Instructions for the Women

Paul now directs his exhortations specifically to the women and focuses on their dress. To paraphrase Paul, he is merely telling the Christian women not to dress like hookers. Prostitution was very common in the ancient world and was often associated with the worship of female deities such as Diana in Ephesus. Remember that worship of Diana was at the very core of the culture in Ephesus and she influenced every area of life, including the way the women dressed. Christian women, however, were not to be guided by the fallen, sinful culture. Paul says, in verse 10, that they should dress in such a way that is appropriate for women who express godliness with good works. The Greek preposition translated “with” is actually dia meaning through. In other words, they are to express their faith through their good deeds, i.e., their orthopraxy.

Conclusion

Paul is concerned, not only about the false doctrine of the Ephesians, but also their unsavory behavior. In Acts 1:8, Jesus said we would be empowered to be His witnesses. In other words, our lifestyle is to be a testimony of our faith in Jesus. This is orthopraxy, also known as holiness.

Reflection & Prayer

Oh Lord our God, You have promised to empower us by Your Holy Spirit to be Your witnesses, not just by the words we speak, but by the lives we live—by how we act, speak, dress and behave. Through Your empowering presence, may we be Your witnesses and bring glory and honor to the name of Christ whom we profess as our Lord and Savior. Amen!