1 Timothy 2:10 Commentary and Bible Study

‘Which becometh women professing godliness’, or literally, professing the fear of God.’ Instead of being adorned with ‘with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array’, the women are to be adorned with good works. What a wonderful metaphor! This is the same as Peter teaches in his epistle, ‘Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; ⁴ But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price’ (1 Peter 3:3-4). The focus of such a woman is not on herself, but on the Lord. She seeks to bring honour to the Lord by doing good works which glorify him. To her, those good works become a sort of beautiful garment with which she is clothed in the eyes of heaven. That will do much to commend her prayer to God, for she seeks to please him by her life, and he who searches every heart will be inclined to hear her petitions. All that we receive from God is a gift of grace which we cannot deserve, but God has given his children the capacity to please him by their lives.