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The Apostle Paul gave Timothy guidance on the conduct among Christians in Ephesus. He gave some practical and essential pointers. They are to guide proper conduct in a Church community situation meant to minimise offences. They cover men and woman and the roles they play. God-honouring conduct matters in Church life.
Men are to pray without “anger or disputing”; with sincerity and not doubt. Sometimes people misuse public prayers to condemn others for wrongs committed. Such negative attitudes should not be prayers to our holy God. It is wrong and God will not listen. Lifting up holy hands is a Jewish prayer posture and Christians of those days continued with this practice. However, Paul was not concerned with outward posture but more so with inner heart posture. Psalm 24:4 gives the attitude of worshippers coming before God – “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart”. The “clean hands” is for cleanness of heart before a holy God. Likewise, “lifting up holy hands” is the attitude of submission and acknowledgment of God’s holiness and greatness. Paul censured people who prayed angry and vengeful prayers. So must we.
Women roles are not to be independent of men. Paul based this from the creation of Adam and Eve. God established the order of their relationship – He made Eve to be a “suitable helper” for Adam. The women’s role is of submission and not contradiction to the authority and leadership of the men in the Church. This role of submission extends to a life of continual endurance and perseverance as seen in the example of suffering pain in childbearing. Thus salvation is not found in the ability to bear children but rather in being able to live with modesty. Dressing should be simple and not seductive but with inner beauty exhibiting true salvation – Isa. 30:15 “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength”.
These are some practices for God-honouring conduct during the early years of the Christian Church in the Middle East. For our present day there are differing practices in these aspects of Christian conduct in the worldwide Churches. The principles behind these practices are good guides for us to follow. However, in all such practices there need to be respect to the order and authority of the Church leadership called on to monitor such conduct.
