THE PERFECT WOMAN
By Julie L.
1 Timothy 5:9-10 describes the qualities of an honorable woman. It is the kind of life a woman should live to deserve honor and respect. This is what we are to be doing NOW to fulfill God´s will for our lives. This is what we are to be aiming for.
Let's elaborate on 1 Timothy, chapter 5, verses 9 and 10.
I. “Having been the wife of one man”
(Literally a “one man woman”)
Her only interest and desire has been with the one man to whom she made her
marriage vows. She shouldn´t be thinking of other men. Her whole life is
characterized by and revolves around and is consumed with that one man. We were
made to support and undergird our husbands. It´s not OUR careers and lives that
we are trying to build but our husbands. We were not made to be the leaders of
our husbands but be helpers of our husbands.
II. “Well reported of for good works” (Literally “to
witness; to testify)
This means to speak well of a person on the basis of personal experience. It´s
others speaking of you by personal testimony. For example, take Dorcas (Acts
9:35-42, especially v. 39). How is this illustrated in the life of Dorcas? When
the widows heard of her death, they came and gave testimony of Dorcas's good
works. It´s not what WE think of ourselves, it´s what OTHERS think and say of
us. We taint our view of ourselves. Others can tell what we´re really like. If
it had been you in Acts 9 instead of Dorcas, what would people be saying of you?
III. “If she have brought up children”
There´s a big difference between having children and
raising children. Every mother has had a child, but not every mother
cares for their child. It means to “raise a child to maturity by providing for
the physical, spiritual and emotional needs.” The average mother often thinks of
just the physical needs (food and clothing), however, it goes beyond that. It
includes passing on your faith. For example... II Timothy 1:5 (Timothy got the
same sincere faith that came from his mother and grandmother) and in v. 15 of
chapter 3, he was taught the Word of God as a little child. His father had no
involvement in his spiritual well-being, because he was an unsaved Gentile (Acts
16:1), it was all his mother´s example and instruction.
IV. “If she have lodged strangers”
This is the word for hospitality and it actually comes
from this term. It means to “receive and show hospitality to a stranger, someone
who is not regarded as a member of the family or close friend.” This
meant you opened up your home for both food and a place to sleep. These people
didn´t always have adequate notice. It was often short-term and the need was
met. We often like to entertain friends and relatives, those we're comfortable
around. We like plenty of notice. The home is the woman´s domain (she cooks,
cleans, etc.)
Let´s look at II Kings 4:8-10 . Did someone force her to do this? She wanted
this so badly she constrained him. If you´re going to be complaining about the
work that needs to be done ahead of time, then you have the wrong attitude. “God
loves a cheerful giver.” (II Corinthians 9:7). When we have a need for housing
for a missionary, the pastor likes to hear that someone WANTS to take them, not
ask people to do it. The spirit needs to be there. This is the only woman in
Scripture that God Himself calls “great”. What statements tell us why she was a
great woman? What tells us that she showed this quality? Elisha did not impose
himself. No one should.
She “constrained” him. She really wanted to have him in her home. This is a
quality that is woven throughout all the examples of women who practiced
hospitality. He “as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither”. He knew he was
welcome any time. We know what houses we can drop in at at a moment´s notice,
and which ones we can´t. The hostess has made that clear. Verse 10 is where we
get “prophet´s chamber”. They made a bed especially for him, a table a stool and
a candlestick in this special room made just for him. This way he could do
whatever he needed or wanted. They were prepared for him whenever. There are
preparations to show hospitality (ie: a special fund (money set aside), an extra
roast in the freezer, a room used specifically for just guests, etc.)
I Kings 17:8-16 In verse 9, God commanded the widow and she didn´t know how she
could do it. In verse 12, she doesn´t have the means to do it. She wasn´t flat
out turning him down. In verse 15, she obeyed the Word of God. God commands you
(Romans 12:13), and you don´t know how you´ll do it. Perhaps finances are tight,
but when God commands it, He also supplies the resources to accomplish His will.
Acts 12:12 Believers were gathered at the home of Mary for prayer.
Acts 16:15 Lydia “constrained” (same word as in II Kings) Paul and his
missionary companions. She opened up her house for them to live with her. V. 40
indicates that her house was also where the church met in Phillipi.
V. “If she have washed the saints
feet”
This principle is very important for us today, which is
service with humility. It was something no one really wanted to do. It
was a menial task, actually a servant's job. Specifically ministering to saints.
Self-abasing. ILL John 13: Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, which no
person with any respect or authority would do. Jesus was setting the example.
Also, Mary washed the feet of Jesus with her tears. What are some ways that we
can demonstrate this humility? Cleaning the church; ministering to the lonely,
elderly; different needs arise that by fulfilling, it won´t put you in the
limelight, but why are we doing it? For self glory and
notice by others? No, we should be doing it to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and
minister to others.
VI. “If she have relieved the afflicted”
“To assist by providing what is needed” Afflicted refers
to a person who is experiencing trouble or suffering hardship. You´re
meeting the needs of people that are suffering and are basically neglected and
overlooked. Who are some people that Jesus ministered to that none of the
religious people would ever minister to? Lepers, demon possessed, tax
collectors, drunkards, harlots. This is an “other-person” focused woman. She is
ministering to the needs of others and looking to comfort them. She is not
focused on herself. In what ways have you relieved the afflicted? Older people
who are lonely, a phone call, a letter, a visit, etc.
VII. “If she have diligently followed every good work”
This is a woman who has been committed whole heartedly to ministering to the
needs of others. She´s not focused on herself. She´s devoted to it. It´s not
occasional or haphazard, it´s daily commitment to meeting the needs of others
whatever, whenever, wherever. It´s a matter of your will not your personality or
feelings (Titus 2:14; Titus 3:8; Ephesians 2:10) Good works are why we are left
here on earth. We should be demonstrating to others the truth of salvation.
Any woman can and SHOULD do all of these things. There are no special pre-requisites such as education, money, or talent, just a commitment to minister to others.
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