Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
professing—Greek, "promising": engaging to follow.
with good works—The Greek preposition is not the same as in I Timothy 2:9; "by means of," or "through good works." Their adorning is to be effected by means of good works: not that they are to be clothed in, or with, them (Ephesians 2:10). Works, not words in public, is their province (I Timothy 2:8, I Timothy 2:11-12; I Peter 3:1). Works are often mentioned in the Pastoral Epistles in order to oppose the loose living, combined with the loose doctrine, of the false teachers. The discharge of everyday duties is honored with the designation, "good works."
The context requires that we understand these directions as to women, in relation to their deportment in public worship, though the rules will hold good on other occasions also.
in modest apparel—"in seemly guise" [ELLICOTT]. The adjective means properly. orderly, decorous, becoming; the noun in secular writings means conduct, bearing. But here "apparel." Women are apt to love fine dress; and at Ephesus the riches of some (I Timothy 6:17) would lead them to dress luxuriously. The Greek in Titus 2:3 is a more general term meaning "deportment."
shamefacedness—TRENCH spells this word according to its true derivation, "shamefastness" (that which is made fast by an honorable shame); as "steadfastness" (compare I Timothy 2:11-12).
sobriety—"self-restraint" [ALFORD]. Habitual inner self-government [TRENCH]. I prefer ELLICOTT'S translation, "sober-mindedness": the well-balanced state of mind arising from habitual self-restraint.
with—Greek, "in."
braided hair—literally, "plaits," that is, plaited hair: probably with the "gold and pearls" intertwined (I Peter 3:3). Such gaud is characteristic of the spiritual harlot (Revelation 17:4).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Timothy 2:10:
1 Timothy 2:1
1 Timothy 2:2
1 Timothy 2:8
1 Timothy 3:16
Titus 2:3
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