In 2 Timothy 3, the apostle Paul addresses a serious problem in the city of Ephesus. False teachers were having a great influence among the brethren there, including some women. He makes this statement, “For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts” (v. 6).

My purpose in this brief article is not to give a word-by-word exegesis of this section of scripture, but just to share some musings regarding the “silly women laden with lusts” who have been carried away, or led captive. A cursory reading of this text demonstrates that the way these women have been led away is through teaching. They are little women (this is the literal meaning of the Greek). That is, they have “little” spiritual minds. They are borne down with lusts. What kind of lusts is not specified; however, current fads dictate several sins that weigh some women down these days.

Several examples of silly women come to mind.

(1) A woman was asked what she believed on the marriage and divorce question. She turned to her husband and said, “What do we believe on that?” Silly women do not study. They have no convictions of their own. It is no wonder that they can be swept off their feet by a smooth-talking preacher of lies.

(2) Other women easily influence silly women. The bold Feinstiens and Steinems of the world sound so convincing to those who are persuaded more by rhetoric than reason. Along with other feminists of our time, they have inflamed an adversarial, combative atmosphere between men and women. So much so that even Christian women sometimes reflect the same kind of disdain for men. The male-bashing, so common in commercials, is often the conversation of professed Christian women. The hearts of such men are endangered, unlike the husband of the worthy woman of Proverbs 31 (vs. 11-12). Solomon (and he should know!) said that the earth trembles at the odious (mean) woman when she is married (Prov. 30:21-23)!

(3) Silly women accept the “pro-choice” propaganda, namely that a pregnancy consists of only a blob of non-human tissue, therefore the “pregnancy” can be terminated at will when having a baby is inconvenient. (See article: Thinking Straight About Abortion, www.christiancourier.com/penpoints/thinkingStraight.htm and the related articles listed below that article.)

(4) Silly women are influenced easily by celebrities. Young and old find it necessary to imitate Hollywood stars though many of them are dysfunctional people. They are involved in every kind of fringe religion or mystical ideology (e.g., Tom Cruse, John Travolta who endorse Scientology, and Richard Gere who embraces Buddhism). So many are in revolving-door relationships. The news of the day is often who left whom for whom, and who is having whose child. After the order of the priestesses of Hollywood, young women find it hard to be contented with the mate they chose because they expect life to be one long honeymoon, instead of a commitment to work hard to become a deeply spiritual mate determined to serve a husband to help him get to heaven (cf. Prov. 31).

(5) Silly women are easily influenced by the fashion moguls. Their models strut with the most revealing garments. Celebrity events are competitions for those who dare to wear the least clothing. Silly women, claiming to have put on Christ, will enter into the congregation of the Lord’s people wearing some of the same type of clothing. Mini-skirts were the rage in the 60’s. I thought that was horrid. Little did I know how much worse it would get. Such Christian women have no shame, but to bare cleavage. Just as those of Israel during the times of Jeremiah, they cannot blush for they have no sense of modesty (Jer. 8:12; cf. Isa. 3:16-26).

(6) Silly women do not feel the necessity to train their children in the Lord by example or by training. They miss the assemblies (Heb. 10:25-26); they cater to the flesh in every way. They allow their children to ingest every kind of ungodly entertainment; they allow them to rub shoulders with peers who have deep spiritual problems; and do little to curtail or counteract the impact. They are oblivious to the kind of influence teachers and friends possess (1 Cor. 33-34). It doesn’t seem to occur to them that teachers who are homosexual can create a tolerance for gross immorality, because after all, “he is a nice guy” and he only teaches math! They allow their children to digest evolutionary dogma through school propaganda, and seem to care little, because nothing is done to defuse the atheistic argumentation.

(7) Silly women crave the material. Precious time that belongs to the service of the Lord is spent in all manner of activities. Husbands and children are neglected, and all the while the “little woman” is crying, “I am so unhappy.”

In contrast, the godly woman laughs with confidence and contentment. This woman is kind and takes good care of her family. She is wise and industrious. The reverent woman is dignified and strong. Her clothing reflects class because she is a woman of integrity and honor. Such a woman is adored by her godly husband. Her children love her and call her blessed (cf. Prov. 31). No amount of money or worldly attention could possibly replace the contentment found in the goodness of the Lord’s way. Those who follow the Good Shepherd will repeat the refrain, “..My cup runs over. Surely, goodness and mercy (loving kindness) shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah forever” (Ps. 23:5-6).