but (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works.
Perhaps Paul gave these instructions to the men (1 Timothy 2:8) and to the women (1 Timothy 2:9-10) partially to counteract the natural (fleshly) tendencies in males and females. Most men tend to be active, so it is important that they give attention to praying, which is more contemplative than active. Women like to look good, so they need to remember that good deeds are more important than good looks. [Note: See Knight, p. 136.] 