Paul then concludes this opening exhortation in 1 Tim. 2:9-10 with what women should focus on. The NIV is helpful here—10 but with good deeds, [which is] appropriate for women who profess to worship God [or make a claim to godliness.] As we would expect from Paul or any other biblical author, the instruction about godliness will never end at wearing proper clothing. It includes that, but it also must include good works, which is a vast variety of deeds that benefit others.
This portrays the opposite lifestyle of the woman who adorns herself with self-exalting garb from v.9. To understand that, just think about the 2 different mindsets: 1) One mindset looks at the church and thinks, “here’s some people I can get attention from in order to get them to notice me”; 2) The other mindset says, “here’s some people I can serve since they probably have some needs I can meet.” In light of the content of v.9, it seems the following question highlights the main burden of the text: Is the attention of other Christians in the church drawn to you because of your good works OR because of immodest dress, whether too extravagant or too inappropriate/revealing? Christian women must give careful consideration to these matters in order to conduct oneself properly in the household of God (1 Tim. 3:15).