Is there a difference between men and women?

Can women lead men in the church? Can women teach men in the church? If so, does the topic or content make a difference? Should there be guidelines or boundaries? If so, what are they and when or how should they be established?

This week, we’ve been tackling 1 Timothy 2:11-15 and the difficult topic of women in ministry.

“11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing – if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.”

After looking at Adam & Eve’s relationship as our context this past week, it’s time to look at if and/or how women should teach and lead men in the church.

Women Learning (Vs. 11)

We begin with the word “learn” in verse 11.

At this time period (62-64 AD), there were numerous veins of religious and philosophical thought. However, debating religion and philosophy was a man’s game. At this time period, women were simply not permitted to learn.

The thought was that if a woman were to learn, she would be pulled away from her household duties. Though it may not seem like it to our modern ears, Paul’s statement that “A women should learn…” is a very counter-cultural and disruptive statement.

Paul and Timothy have a difficult task.

They must address problems in the church, and yet maintain the Biblical roles of men and women, all within a context where church and home are knit together.

Paul may be walking a thin cultural line, but he is clearly stating that women should be permitted and encouraged to learn Biblical principle.

Quietness or Silence?

Next we have the words “quietness” and “quiet” in verses 11 and 12. Some English translations read “silence” instead, which is unfortunate.

Archeologists and theologians have uncovered a lot in the past few decades. This term of “quietness” or “quiet” carries with it an understanding descriptive of meekness and humility, having respect for their husbands and the Elders who are teaching.

Again, not forgetting that church and home are directly connected.

By accurately understanding the word “quietness” we gain a better understanding of the word, “submission“. This word “submission” is also found in Ephesians 5:22, Colossians 3:18 and 1 Peter 3:1. All of them used to describe a wife’s relationship with her husband.

And yet, none of these passages carry the idea that women should be seen and not heard.

This is why attaching the word “silence” with Biblical “submission” is really a miss in some of our English translations. I’ll have more to say about “submission” but I’ll come back to it at the end of the message.

Women Teaching (Vs. 12)

Next, let’s focus on the words “Teach” and “Assume Authority“.

The context of this verse is a specific kind of authoritative teaching that is directly associated with the role of a pastor or elder. Note that the very next topic of Paul’s letter, found a few sentences later, in chapter 3 describes the office of pastor/elder.

Remember, chapters and verses were added later, to help us study Scripture. God led Paul to write this in a singular letter to Timothy, without chapters. By attaching verses 11-15 directly above chapter 3, we get far a better understanding.

We find the same context in 4:11, where Paul instructs Timothy (who is a pastor-elder) to “Command and teach these things.” We find it again in 5:17, speaking of Elders who teach.

We cannot simply look at 2:12 without looking at it in the context of the entire letter to Timothy. The context does not refer to all teaching nor does it refer to teaching in general.

Moreover, throughout the Epistles, whenever this type of authoritative teaching appears, it is always connected to a pastor, elder, overseer, bishop, etc. All of which are men who hold the primary spiritual oversight and responsibility of the church.

Once we accurately understand this context of authoritative Biblical teaching, we receive our Complementarian View that provides balance without abolishing God’s proper order of men and women.

When Do Women Teach and Lead?

In Titus 2, we find older women encouraged to teach younger women how to be a godly woman. In John 4, the woman at the well becomes an evangelist of sorts, after her experience with Jesus.

In the Book of Acts, Priscilla found the balance of being a wife and an evangelist, as her and her husband Aquila became major influences in the early church.

Again, the context of 1 Timothy does not refer to all teaching nor does it refer to teaching in general. It is not about a woman’s ability or intelligence, but instead about the created order and her role as a woman.

Therefore, it is not a matter of culture, but a matter of creation. And this is why Paul references Genesis immediately following verse 12.

Back to Adam & Eve (Vs. 13-14)

Earlier this week, we unpacked why Paul referenced Adam and Eve in this text. Verse 13 is used as a defense for the previous verses. And the word “first” is significant. It may not have much significance to modern ears, but in context, the word “first” is very important.

This is the same word used when speaking about our first fruits of our income, given in tithes and offerings. Or as in the first-born receiving the family birthright, carrying more blessing and freedom, but also more responsibility.

Jesus is called the First-Born of all creation.

The Biblical context of this word “first” is that whatever or whoever comes after it is to follow what has been set out before.

Contextually, this would not have been heard as an optional first, but as a definite one. Paul is explaining that within the realm of Biblical teaching and spiritual oversight, women are to follow men just as Eve followed Adam.

Next we see the word “deceived“. We also see this same word in 2 Cor. 11:3 where Paul writes, “…Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning…“

Historically, this has been gravely misinterpreted to mean that women will always be easily deceived or that they’re of lower intelligence in some way. This position just doesn’t fit with what Paul is trying to convey in 1 Timothy, nor does it fit with the rest of Scripture.

Instead, scholars believe that this is merely a statement of the events that took place at creation, to further explain Paul’s position in verse 13. We should read verse 13 and 14 together as a single statement.

It’s like Paul is saying, “Listen folks, here’s the facts. Adam came first and Eve was deceived.” Also note that this statement does not negate the fact that Adam was the one who was held responsible.

Stay Tuned…

Tomorrow, we’ll tackle the most difficult piece to this passage relating to Paul’s comments about childbearing and a woman’s salvation. (Click here to subscribe.)

CAN I GET YOUR FEEDBACK?

In 1 Timothy 2, Paul explains a difference between men and women within teaching and authority? Do these verses still hold value in modern church?