It has been suggested to me that the reference to childbearing in 1 Timothy 2:15 places Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:12 (that he does not permit women to teach or exercise authority over men) in the context of the home. This interpretation was accompanied by the assertion that as long as the senior pastor is a male, women can teach under his authority with the approval of their husbands.
If this interpretation is correct, what biblical reason do we have for not permitting a woman to be the senior pastor of a church?
1 Timothy 2:12 is the text on which the view that only men should pastor rests. What would keep someone who takes this view from coming to the conclusion that, since 1 Timothy 2:12 applies in the home and not in the church, women can be senior pastors?
There are several indications in 1 Timothy 2 that show that Paul’s instructions here are not limited to what a man and a woman do in their home.
First, Paul’s appeal to Adam and Eve in verses 13–15 is not meant to limit what Paul has stated in verse 12 to the context of the husband and wife relationship in the home. Rather, Paul grounds what he has said in verse 12 about women not teaching men and not exercising authority over men in the pre-fall created order. Verse 13 begins with the word “for,” which indicates that Paul is now backing up what he just said in verse 12. He explains that women are not to teach or exercise authority over men because Adam was created before Eve (1 Tim 2:13). Verse 14 begins with the word “and,” indicating that Paul is now giving another reason for what he said in verse 12: Women are not to teach or exercise authority over men because Eve was deceived and became a transgressor (1 Tim 2:14). Verse 15 is not limiting the statement that women are not to teach or exercise authority over men to the context of the home, it is saying that even though Eve was deceived and became a transgressor, she can be saved through childbearing if she continues in faith.
Paul shows that verse 15 applies to women in general when he switches from the singular “she” (referring back to Eve in verse 14) at the beginning of the verse to the plural “they” in the middle of the verse. What is true of Eve is true of all women. They are not saved through the meritorious work of childbearing, but when by faith they embrace their role as women they show that they are born again. The most prominent way in which women embrace their roles as females is through childbearing, which men cannot do. But lest anyone think Paul is talking about women accomplishing their own salvation through childbearing, he adds, “if they continue in faith. . .” I take this to mean that childbearing is evidence that a woman has embraced her role as a woman, which is evidence that she has genuine faith. Verse 15 explains the manner in which Eve and her daughters can be saved, even though Eve fell to temptation. 1 Timothy 2:15 is not evidence that verse 12 only applies in the home, nor does it place these instructions in the context of the home rather than the church.
Second, we see that Paul is talking about what happens in public worship when he writes in 1 Timothy 2:8, “I desire then that in every place the men should pray. . .” The context does not change when Paul begins to talk about women in public worship in verse 9 (“likewise also . . .”). The words “in every place” probably refer to all places where Christians worship. This phrase, “in every place,” demonstrates that Paul is not limiting the instructions that follow to husband and wife relations in the home.
Third, in this context Paul instructs men to pray in public worship (2:8) and women to be dressed modestly and known for good works (2:9–10). The statement in verse 11, “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness,” indicates that Paul is now addressing public teaching. When Paul is elsewhere dealing with women learning at home, he makes that clear. For instance, he adds the phrase “at home” in 1 Corinthians 14:35. In 1 Timothy 2:11, Paul might actually be advancing women by letting them learn in public. Is it likely, given his historical context, that he would allow women to teach men? It seems that 1 Timothy 2:11–12 gives a clear answer to that question. The statements in 1 Timothy 2:11 match the statements in 1 Timothy 2:12, as both verses deal with teaching/learning and submitting/exercising authority. Verse 11 states that women are to learn and submit, and verse 12 states that they are not to teach men or exercise authority over men.
Fourth, this letter is written to Timothy, but it becomes clear that Paul was addressing the church through this letter to Timothy. We see this in the concluding words of the letter, where the “you” in the benediction, “Grace be with you” (1 Tim 6:21) is plural, not singular. The letter is to be read in the church, and there is nothing in the context of 1 Timothy 2 that indicates that the prohibitions of 1 Timothy 2:12 do not apply in the church.
Fifth, when Paul addresses husbands and wives, rather than men and women in general, he makes it clear that he is talking about husbands and wives by qualifying these Greek words (the Greek term for “woman” can also be rendered “wife,” and the Greek term for “man” can also be rendered “husband”). In these other passages, Paul makes it clear that he is talking about husbands and wives by qualifying “man” or “woman” with words like “their own” or “your” so that it is clear that he is not addressing men and women in general but wives and husbands (see 1 Cor 14:35, “if there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home;” Eph 5:22, “wives, submit to your own husbands;” 5:25, “husbands love your wives;” Col 3:18, “wives, submit to your husbands;” 3:19, “husbands love your wives;”). Apart from words like “their own” and “your,” the terms “husbands” and “wives” could just as well be translated “men” and “women.” Unlike the passages just cited, there is no indication in 1 Timothy 2:8–15 that Paul’s statements apply only to husbands and wives. In 1 Timothy 2:8–15 Paul does not qualify the words “men” and “women” with words like “their own” or “your” because he is not talking about husbands and wives but men and women in general. Paul is addressing the way that women and men behave in public worship. He is not addressing the way that husbands and wives behave at home. The statement in verse 15 about women being saved through childbearing is about women embracing femininity. If Paul were addressing husbands and wives, or if verse 12 only applied to the home, he would say so (as he does in the other texts cited in this paragraph).
Paul has said, “I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man,” and he does not qualify this statement by saying that women can teach men if the senior pastor approves, or if they have the blessing of their husbands. Such an interpretation can only stand if the interpreter himself qualifies Paul’s command by importing foreign data into the context, thereby distorting what Paul said.
Excellent and very needful stuff! You’ve posted a few times on this. Egalitarianism affects almost every aspect of our lives and culture today and needs to be confronted by what God’s word says and very few in the church have the courage or knowledge to do it. Might this be a future book topic?
What were women like then?
From what I’ve read, they stayed at home, were not educated and would rairly speak outside the home. Why would we expect anything different from Paul as he wrote his letters to try to fix the problems in the Corinth church. As for me and my family, we will do as Jesus did not what Paul said to the try to correct the problems in their church at the time.
I believe that whenever controversies of certain verses are brought up in the church, they should be compared with outer verses to find its true meaning. a.) The gifts of the Holy Spirit was given to both men and women for the edification of the body (no gender inequality) b.) Female leaders: Micah 6:4, Judges 4:4, Judges 4:1-5:31, 2 Kings 22:14-15, 2 Chronicles 34: 22-28, Phil. 4:2, Isaiah 8:3, Luke 2: 36, Acts 21:8-9, Joel 2:28.
A prophetess is simply a female prophet. Just like a prophet, a prophetess is a person called by God. A prophet (male or female) is the mouthpiece for the one who sends him or her; the prophet speaks on behalf of the sender (Exodus 7:1-2). A prophet is considered a seer (1 Samuel 9:9), because God gives him or her the gift of foreknowledge.
Obviously, two verses in the Bible can’t stand against these verses if we are to say that…One of the two, either 1 Tim. 2 and 1 Corin. 14 is a lie-which will make the entire Bible wrong or brought out of context.
Gal 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
This means that God expects every woman to have a ministry as much as he expects every male to have one.
Though the ministry of women in the New Testament churches is not prominent in the record, nevertheless, there are certain references which indicate they were frequently and widely used in various capacities. Almost all commentators agree that Priscilla and her husband Aquila were side-by-side companions of the Apostle Paul in his work both in Corinth and in Ephesus, and that of the two, Priscilla was the more gifted and capable teacher, since her name is most often listed first. They were, together, the instructors of the mighty Apollos in his early preaching efforts. Here is a clear-cut case of a knowledgeable woman being used in the teaching of a man with no hint of an objection from Paul.
Further, in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi he urges an unnamed fellow-worker (probably Epaphroditus) to “help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel,” (Philippians 4:3 NIV).
In the letter to the Romans he mentions other women who labored with him “in the Lord,” (Romans 16:1-2, et al.).
Perhaps no question would ever have arisen about the propriety of women’s ministry were it not for two passages from Paul’s hand which seem to lay severe restriction upon them. In First Corinthians 14 he says,
As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. (1 Corinthians 14:33b-35 NIV)
Again, in First Timothy 2 he says,
A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. (1 Timothy 2:11-12 NIV)
Taken by themselves, apart from their contexts, these two passages do seem to prohibit any kind of teaching ministry for women, especially in any public way, within the church. But let us look at some guidelines of interpretation which will help us in understanding just what the apostle means:
Nothing in the above quoted passages can be taken in such a way as to contradict what the apostle himself permitted, or referred to with approval, in the practice of the church. He surely did not teach one thing and practice another. If, in First Corinthians 11, he speaks with approval of a woman praying or prophesying in public, as he does, then, surely, in First Corinthians 14 he does not contradict himself by forbidding women even to open their mouths in any circumstance in the public meeting of the church. We must, therefore, read the prohibition of Chapter 14 as applying to something other than the ministry of women permitted in Chapter 11.
We must note that the immediate context of both passages quoted above has to do with the problem of disorder, and even some degree of defiance, in the actions of the women involved. In both passages, though widely separated as to recipients and locality, the word submission appears:
In Corinth the problem was one of so conducting the meeting that edification of all present would be central; therefore tongues were to be controlled and limited, and so was the exercise of prophesying. Furthermore, they were to remember that “God is not a God of disorder but of peace,” and then follows the warning against women speaking in the church. It is clear from this that the apostle was not concerned about women who properly exercised their gifts in prophesying or in praying, but was greatly concerned about women who disrupted the meetings with questions and comments, and perhaps even challenged the teaching of apostolic doctrine with contrary views. This is what he prohibited, as Verse 37 makes crystal clear:
If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. (1 Corinthians 14:37 NIV)
He then closes the whole section with the admonition, “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way,” (1 Corinthians 14:40 NIV).
The word to Timothy (who was probably living at Ephesus) is similar in character. The general context in which these words about women appear is concerned with regulating the behavior of Christians at meetings, as 3:14 makes clear:
Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:14-15 NIV)
In line with this purpose, Paul tells the men how to pray (without anger or disputing), and the women how to adorn themselves (not with fine clothing but with good works), and from this he moves to the words of prohibition against a woman teaching or having authority over a man. These words cannot be taken as an absolute (no woman should ever teach a man) for if that were true Paul should have rebuked Priscilla for having a part in instructing Apollos. The words “have authority over” provide us the key to understanding this passage. Women should not be permitted the role of authoritative definers of doctrine within the church. They must not be permitted to do this, even though they may mean well, for the role of authoritative interpreters is given by the Holy Spirit to the apostles and elders, who, in the New Testament, were invariably men. This is supported by Paul’s references to Adam and Eve which follows.
From this we are warranted in drawing certain conclusions to guide our conduct today: Women certainly can teach. They are given the gift of teaching as freely as it is given to men, and they must exercise those gifts. Women can teach within the context of church meetings. They are certainly free to teach children and other women without question, but are free to teach men as well if what they are teaching is not a challenge to the understanding of doctrine held by the elders of the church. Many godly and instructed women know far more about the Scriptures then many men, and it would be both absurd and unscriptural to forbid such men to learn from such women.
Replying to: These words cannot be taken as an absolute (no woman should ever teach a man) for if that were true Paul should have rebuked Priscilla for having a part in instructing Apollos,
Yes Priscilla was mentioned but why leave out her husband? Act 18:2 Aquilla ? In every instance she was mentioned, was not Aquilla her husband? Act 18:26 when “Aquila”—-and —– Priscilla had heard.
The elect must be careful to avoid being overly distracted by the pointless controversies that occupy the goats of the church. Churchmen may ordain women priests or chaplains, excommunicate each other from their denominations and “isms”, marry homosexuals, unionize their “clergy” to prevent abuse by the “laity” and whatever other antics in which they continually immerse themselves. That is for the orcs of another realm mired in bickering, the neo-pagans arguing amongst each other, the blind wrestling the blind into the pit. Theirs is not a valid debate for the elect. Theirs is a kingdom of this world that has no intention of submitting to the Word of God. The kingdom of the elect is not of this world and must inherently and willingly bow to the Word of God.
It is a favorite ploy of goats to attempt to evade the Word in this particular subject by saying it is just a cultural item and no longer applies. With this same pretext they can (and do) excuse themselves from countless truths which they do not like simply by labeling them as belonging to an age that has passed and no longer valid. For instance, one variation on this specific theme is that the apostle Paul supposedly referred to an organizational problem: namely that women sat separately at the periphery in “early churches” (following previous Jewish traditions in synagogue arrangements) and had to shout out to their husbands for the meaning of a doctrinal interpretation, resulting in such disorder that they were instructed to keep silent, a situation that no longer applies today.
The fact is that the elect met in all kinds of venues, especially houses, some with standing room only so that one might even fall out a window. There was no such separation of men from women, nor was there any building of churches. It was the early Christians who strove to re-create the house made with hands. That is what remains, for instance, in the ruins of ancient Corinth. I have examined that “church” structure and nothing about it persuades me it was an elect venture or undertaking but merely another example of early copy-cats blending the Word with pagan traditions and temple devotion that Christ had rendered obsolete. Paul in particular was a stickler in avoiding the Jewish customs which his Master had swept away, even facing off with the apostle Peter when he erred in this area, declaring that to build again what was rightfully destroyed was outright sin. (Galatians 2:11-18) Paul did not write to a church, ever, for we now know that this is an unscriptural term except to describe the pagan temple, and should be struck from every occurrence in erroneous Bible translations where it has been inserted to refer to God’s chosen.
The apostle’s teaching regarding women is not some temporary ethnic or cultural doctrine, like the various health-related rules where God forbade the eating of certain animals and then later permitted it. There is no later change of instruction with regards to the role or position of women in Scripture; nor can there be. The answer to the question is really very simple. But, before I state the obvious and evident conclusion, I invite you to examine many facets of this particular gem, the same truth viewed from many angles, because it is a precious stone if seen in its correct context. This rock hard yet luminous diamond helps separate the wheat from the tares, especially in today’s environment where the children of disobedience are scrambling over each other to deny and distort the truth.
•It is not credible that women should be silent in absolute terms: not greet, not sing a psalm, not pray, not ever open their mouths among their fellows in Christ. It cannot be, not with the masses of Scriptural encouragement to all the saints, male and female, to sing praises and pray and give thanks. Women not included? That kind of dogma led to the formation of many early sects that put women in cloisters and eventually helped spawn the worst and most repressive of all the Judeo-Christian offshoots which we now know as Islam. Such subjugation of women is not the Way, Truth or Life. To relegate women to that level of muteness, confining them behind doors and veils, is a very great evil.
•Jesus said he would be there where even two or three elect are gathered. Is he not there when two or three women meet? Of course. Are they to sit in silence? Of course not. If there is a man present are they then constrained to be speechless? Inconceivable.
•To whom did Christ first reveal himself as the real and lasting water, and blow away the delusions she had of the worldly “house of God” (so cherished by church goats in all generations)? A Samaritan woman, much to the amazement and objections of his Jewish apostles.
•Whom did Jesus commend for choosing the “good part,” the real and lasting bread, the Word over the kitchen? A woman. (Luke 10:42) Would that all men could be so attentive and forget thinking about their bellies!
•Who were in the majority to attend the crucifixion and the guarded tomb? Women.
•When Jesus wistfully says that God’s laborers are few, is he meaning just men, because women do not count to speak and enlighten others in the revelation of his Word? Not credible.
•Does the company of saints, the royal priesthood, which is the truly ordained Body of Christ (made up of God’s chosen and predestined children, whose names are in the book of life from eternity, and who therefore must all function in this office of revealing God to man and bringing man to God) not include women? It cannot possibly be so.
Having said all that I now look at this matter from another viewpoint. But before I do that let me caution you in considering an often misquoted Scripture: that in Christ there is “neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female” because all the elect are “one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) This is quite true in the light of salvation, and that is clearly the context in this verse in Galatians, the equality of saved souls. We could rightly add, “neither black nor white, neither king nor subject, neither psychiatrist nor mental patient, neither adult nor child.” That does not give them all the same status in other contexts, especially in the area of authority. This is the same apostle Paul, here writing to the Galatians, who also wrote that a woman was not permitted to teach or have authority over a man, or to speak in the elect assembly. So then, how can this be? To understand we must also look at the rest of the Biblical picture, where we are faced with these hard and fast facts.
•God is always referred to in male terminology in His Word. The neo-pagan goats of the church are of course working on changing this, and have always done so, either leaning to the goddesses of outright paganism, inventing female co-saviours like Mary, or trying to “neuter” God by rewriting the Bible to suit the “politically correct.” There will be no help for these creatures on the Last Day. Do not be found in agreement with such sacrilege, unless of course you actually hope to spend eternity in such company.
•God sent his only begotten Son, not a daughter. This may seem obvious to you, but it is a most hated truth to extreme feminists or sodomites trying to pervert gender or make a she-male of the Lord. Jesus said that men and women “neither marry nor are given in marriage” in heaven (Matthew 22:30) but he did not say that there was neither male nor female in heaven. Quite the contrary. It is true that “it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,” writes the apostle John, “but we shall be like him (Christ).” (1 John 3:2) Like Christ, the elect may have new and imperishable bodies but they also take with them the selves they once were in this world, albeit purified from every blemish. The resurrected Christ was still a man, and though he pre-existed as the eternal Son of God he returned to heaven taking that body with him. He sat down again as the Son (not daughter) at the right hand of the Father (not mother).
•There is no Mother of God, except in Christian cursing. Mary, the surrogate, who was indeed extremely blessed beyond imagination as the vessel for the formation of Christ in the flesh, was just that, simply, and miraculously apart from the normal way of human life, the bearer of the child Jesus. She did not conceive God. She was, in a sense, the mother of the man, but not the Mother of God, Who is eternal and has no beginning or end. The blasphemous title, Mother of God, was an invention of the Early Church. Nor is Mary the physical expression of the Holy Spirit, as some Christians like to describe her. The Holy Spirit is always referred to as a distinct person, as the Lord, and in male terminology throughout Scripture, including all references to him in Christ’s own words. (For a concise overview of his person and work see: Spirit Of The Living God)
•God first made man in his image, and subsequently took from his side the woman and helpmate. (Genesis 2; I Corinthians 11: 8,9) The first human being made from the dust of the earth was a man, not a woman. (1 Corinthians 15:45-49) The apostle Paul uses this essential truth in a very specific area concerning women not being allowed to speak. (1 Timothy 2:11-13)
•The forefathers are called just that, fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), not foremothers (Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, Rachel), even though God’s children would not exist without these women of faith.
•The heads of all the tribes of Israel were men.
•The deliverer from Egypt and Messianic foreshadower was male.
•The major and minor prophets (man-made terms, none are minor) through whom such awesome revelations poured were all men.
•Israel was granted kings, not queens (although they should have desired neither).
•Jesus chose 12 apostles, all men. Not 6 men and 6 women. Not even 11 men and one woman, and this despite his close and faithful female associates.
•The main helpers chosen to assist the apostles at home base, in the early assembly at Jerusalem, were men. (e.g. Stephen)
•The main aides chosen by the apostles for their travels were men (e.g. Timothy, Luke).
•Although we do not know the name of the writer of every book in the Old Testament, the ones we do know are all men, and the few we do not know are assumed to be men (e.g. Samuel as the author of Ruth, Mordecai or Ezra as the author of Esther) because the assignment of the written Word was never given to women.
•Every book in the New Testament has a male author.
This could be pursued in further detail but there is by far sufficient here to show that this principle is not simply an Old Testament or New Testament principle (again, man-made terms) but one truth, and the Bible is one book for those who are one in the Lord, his elect. Yes we have an Esther and a Ruth and a Mary and so many others who played such vital roles in times and tasks where a million men went unnamed in Scripture. But women have never been in authority in the way that men were so placed by God, and they can never assume this particular headship to substitute for men. Women may do this in the church but in terms of the kingdom of God they cannot succeed, no matter how extreme their effort, not even if they do it by dressing like a man or physically trying to “change” their gender, because they are already in the wrong body altogether.
So now I will state it categorically. When the Word says that women should “be silent” or “not speak” it means that they cannot presume to act as the principal authority, speaker, teacher or leader in one of the elect assemblies, the kind of gathering to whom the apostle Paul expressly addressed his letters. It may be helpful here to compare the subordinate position of a woman in the family (dealt with in detail in Ephesians 5:22-33, except that the word church should be replaced in every instance with a correct term;) with the secondary position of a woman in an elect assembly. There is an obvious parallel truth. In both situations a woman may talk or sing or pray but in neither situation, physical family group or spiritual family gathering, may she be head, or speak as if she was in the position of head. It is a delicate balancing act. If a woman is confined to silence inappropriately the circumstances descend into the repression of Islam and other cults that Satan has concocted to replace the Truth and the Life. But if she speaks as head, taking that place of a man, then that too is a substitution for the Way, and substitution is the name of the game in Satan’s grand plan.
This is not license for chauvinism on the part of men nor an invitation for willfulness on the part of their female helpmates. Men did not make themselves in headship, and many would rather not have this authority or responsibility. But they did not make the world, and neither did women. The creatures shall answer to the Creator, and woe to those who would claim to rewrite His statutes and ordinances. And this they do, having no fear of God, no beginning of wisdom whatsoever. If the goats would redefine “marriage” as the union of two men or two women (who is head in such sodomite relationships? and what is coming next as a family? three women? two men and a dog?) then they will certainly try to put forward women priests and pastors. But again, that is for the church, not for the children of God, not for the Lord’s chosen.
This is hardly a big exclusion, that women may not be head or speak as such. It is no different from the Lord saying, “you may eat the fruit of all the trees in the garden except for this one.” The Word does not exclude elect women speaking in a host of other contexts, but it does prevent them in this one area, and herein lies the temptation. Indeed, the goats of both genders so covet and strive to create such futile positions in their house made with hands that they will call each other “father” and “mother” and even “mother-superior” or “reverend” in direct contradiction of Scripture because they so love to disobey. It is precisely what they are told not to do that they crave all the more, and why they will fall and perish, as they are destined to do. Leave them where they belong, in church. It is bad enough that men take up positions as hireling shepherds, let alone women. Let churchmen and churchwomen do whatever they will as they stumble without fear toward the wide gate, and let the elect walk in the narrow and straight Way set out for them in the Word.
“Let this mind be in you,” writes the apostle Paul, “which was also in Christ Jesus.” What mind? The mind that does not demand the higher position but rather accepts one’s appointed life of service, with humility and obedience, even to the death if necessary. (Philippians 2:5-8) If Christ himself so complied to his Father’s will so too should the children of God strive to obey (which the Goats do not) with fear and trembling (which the goats lack) in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (which the goats are) by holding to the word (which the goats twist) otherwise the race is in vain (which it is, for the goats). (Philippians 2:12-15) Jesus demonstrated precisely this mind of compliance to his disciples, and taught them to pray: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)
God’s will concerning women is clear and simple enough. Simple, that is, in statement, not necessarily in understanding or reception. The most studied churchman or “theologian” will remain blind and obstinate while the uneducated fisherman, given ears to hear, can both see and submit. If you find it difficult to accept then consider the supreme example of Christ who most certainly did consent to his Father’s will in every aspect, no matter how hard the plan or the way. “Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) Many times the Lamb of God repeated this truth, that he came not to do his own will but that of his Father. (John 4:34, 5:30, 6:38) Goats do not have this objective in mind, nor is it written in their hearts. They seek to do their own will and say it is God’s way. They live, and die, in a substitute.
Jesus Christ told His disciples to establish no offices of oversight or exercising authority upon.whatsoever.
Jesus Christ never instituted an institutional church.
So, as you are moving deck chairs on the Titanic… remember, it’s the Titanic.
Man built it. Not God.
No one worth their salt would walk through the doors of an institutional church to begin with.
And where one meets in Upper Rooms… all are free to speak as lead of the Spirit equal as brothers and sisters.
AMEN!!!
James,
Good analysis of the text. I think you’re right – this prohibition applies to both the home and to public worship. But I wonder why we do not apply this prohibition to all areas of life: even the work place. If the text is given its full force it must mean that any circumstance where a woman has authority over a man is a perversion of the created order! Unless one adopts a religious-secular dichotomy where we have one set of rules for life in the church and another set of rules for life in secular society (which I do not think that the Bible envisages) I don’t think it can be taken any other way. That would have serious implication for a Christian man who has a female boss – should he resign? Should we petition against women in congress? This led John Knox to renounce the reign of Elizabeth I since a woman should not rule over men in a Christian nation. Viewed this way, what Paul says would resonate with Greco-Roman attitudes that thought it wrong for a man to let himself be dominated by an inferior. Jim, do you see an alternative to this perspective or is this taking the prohibition too far? I confess to be playing the devi’s advocate here, but this is something I’ve really been thinking about. That and the head-covering issue since Paul grounds that topic in the ordering of creation as well. A penny for your thoughts?
Hi I’ve been also wondering about this question for quite sometime. I came across this article which traces the root of the Word in the original language.
It did help me quite about in getting things.
hope it helps you too
http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/should-women-speak-or-participate-in-church-services-1.html
Mike,
Hey great to hear from you! Thanks for your kind words.
I don’t want to adopt a sacred/secular dichotomy, but I do want to recognize that it is not the church’s job to impose biblical morality on the unregenerate. Paul refused to judge outsiders (1 Cor 5:12), and I think he would tell us that we should preach the Gospel to the society and if/when they believe the contours of the faith will leaven into their thinking, even their thinking about gender (assuming the word is being boldly proclaimed!).
What about Christian ladies in the workplace? I think we should encourage women to take the text seriously, submit themselves to it, and wrestle with God in prayer as to how it should affect what they do. It may be possible for women to be very feminine in the way they handle themselves in corporate contexts. Perhaps they will exercise a “matronly” authority, and maybe there’s something from Proverbs 31 for them. But I think that the teach/authority prohibition in 1 Tim 2:12 matches what elders are commended for in 1 Tim 5:17–ruling well and preaching and teaching. So women should definitely not do these things in the church–teach/preach and exercise authority. Nor should women be elders in Christian churches.
Head coverings: I think that Paul is happy for women to pray and prophesy in the church as long as they do so in an explicitly feminine way–so in that context women were to cover their heads and men were not to cover their heads. I think head coverings are like holy kisses–we’re not necessarily bound to the expression but we are bound to the principle. We need to greet each other warmly, even if we don’t kiss each other. Similarly, women need to be clearly distinguishable from men, even if they don’t have their heads covered.
Your thoughts are welcomed.
Great to hear from you!
Jim
Jim,
I always appreciate when people interpret scripture in light of both the immediate and broader scriptural context. Good words!
You’ve probably heard about the Sunday School teacher (81-year-old Mary Lambert) being removed from her class she had been teaching for 54 years. (See story here, and an example of someone taking 1 Tim 2:12 out of context.) Actually, I think the whole article is a good example of bad exegesis. :~)
Do you see teaching and exercising authority as being inseparably joined in this verse (1 Tim 2:12)? I do. (In other words, its not either teach or exercise authority, but it is both teach and exercise authority, i.e., hold a governing position in the church.) I think because of the context flowing into chp3, Paul is specifically prohibiting women from being elders. Like Mike, I also see the connection with 1 Tim 5:17. However, I do not think removing Mary Lambert from her Sunday School class is a proper application of 1 Tim 2:12. What do you think?
Steve,
Thanks for your note. Andreas Kostenberger’s chapter in the book Women in the Church has established beyond dispute that teaching and exercising authority are indissolubly linked in 1 Timothy 2:12 (the grammar also establishes this, as both “teach” and “exercise authority” are infinitives that complement the main verbal clause “I do not permit”). Kostenberger says that teaching is one manifestation of exercising authority. I would add that in the church, authority comes from teaching the Word of God. I think Kostenberger is right when he says that Paul moves from the particular (teaching) to the general (exercising authority).
On that lady Sunday School teacher, well, Paul says women are not to teach or exercise authority over men. So if she was teaching men (I think it’s okay for women to teach boys) the options are (a) take the men out of her class and put them under a male teacher, or (b) put a male teacher in that class.
Hope this helps!
JMH
I am egalitarian, but I agree with your dismissal of this argument. I cannot imagine that it was advanced with much authority. As you thoroughly point out, Paul was without a doubt addressing public teaching.
More to the point, Paul was addressing women used to having authority in their spheres and who were bringing that habit of authority into the church without understanding Christian truth. They had been deceived by early local gnostics, and were promulgating their errors. Among those was that Eve was created before Adam, and that Eve actually gave Adam life.
Paul forbids to Timothy that these women should be allowed to teach that women were above men.
Dr. Hamilton, I was reading from the email that spurred this post on just a minute ago and decided to try to find your website and was so encouraged that you have a biblical response to the email already posted. I first want to encouarage you in that my father who decided to leave a class taught by a couple after I preseneted him with I Tim 2 got a call from his friend who attended your presentation. The friend apologized to my father because a year ago when he asked my dad for the reason he left, he said he almosted laughed but after hearing your presentation he is being convicted about the stance that he took. Praise be to God! Hearts were changed that night and I wanted to encourage you in that.
Thank you for making the clarification that there is no distinction between home and public worship here in those scriptures. I agree with you and am perplexed by those who say that there is. The church has taken those scriptures and turned them backwards to make something from them that will fit into the femminist society we live in, not a biblical one. Many have conformed to the world on this. One comment I heard from your presentation from a lady was “this was the society that Paul lived in.” My heart is so saddened by that comment. May we be a church that believes that every God breathed word in the Bible has complete and utter authority over our lives.
I have had many people laugh or get mad at me when I have spoken out against women teaching over men in my church but I know the stance that I take is in line with scripture and I will not conform to anything else. People need to hear a biblical response to this issue. Thank you again and again for presenting a hard subject to my church and not leaving it there but you are still responding.
Dear codepoke,
That’s an interesting interpretation. If you’re right, why doesn’t Paul forbid women to “teach false doctrine”?
I don’t find your view persuasive because “teaching”–when it’s not modified by something like “false” or the like, is always used positively in the Pastoral epistles. I think if Paul was only forbidding false teaching, he would have said so.
Thanks for your affirmation of what I wrote!
JMH
Casey,
Hearty thanks for this encouraging word!
JMH
Jim,
Thanks for the response. However, I doubt she was exercising authority over anyone. As you point out, teaching and exercising authority are two sides of a coin. I understand that coin to be eldership. She was not an elder. Nevertheless, I can live with our disagreement.
I should have stated this in my previous comment, but it didn’t come to mind until I was out cutting my grass. I do not believe there is a biblical distinction that creates two classes of elders — ruling and teaching. I interpret 1 Tim 5:17 to be speaking of one class of elders who both teach and rule (like 1 Tim 2:12, both/and not either/or). This is a common interpretation held by conservative scholars and pastors. Mark Dever discusses the debate over this issue in his article Baptists and Elders (link). He states, “What Baptists finally, largely and rightly—I think—concluded, is that there can be no distinction between ruling and teaching in the eldership.”
Grace & peace to you!
Thanks Steve,
I agree that there should be no distinction between teaching and ruling elders, and I agree that 1 Tim 5:17 is informative for interpreting 1 Tim 2:12.
But since 1 Tim 2:12 says “I don’t permit a woman to teach . . . a man” rather than “I don’t permit a woman to be an elder,” I don’t think women should teach men.
With you for the Gospel,
Jim
Well…at least we can all still agree that they shouldn’t be allowed to drive.
Jim, this is a good word, and a timely one. Complementarians are divided on this very issue, and we need to be talking about it so that we can reach a consensus on what the Bible teaches.
Thanks,
Denny
Jim, What about in Timothy when Paul commends Timothy for learning from his mother and grandmother? I thought the role of the moms were to teach. I agree that dads should be the spiritual leaders in the home, but what about the homeschooling moms.
i also agree that boys that are being taught by moms only tend to be confused about certian things when he grows up. I heard James Dobson talk the other day of some men not devoloping their masculinity because of tthe lack of male teaching in their lives.
Debbie,
I think what Paul says applies to women teaching men (that’s what he prohibits), not women teaching boys.
Clearly, the Bible expects mothers to teach their sons (cf. Prov 1:8 “forsake not your mother’s teaching”).
Hope this helps!
JMH
Jim,
Just out of curiosity, what was the age of adulthood in the NT times and how does that affect this discussion? We commonly think of 18 but is that what they thought of when they thought of adults? What if they thought adulthood was younger or older? How then does that affect when Complementarians cut off the teaching of males for women?
Jim have you ever read or learned anything from a woman Biblical scholar? There are plenty of really good ones out there. Does your position keep you from reading what they’ve written in Biblical Studies?
Also it seems like the age leading up to adult hood would be some of the most important times for teaching and laying the foundation in a Christian’s life, and if women were able to teach then why not after? Do men have to then forget what they we’re taught as a child or teenager from a woman? Does that woman who has taught them for so many years all of the sudden cease to be of worth in their learning?
Just some questions. If you only answer one please answer the first. Thanks.
Blessing,
Bryan L
I am speechless at this entire discussion and article. It’s the most incredible example I have ever seen of a bizarre perversion of everything I have been taught about Christianity. You do realize that the nearest advocates of this point of view are the Taliban? Certainly you are aware of the suicide rate of intelligent, educated women under that system? Do none of you have daughters? Can you seriously mean you would rather they not drive, or work, or teach? What if they simply never meet anyone suitable to marry? Should they simply sit on welfare? What is your concrete vision of a viable future under this arrangement? I sincerely hope you’re just kidding?
I am not surprised about what happened to the woman or about the entire discussion. The Bible teaches the old, conventional way of thinking that women should not teach men because back then, men ruled over the wives and provided for them. Notice that when they count people, they count men by “strength” or by number and women as “women and children” without specifying any number at all.
But today, we’re in the modern age. She shouldn’t have lost her job. Why did she lose it now? Why not earlier on? I think it’s cruel and callous. “Yeah, you’re a woman and you shouldn’t be teaching men, never mind that you’ve dedicated so many years of your life to this church teaching Sunday school.” If we lived according to the Bible, we would not allow women to compete with men in the work force, no women would be CEOs or mayors or governors or other occupations that only men held in the past. My guess is that the young pastor, felt intimidated by her because maybe she had more respect than him or some internal politics, so he used that passage as an excuse to get rid of her. Notice, he was not sad to see her go. He was probably smiling and laughing about it later.
And Arabs are not that far off from Jewish actually, according to the Bible. Abraham had a concubine, Hagar who gave birth to Ishmael. After Sarah gave birth to Isaac, Hagar and her son were expelled to the desert to die, but they survived to become the Arab race.
This whole position assumes that the senior pastor is the “governing authority” in the church. The authority in the church always has been and always will be the “elders”. The Pastor has become the “Wizard of Oz”but this was never intended to be so. The way in which people interpret this passage always makes me laugh. SO if I understand this correctly, Eve was deceived so woman can never teach, Adam wasn’t deceived, He just outright chose to transgress, so this makes “Men” better qualified to “lead”.
Also, If there is neither Jew nor Gentile, Male nor Female, etc, If we are no longer under “law” but under “grace”, if the “old testament” is now “obsolete”, can someone please tell me where “the church” comes up with all of these “laws” that they use to weigh people down and set themselves up as the authority and leaders?!
As a Jewish Beleiver, I find the present thinking to be utterly ridiculous, and it shows the type of hypocrisy that is rampant in the church today.
Let me give you an example….If I were to say that we should honor the Sabbath (sun down friday to sun down saturday) there would be a host of people telling me why that’s not true and that is “the law” and the “law is dead”.
But these very same people will then begin to tell of all “the laws” they love to follow because it enables them to be “lord’s over women”.
I think every christian should just take Hebrew and Greek courses and stop listening to lunatics that try to make the Will of God into a battle of the sexes.
Here is my two cent for what it’s worth… I study scripture with other scripture because it all has to come together as a whole and in the right context etc…
In John 3:29
He who has the bride is the bridegroom; and
Rev 19:7b
for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”
Ephesians 5:23-24
For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
That’s pretty clear to me.
We know that Christ is the bridegroom and the church is His bride. We “the church” must answer to Christ because He is the head of the church. The wife in the same way must answer to her husband.
In God’s word there is an order to things and it is not necessarly one better than the other. In Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus and
Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. As far as I can tell angels are male or sexless but it implys that they are all the same whatever they are. It is here on earth that this order of husband and wife takes place. The husband answers to God for the unit and the wife answers to the husband the kids answer to their parents. The husband must treat the wife with respect and the wife must treat the husband with respect. Both are accountable for their actions. If there is a disagreement in the marriage and it is in the guidelines of what scripture says the wife is to submit to her husband and he answers to God. If the issue is against God’s truth and would cause the wife to sin then she has permission to say NO! to her husband. In Genesis 12:13 Abram says to Sarai “Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you.” Sarai should have told him NO you will cause me to sin just trust God. See the order?
I believe a woman is over stepping that line of authority and out of order in putting herself out front in the senior position it blurres the line. I’ve heard missionaries (woman) speak at reachouts and woman Sunday school teachers teach which doesn’t seem to bother anyone, its not a senior position and everyone knows it. Usually all can speak up in a Sunday school class its of a lighter nature and open for discussion.
Anyway that is my feeble attempt at this controversial subject.
I do see what you’re saying, thank you, Linda. I appreciate it. I wish I could embrace this teaching in such a way that every question didn’t cause me such confusion – but I fear for now my own struggles with pride/self-sufficiency prevent it. Maybe someday I’ll get it! =)
lightcontrast–nothing against arabs in general, just Taliban policies in particular.
The God I believe in would not expect me to hide and pretend not to have the talents He has seen fit to give me. Why would I have them otherwise? If I get promoted at work because I do my job well, am I supposed to refuse just because I might have male subordinates? How does it serve Him better if my family has less to live on?
With all the harm that has been done to women throughout history due to the ridiculious notion that women should be submissive to men, it makes me sick to my stomach to know that there are still people arguing over nonsense such as this.
Good day to you.
It’s amazing how shocked people are when the Word of God comes into conflict with contemporary worldly prejudices and illustrates how serious the need is for this discussion to be happening, and not just on here either. A lot of people want to follow Jesus, but only if Jesus goes along with what they believe is right or wrong. The Bible’s teaching is pretty clear and unambiguous and it’s funny that no one thought to question or deny it until after the feminist movement of the 1960’s.
It has only been since the 60s that women have had the time to read and study the scriptures enough to think about teaching a Bible study. Before the 60s a man worked from sun to sun but a woman’s work was never done.
I am a bit buzzed for time, so I shall have to be quick. Firstly, I am very confused as to why you base your entire arguement on 1 Tim and do not refer to any other Pauline texts. Perhaps you are using your text as pre-text? Now, I can see how not utilising other texts would make understanding on such an issue easier – because Paul’s position on women is actually a far more complex issue than you have outlined. In relation to ministry, what of Phoebe and Thecla? Paul greets these women as equals. What of Paul’s rhetoric of freedom and love? And what of Paul’s attack on the law? For we are all one in Jesus Christ – Christ and God do not recognise such boundaries.
You mention that Paul gave women a better condition in Greco-Roman society, which he most certainly did. What of carrying on in the spirit of Paul?
Secondly, I am also incredibly confused with your reference to Paul as the author of 1 and 2 Tim. 1 Tim. is widely recognised to be a pseudo-Pauline text. It was written late 1st century, early 2nd in a reaction to cultural climate. I am wondering why you base your arguement on a text that is essentially a fake. Although, of course it is still a part of the canon – but it’s not Paul’s.
I’m actually going to upload my interpretation of Gal 3: 28 later today. It will approach many of the problems that I see here. (and your welcome to point out problems that you see in my own writing)
I forgot – I also think that your interpretation of Eve is problematic. I’ve written on this as well: Eve A Reinterpretation of Genesis 2-3
Jim,
Thank you for the respect in which you have handled this post. I see my response follows Natalie’s comments above in which I sense what seems to be a near ad hominem argument and a blasphemous rejection of the authority of scripture. I fear God’s judgment with her concerning her careless handling of scripture.
In regards to your blog entry and teaching on the subject. I have yet to hear a thorough rebuttal from the opposing side. I have heard your stance referred to as an opinion. In doing so, those in disagreement are able to dismiss the argument based on the premise that it is okay to hold differing views. This sorrows me and I long for adequate wrestling with the text to assertain the truth. I uphold a quote attributed to St. Augustine then reaffirmed by Richard Baxter: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.”
Your brother in Christ,
David Wells, not the scholar
The Bible’s teaching were never called into question until after the feminist movement?
You must be joking. Tell me you are joking.
Blessings.
On this particular issue. There was no serious movement towards egalitarianism by those in the church until the world went egalitarian in the 60’s.
Study history. The Protestant Reformation. John Knox got in a lather over his political differences with Scottish Queens who were Catholic and tried to get rid of them by using this scripture. So, yes, this was an issue even in the 1500s.
Aaron, that’s probably true in most cases that the elders are the ones in control. But from a news report, it implied or said that the pastor laid her off over a biblical passage. There was no mention of the elders, if they assented or dissented with his decision to tell her that she can’t teach there anymore. Fortunately, she was offered another position at another church.
The old testament is not entirely “obsolete.” I think about it as law. In law, there have been many laws written in the past, but we don’t still abide by those laws. There have been some unusual and funny state and local laws. Times change and so have society’s morals and values and expectations about what the law should be like. On that line of reasoning, in church, leaders should change or make adjustments to what is expected of Christians. Like, it’s not a practice for stoning of harlots. Back then, that’s what they did to trashy women and women who committed adultery. The Puritans had public humiliation for that. Do you think churches should revert back to that old practice of stoning? I don’t think so.
Veltis – I understand. I just felt like mentioning a fact that’s usually golossed over by Christians who believe the Bible.
Jim,
Thank you for the dialogue and the challenge. For me, the honest dialogue through various blogs has been a great blessing, and I can always count on you for civility, charity, conviction, sound reasoning, solid exegesis…essentially everything that is needed for iron sharpening iron in a Christlike manner. I concur with Denny that we need to be talking about this. A long time ago I settled the issue of what authority would be the foundation of my life. It is honest, substantive discussions prompted by your original post that can help us wrestle with real world issues.
Grace & peace to you
You’re wrong. All the verses you listed aren’t referring to just at home. Women may teach at home, but they have no place in the pulpit. Why do you think there are no female apostles if Jesus thought it was alright for women to teach? Would you honestly say Jesus wassexist? Because that’s the only other way you can explain that. You can’t interpret the bible. Period. You either understand it or you don’t. God left no room for interpretation. It’s so easy to understand, why would you need to think about it? Unless you were looking for a way to get what you want. You know that a teacher that leads the flock away will burn in a hotter place in Hell? If I were you I’d watch what I posted.
Hi David! I actually didn’t know what ‘ad hominen’ meant so I had to look it up. Here is the wikipedia definition:
An ad hominem argument, also known as argumentum ad hominem (Latin, literally “argument against the person”) involves replying to an argument or assertion by attacking the person presenting the argument or assertion rather than the argument itself.
A (fallacious) ad hominem argument has the basic form:
A makes claim X.
There is something objectionable about A.
Therefore claim X is false.
A classic example derives from the Deutsche Physik movement, which argued as follows:
Einstein claims relativity is correct.
Einstein is Jewish.
Hence relativity is false.
I don’t think pointing to other Pauline writings is fallacious. I was questioning why Jim hasn’t included these in his arguement that women can’t teach. In actuality, these texts are widely considered crucial to the current arguement, from both sides!
Perhaps you were referring to my questions on the matter of 1Tim being pseudo-Pauline. I reiterate – I am confused as to why one would refer to such a text as Pauline. This does not mean that Jim’s arguement is pointless, but it does mean that it is futile if one is making such an arguement on the basis that it is Pauline. One cannot argue that A= 2xB if A is in actual fact B.
My is with the construction of an entire arguement on the basis that it is Pauline, when it does not in fact deal with Pauline thought on the matter: this would apply even if one was arguing for the ability of women to teach and only rely on Rom 16. An arguement is not made on one text within Bible or Pauline studies.
Hamilton states that one cannot qualify such a statement without drawing “foreign data into the study” thus distorting what Paul meant. But the thing is, 1 Tim was not written by Paul – it was written in reaction to a) contemporaneous problems in the post-Pauline church and b) in reaction to Paul’s own teachings that stated otherwise. 1 Tim is in actual fact drawing ‘foreign’ data into the Pauline discussion to clarify what the author wanted.
Bryan,
I don’t think first century folk shared our modern notion of adolescence, so the answer to your question is probably that the age of 13 or so was seen as one’s entrance into adulthood. I have not researched this question, however, so I might be wrong on that point.
I think that each woman who teaches males who are not men should wrestle with the text and seek the Lord on what the cutoff age for them should be. Some women will feel comfortable teaching college students, some high schoolers, some only middle schoolers.
I do read female biblical scholars, and I don’t think Paul’s comments in 1 Tim 2:12 prohibit women pursuing writing ministries.
I think an important question for us to ask as we consider the issues you raise is this: as a boy becomes a man, which in our culture seems to happen some time between ninth grade and the age of 30, would it be most helpful for him to be taught the Bible by a man or by a woman? It seems to me that as a boy becomes a man he needs to see that it’s okay for a man to love Jesus. He needs to see that the rednecks don’t have a monopoly on manliness. He needs to see men eager to walk with the Lord and stand on the truths of Scripture. He needs to see that Christianity is not a wimp’s religion.
Becoming a man does not at all involve a repudiation of what we have learned from women. Becoming a man means that we begin to shepherd and protect women, that we care for them and love them and become their champions, desiring what is best for them.
Hope this helps!
Jim
————-
Shelah,
Thanks for your note.
It seems to me that Paul grounds the prohibition in 1 Tim 2:12 in an appeal to the pre-fall created order. Some complementarians limit the statements that women should not teach or exercise authority over men to the home and the church. Other complementarians say that since the appeal is to creation, Christians should seek to embody the ideas here in all areas of life.
The policy at the school where I teach (www.swbts.edu) is that women will not teach men in the school of theology (which means they won’t teach Bible and theology to men). Women can and do, however, teach men in non-Bible, non-theology classes.
I think you should seek the Lord on how broadly the prohibition in 1 Tim 2:12 should be applied in your own life.
I don’t think this prohibits women pursuing writing ministries, and I think a woman should take every opportunity to share the Gospel with a man. I don’t think this prohibits music. Paul allows women to pray and prophesy in church in 1 Cor 11–as long as they do so in a feminine way (this is what I understand to be the point of the head covering).
I don’t think it would be appropriate for a woman to become the regular Bible teacher of a group that included men.
I think women can share testimonies to groups that include men, and I think maybe a woman with expertise in world missions (or a similar subject) could speak on the topic to a group that included men.
But I think a line is crossed when a woman becomes an established, regular teacher of mixed groups.
I don’t think you were wrong to comment in the class you mention.
I hope this helps, and I pray God’s best for you in Christ Jesus,
Jim
———
Natalie,
I would encourage you to consider the arguments for Pauline authorship of 1 Timothy in William D. Mounce’s commentary on the Pastoral Epistles in the Word Biblical Commentary Series.
I think it highly unlikely that some Christian would falsely attribute a document he had written to Paul (this is called “lying,” and the Bible roundly condemns it). Even more unlikely is the possibility that such a “pseudonymous” writing would fool the whole church for 1800 years, only to be “discovered” by some scholars in Germany . . . .
I would also encourage you to consider the treatments at http://www.cbmw.org. And, for a wholistic presentation of Paul’s theology that shows that what Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:12 fits with everything else he says, please see Thomas R. Schreiner’s book, Paul, Apostle of God’s Glory in Christ.
Blessings!
JMH
@jimmy stanfield: “no one thought to question or deny it until after the feminist movement of the 1960’s.”
This has been questioned all through history by quite a few people, or in fact not even interpreted the way you interpret it. Finnish women have been members of Parliament as early as 1911, long before the 60’s. The pagans had been driven out by the monks decades prior, I promise you–these were very faithful, churchgoing people who read the Bible daily and considered every action in the light of God’s word. Why did they not see a conflict here?
I’d still like a clear example of how you, in an ideal world, see this interpretation working in a practical daily context on a grand scale in a way that does not injure half the population and turn them into second-class citizens. I think the Taliban example is fitting in that it shows exactly what would happen if your interpretation was implemented to its full extent. Is that what you’re ultimately going for?
I think what is most modern here is this odd new American version of Christianity.
Veltis,
I’m not sure what you believe, but the aims of Christians are not like the aims of Muslim groups such as the Taliban.
Muslim groups like the Taliban send terrorists to kill unsuspecting people. The Quran does say that if infidels will not convert, they should be killed.
There is nothing parallel to this in the Bible. The Bible says that God will judge. We seek to persuade people to believe, and we warn them that God will judge them if they reject Jesus, but the Bible does not call Christians to kill people. (In the Old Testament, Israel went to war as a nation, but Christianity is not a nation. The instructions for warfare in the OT were for the nation of Israel to follow. No Christian should think that those instructions are for the church. Christianity is international. We conquer through preaching the truth about Jesus, loving people, and, if necessary, martyrdom.
Christians send missionaries to tell Muslims about the love of God and the forgiveness he offers through the death and resurrection of Jesus. These missionaries don’t intend to kill anyone, and they’re ready to be killed for having the audacity to tell people that God loves and will forgive them if they will trust Jesus.
Christianity does not put women, or anyone else, down. It is not an oppressive religion. Christianity does proclaim that God is God, and humans who want to be god might be offended by this and think that they are being “oppressed.” The reality, however, is simply that Christianity puts all people and things in their proper place. God is God, we are not.
Christianity denounces all abuse of women.
Christianity also contends that God created men and women, so he has the right to tell men and women what they can and cannot do. If God says women should not do something because they are women, it is our responsibility as Christians to obey God. By not allowing women to do what God has said that women should not do, we are not oppressing women, we are simply treating them as women. We are obeying God.
If a woman is not a Christian, I am not going to talk to her about what the Bible says about women. I am going to tell her that Jesus died for her sins and that if she will believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised her from the dead, God will forgive her and she can be saved from the wrath of God. If she becomes a Christian, she’ll gladly submit to the Bible for herself (if she’s truly a believer).
For the kind of example that you ask for, I would encourage you to look at this review of a recent book called Soft Patriarchy. Or, you might go to a conservative church in your city that believes the Bible and look around. I hope you’ll find there at least a few couples that live this out. If the Bible has been taught, you’ll find them. If the Bible has not been taught, you might not. . .
Hope this helps!
JMH
Why don’t men always pray with their hands lifted up?
The point is not heart posture not so much physical posture. Paul wants them not angry and quarreling, he wants their hands holy and their hearts praying. The same is true of the expensive clothing. The point is that women are to be characterized by good deeds rather than expensive attire. The point is not that women are never to wear gold or pearls or braid their hair.
Veltis. I clearly meant and said that there was no movement within the church towards worldy egalitarianism until the 60’s. Women in the Finnish parlaiment? Hahaha1 Come on girl, what does that have to do with the price of tea in China? I’ll tell you what-if I’m not correct then name me ten female pastors in the history of Christianity. Come on, just ten in the last two millenia! You can’t obviously and that proves my point. Apparently God didn’t call any women to go into go into the ministry until the women’s liberation movement and now all of a sudden, following the world’s lead-he’s changed his mind.
I think veltis missed the point of the bit of humor regarding driving. Comments about the Taliban are absurd, I am afraid. At any rate, as Jesus’ disciples we can either believe His word in the Scriptures or decide that we know better. Certainly there may be complementarians who have preexisting attitudes about women. However, there is no need to impose one’s views on the Bible to see that it teaches the complementarian perspective. On the other hand I do not think one can come to an egalitarian point of view WITHOUT having an overriding pre-commitment that colors the interpretation of Biblical passages. It is true there are many passages that enter into the mix. Paul wrote of “neither male nor female” with a specific application in mind, and in the context it had nothing to do with functional roles. However, might we not infer these from Paul’s words? Well, where do we look for Paul’s own (and the Holy Spirit’s own understanding of the implication of these words? Elsewhere in the Scriptures, of course. And it is clear from every other relavant passage that the egalitarian take on “neither male nor female” is foreign to Paul and to the Bible. Please, don’t confuse what the Bible DOES say with oppressive regimes like the Taliban (please eschew the absurd histrionics!). It is not domination by males, it is not ancient versus modern, it is not past versus present educational levels. I’m sorry but this is all drivel. The text is really extaordinarily clear. I suggest taking it or leaving it without the Chubby Checker exegesis (doing the twist).
Unless you guys speak fluent Greek of 2,000 years ago and have the original text, you are just reading teacups. If you DO qualify as aforementioned, you are STILL missing all the points.
Rather than pretend that some dead dude knew the whole deal, SCIENCE questions EVERYTHING and does it each generation, continually (except in the case of a few certain, fully-established principles such as the movement and nature of moons, planets, stars and galaxies).
Make up your OWN minds from what you observe NOW about the best role of men and ladies working together in human society. You dare not! Having bought into the idea of punishment if you get the deal wrong, you bow and scrape and grovel and suck-up to the imaginary guy in the sky via his self-styled and/or reputed intermediaries and only dead dude deals are worthy of consideration to you BECAUSE THEY ARE UNAVAILABLE FOR COMMENT.
If by a zillion to one chance, afterlife is a natural phenomenon and the dudes of dogma are floating around on the cosmic energy filed, you may be sure that they are thoroughly ashamed of themselves for having taught such tripe, and detest heartily the newly-dead dudes who grovel up asking for guidance. “Thin out you creeps. Go and ask your Mum or your Granny.” is the jist of their likely response.
cyquick.wordpress.com
PS. Moderator: please replace ‘filed’ with ‘field’. Of course, you may have already decided to delete my comment. Sure thing. Cy
PS. Blogger: please replace ‘filed’ with ‘field’ and then delete this PS. Of course, you may have already decided to delete my entire comment. Sure thing. Cy
Cy,
I pray that God will give you eyes to see the beauty of Jesus, and that you will understand that God is going to judge you.
I pray that you would flee to Jesus for mercy. You can be forgiven of your sins if you will trust him.
May the Lord bless you with faith in Jesus,
Jim
Nicely handled, Mr. Hamilton
well by faith i am a muslim but have a stong interest in christianity…………i have some christian friends i put the same question in front of them.there reply was like a boy not like a religious person many of them said yes there should be but then i asked some women they said they don’t want this.i asked them the reasons but they were reluctant to give any arguments for this. i don’t know the reasons but this was my survey……..well i think there should be because sometimes you felll it esay with a female then a male…………
Marv,
You wrote, “Paul wrote of “neither male nor female” with a specific application in mind, and in the context it had nothing to do with functional roles.”
I see this view brought up often when egalitarians bring up this passage. Usually it’s dismissed as invalid because it’s speaking about soteriological matter (eschatological salvation I guess). But knowing that Paul’s theology was always theology that worked itself out in the real world and in the present life of the believers then what does this passage look like worked out in real life? How could this passage be dealing strictly with just salvation if women, Greeks and slaves were able to receive God’s salvation before Christ? What did it mean in the churches life for there to be neither slave nor free, male or female, Jew or Greek? Do you think they were still advocating the current distinctions in the church? Do you think Greeks or Slaves weren’t allowed to do certain things because they were still Greeks and Slaves?
This passage isn’t at all irrelevant to this discussion but carries much weight, especially since it seems to be one of the earliest witnesses of Christianity and definitely earlier than 1 Tim. It seems like Complementarians too quickly dismiss this passage as not important to the discussion when it fact it may be even more important than the Timothy passage (especially considering how much of a situation specific letter 1 Tim is; which may explain best why Paul doesn’t want a woman teaching a man).
Just some thoughts.
Blessings,
Bryan L
I feel that men AND women should be able to worship and serve God equally. Serving God, to me, means not only going to church and praying and praising his Name, it also means teaching others-telling others of how great God is. A woman should be able to serve God that way too. God doesn’t forbid people from serving Him in any way that glorifies him. By not allowing that women to teach, that is like telling her she can’t serve him in that way. Since when is there only a certain, acceptable way for women to serve God? Are we to revert to the Puritanical or Pilgrim way? Or should we live like the Amish, all secluded from the rest of society and the rest of the world, for the most part.
Many confessions of faith say that the Bible is “the only rule of faith and practice.” That’s all I’m arguing for,
JMH
Natalie,
Jim suggested:
I would encourage you to consider the arguments for Pauline authorship of 1 Timothy in William D. Mounce’s commentary on the Pastoral Epistles in the Word Biblical Commentary Series.
I think it highly unlikely that some Christian would falsely attribute a document he had written to Paul (this is called “lying,” and the Bible roundly condemns it). Even more unlikely is the possibility that such a “pseudonymous” writing would fool the whole church for 1800 years, only to be “discovered” by some scholars in Germany . . . .
I would also encourage you to consider the treatments at http://www.cbmw.org. And, for a wholistic presentation of Paul’s theology that shows that what Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:12 fits with everything else he says, please see Thomas R. Schreiner’s book, Paul, Apostle of God’s Glory in Christ.
——
I readily admit your initial comments are not a direct ad hominem argument, but in your recent research on the topic of logical fallicies, you must have seen some similarities that cause me to consider it so. I found some research that may have been along the lines of what you are viewing at http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/Ad_hominem.
In chapter one of John’s Gospel, we see that Jesus is the Word who came to dwell among us. It is Jesus who writes via Paul in I Timothy. You raise a larger question to be debated that must be answered before engaging in the current topic of Dr. Hamilton’s blog entry. This larger debate being the canonicity of scripture, whether we believe God as the author of the Bible. Christians accept God’s Word as being divinely inspired. Ironically, we often refer to 2 Timothy 3:16 as one text supporting this. At the risk of offering a circular argument here is my case, Paul in I Timothy is speaking the Word of God, the Logos, which the Bible in John 1:1 says is Jesus. If I argue against His Word because I don’t believe in His diety, then perhaps I am engaging in an ad hominem argument – arguing against the source of the message instead of what the message really means. This is why Christianity requires faith.
David Wells
Although I don’t agree with it, I’ll have a look at this book if we have it at the library. Aside from the authenticity and authority of 1 Tim: my initial post asked why only reference to Tim. Any convincing arguement on the basis of Paul’s authority would have to deal with MORE THAN ONE Pauline writing, which I have repeatedly pointed out and asked WHY NOT?
Also, Mr Hamilton’s article doesn’t seem to consider the context of Paul’s arguements. I don’t agree with turning Paul into a contemporary feminist at all, as I have clearly outlined . However, if we are to justice to Paul, and understand where he is coming from, surely an understanding of the social circumstances he was referring to is needed. The thing is, Paul is not just presenting theological arguements in his writings, – he is often responding to problems in his churches as well. If 1 Tim. is such a response it would ridiculous to apply such notions to our situation: we are not in New Testament times, and are not under Roman rule. Just as we should not bring Paul into out social understanding and transform him into a feminist, it doesn’t seem right to bring him into out times and transform ourselves into a scarred, huddled group trying to maintain some formality and adhere to Roman laws. (Remembering that there were Roman laws contemporaneously that prohibited women speaking in public)
Also, what about re-interpretation of ‘the law’, which is something another commentor to this blog has brought up. Paul himself radically reinterpreted the law – he insisted that one must follow the law internally – not externally. To throw out (using the same example) such practices as stoning, and yet retain other socially grounded practices, such as the subordination of women, seems a little bit of a contradictory method.
Yet – I have outlined these previously, and it has seemingly been ignored. Am I to consider that these other texts are not important? Are they not the word of g-d? Although I obviously disagree with the interpretive outcome, I would actually be very interested to see how one would come to this outcome whilst dealing with other Pauline texts.
@Marv: It simply seems to me that you are doing exactly that: imposing your own personal views on the Bible, and acting as God’s sole representatives on Earth, which strikes me as a tad arrogant and somewhat blasphemous to boot. My brother is a priest, and also finds your interpretations convoluted. He’s pretty average as far as priests go around here. If there are such extreme disagreements concerning the interpretation of specific lines in Scripture among educated Christians, it strikes me that casually referring to Scripture as an obvious set of exact rules is foolish at best and incredibly damaging at worst. My comparisons to the Taliban concern only their tendency to take a Holy Book shared by others of their faith and decree themselves sole interpretors and executors of it, to disastrous effect. Their belief that God created woman as a kind of class II human also has echoes here.
Two interesting concepts to consider are laws and seclusion. Back in maybe the ’50s I think, all shops were closed on Sunday. Today, most shops and stores are still open on Sunday. And you’ll find many places open 24 hours. Back then, closing time was in the evening, around dinnertime. What do you make of that?
Some laws are guidelines while other laws endure. The one that comes to mind is, “thou shalt not kill.” That will always be a law to leave the same. That law did originate from the Bible. It’s a taboo, because it’s morally and basically wrong. But even with that, there is some flexibility. There are different degrees of guilt, first degree, second, etc and there’s mens rea-guity state of mind, what were the circumstances behind the killing, etc. In the judicial branch, judges when they preside over a case, judge on the merits of the case and also on the verdicts of past cases-precedents, and they can choose to interpret the case by what they think the verdicts signify or by how they interpret laws or amendments to mean. Laws are written in an ambiguous manner, as is the Bible. I don’t believe there is a single interpretation of the Bible, or a single meaning for a specific passage in the Bible either. It all depends on the person’s background, their upbringing, what they were taught to believe and what they think it means. What I’m saying is, the Bible is open to interpretation and should not always be applied to be one thing. Divorce wasn’t accepted for centuries. I think it was maybe in the 1920s when divorce became more accepted by the public.
Seclusion in the world has failed in the case of Brook Farm. If you keep letting people move in and out of that utopia, ideas are bound to come in. And ideas have changed our world. When you change the world, beliefs about everything changes. If you want to live strictly by the Bible, then everyone who owns a big house, many cars, a pool or some other luxury, should give it up. If we lived in the old mindset, there wouldn’t be inventions like computers, cellphones, or stereos. Doesn’t the Bible teach us to be content with what we have- a place to live, family, and things to eat? Think about it.
Jim, who is the author of Soft Patriarchy?
If you mean “Soft Patriarchs” it was written by W. Bradley Wilcox
REPLY FROM CY
Thanks for your well-meant, kind thoughts. But I went through it all as child, until I put away childish things. Yehoshua was a fine guru with the Sermon on the Mount and the Parables. I group him with Gautama and Mohandas Karamchand Ghandi. But he was hi-jacked by Meschiach-ist wildmen, equally as foolish as zealots in their way.
If this cosmos is insane, as you theists effectively state, and the Judgement Day arrives, I will be the guy amongst the goats slagging off the guy in the nightie for his pathetic performance with the thorns, thistles and roast lamb …but it aint gonna happen Jim bud. A dude who can make the atom does not piss about with sacrifice and timetables.
I am profoundly sorry for you in your ludicrous delusion. But I am even more sorry for the people who have the ability to think staright and ask questions and who get tortured by fundamentalist, extremist loonies (like you seem to be) as soon as they get power.
If afterlife there would be (and there aint gonna be) it would be natural, just like everything else in the cosmos. So if deity there would be (and there aint gonna be) it would institute such a protocol rather than fiddle around with minutea, and there would be no reason for theists to object to it.
You could tidy up your comments by fixing my typo above and deleting the second and third comments of mine as requested. Too busy, I guess; but not too busy to have at least responded. For that, due credit.
cyquick.wordpress.com
Natalie,
Thanks for your note. I attempt to deal with other texts in Paul and interpret them all in context in my essay, “What Women Can Do in Ministry: Full Participation within Biblical Boundaries.” (http://www.swbts.edu/faculty/jhamilton/documents/4-12-05.pdf)
I have linked to this essay elsewhere on my blog, but it’s hard to get all that info into a post–I doubt people would read it all!
I hope you will read my attempt to do exactly what you have called for.
Every blessing in Christ Jesus,
JMH
Natalie,
Under the tab “articles and essays” on my blog, you will find an article posted called “The Skull Crushing Seed of the Woman: Inner-Biblical Interpretation of Genesis 3:15.” In the introduction of that essay I briefly lay out my understanding of how the NT authors interpret the OT.
This is a massive issue that many books have been devoted to exploring. It’s awfully hard to compress these big things into blogs and responses to comments, so I’ll refer you to that essay.
Hope this helps!
JMH
Natalie,
Maybe you’ve already seen it, but in my latest post I link to a document that explores how Paul, I think, understood Genesis 1-3.
Blessings!
JMH
The authors of Soft Patriarchy are W. Bradford Wilcox and Brad Wilcox, and here’s the amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Soft-Patriarchs-New-Men-Christianity/dp/0226897095/sr=8-1/qid=1157643618/ref=sr_1_1/102-1735015-1171368?ie=UTF8&s=books,
JMH
Bryan L,
Please observe that in Gal 3:16 Paul says that the promise was to Abraham and his seed, and then Paul emphasizes that the seed is singular. Then in Gal 3:26-28, Paul says that through faith all Christians are one in Messiah Jesus, and since they are united to Christ by faith, they are heirs of the promise to the singular seed of Abraham. This has to inform our understanding of “neither male nor female” etc. Paul is not abolishing ethnic identity (he will later write in Romans that the “natural branches”–Jews–will be saved when the Redeemer comes from Zion (Rom 11:25-27). Nor is Paul abolishing gender roles, as seen in his later utterances on this topic in 1 Cor 11, 14, Eph 5, Col 3, and 1 Tim 2.
Hope this helps!
JMH
Jim,
But what does it mean then for there to be no more of those distinctions in the church?
Is this just limited to slavation or does it extend to other areas of life too?Why would he mention male and female? Why would he mention slave or free? The topic was about Jews and Gentiles why the need for the extra pair. Why even pair the things he did in the first place?
Do you think this would have meant much to the Galaitians if nothing changed because of Christ except that they could all be saved (although I’m not sure that wasn’t possible in Judaism before Christ) Do you think slaves would have cared much about this? Do you think women would have cared much about this?
Why does he say male and female not man and woman (which could have meant husband and wife).
In an empire that tmade distinctions between these things so that women and slaves had less (or no) rights than free men what did this mean for these people when they became one in Christ and worshipped together in the church?
What does it mean to be heirs to the promise of this singular seed and why should they care?
Blessings,
Bryan
Bryan,
I suggest you pose all these questions of Paul himself, and then look for his answer as you read and re-read the whole epistle of Galatians over and over again with these questions in mind.
I think that Paul is affirming human equality in the image of God, but I don’t think he’s suggesting that this nullifies the roles that humans find themselves given.
So, for instance, elsewhere he tells slaves that they should obey their masters. But here he says there is neither slave nor free. I think this means that before God slaves are just as human and just as justified through union with Christ by faith as the free people are. But I don’t think Paul would say to these slaves in Galatia that they shouldn’t continue in the state in which they were called. He says in 1 Cor 7:21 that they should take their freedom if they can get it, but if they can’t get their freedom they’re to obey their masters.
I think the same goes for one’s race, except that race is not something we can shed if we have the opportunity. Jews and Gentiles are justified and stand on equal footing through union with Christ, but this doesn’t mean that their race is irrelevant. God is going to be glorified by racial diversity when all nations gather around the throne.
Similarly, women and men stand on equal footing through union with Christ by faith, but this doesn’t mean that they are now free to cast off the God-given gender they have been given. Nor does it mean that they can cast off the roles that God has assigned to the genders. God means to be glorified by gender diversity, and by humans who gladly accept the gender roles he assigned to them.
Hope this helps!
JMH
I thought there was supposed to be no gender in the afterlife.
I don’t see any evidence for that conclusion.
So you’re saying that Paul was just comforting these people and basically saying that even though society places these distinction on you (including the church) God still loves you and thinks you’re swell?
You said, “But I don’t think Paul would say to these slaves in Galatia that they shouldn’t continue in the state in which they were called.” I don’t think they had the choice unless they were looking to be killed and Paul was trying to get Christianity to be branded the wrong kind of rebel movement. Even if he didn’t expect the roles to change in society do you think he expected the slave master relationship to be different in the church and if so how? The same question with the other things. Do you think Paul expected the Jews and us to continue having the same relationship and distance that we had before Christ, because after all we can’t throw off our ethnicity?
As far as I can tell, in your view, when Paul said there is no longer these distinctions, it didn’t really make a difference in the church to these people but was just comfort to them to let them know one day things would be different.
I agree with Fee when he emphasizes the need for the people of God to start living and modeling the resurrection life now in the assembly of believers as much as we can so that we can show the world a different and better way.
Blessings,
Bryan L
I’m glad that you find Fee convincing.
May you have peace and rest in your soul,
JMH
um… ok. I guees I’m glad you find Schreiner convincing.
Thanks for the conversation.
Blessing,
Bryan
Bryan,
As I think on your comments, you seem to be suggesting that Paul is saying something more “relevant”, something that would make more of a difference in people’s lives, than the mere declaration that before God they are counted righteous through union with Christ by faith. You seem to suggest that perhaps if they were no longer encumbered by the roles assigned to humans in this world, that would be more significant than the fact that by faith in Christ they are heirs of the promise to Abraham and thereby inheritors of the age to come.
May I commend to you the four volume series by David Wells: No Place for Truth, God in the Wasteland, Losing our Virtue, and Above All Earthly Pow’rs?
One of the big points Wells makes in these books is that God rests lightly on the American evangelical church. In this situation, the big truths of the faith, like justification, have no cash value. They are deemed irrelevant, when nothing could be more relevant.
Yes, Paul was comforting those Galatians. Just as John was comforting the 7 churches, and thereby the whole church, in the Apocalypse, Revelation.
May the holiness and majesty of God be so real to us that we find nothing more relevant, nothing that matters more, nothing that makes more of a difference than the declaration that by faith in Christ we are united to him, possessing his righteousness because he took our sin, justified before God such that though we possess nothing we have all things, though we are beaten down we are not destroyed, though we suffer affliction we are always rejoicing.
What shall we say in response to these things. . .
JMH
Jim,
I’m sorry if I gave the impression that the Galatians being “counted righteous through union with Christ by faith” wasn’t that important and they needed something more relevant. I believe it is. My point was more that being “counted righteous through union with Christ by faith” held implications and relevance for their present life, especially in the assembly of believers, beyond (but definitely including) comfort for the future.
My main point over and over is what did something like this mean for the believers when they came together. If the church was to hopefully model resurrection life (as much as possible), then how did they do that and how does this passage guide us?
If you have a chance please answer some of the questions that I asked in my last lengthy post. I’d really like to hear your thoughts on some of them.
BTW what is it about Well’s books that would be relevant to this conversation so that I should read them? Before I go out and buy 4 books (unless you want to send them to me) I’d like to know a little about the content and why I should read them.
Also I keep mentioning Fee (as you’ve noticed). Have you ever read anything from him besides his articles in DBE? If not I suggest you check out his book Paul the Spirit and the People of God, or his larger book on the same topic God’s Empowering Presence.
Thanks again Jim.
Blessing,
Bryan L
Cy,
My heart breaks for you…
I often respond in this manner to those who don’t believe…
Jesus Christ has given me peace on earth unlike any other. I fully expect to one day spend the rest of eternity with Him in heaven. If I’m wrong about heaven, and we truly are just cosmic beings in the universe, as you suggest…oh well! I guess I’ve been duped If you’re wrong, and the Word of God is true, not only will you have missed out on the peace of Jesus here, you will burn forever, eternal torture, in hell.
It only takes the faith of a mustard seed!
May God bless you!
Here’s my 2 cents:
This looks alot like the Pharisees debating over the laws and what scripture says and they miss the whole point. I think Jesus would be (and will be) outraged at the way some believers THINK that somehow women lack spiritual maturity, wisdom and intelligence to serve the Lord in roles of teaching and leadership. Can you imagine a woman being accused and thrown at the feet of Jesus for teaching others about God’s love and salvation through Jesus. I can not see Jesus condemning her for this “sin.” I can however, see judgement on those who prevented women from serving as they were called to do. God is all powerful and capable of any miracle….but never making a woman fit to be a pastor, teacher of adult men or elder. Hmmmm. Kind of limits God’s power.
Bryan,
Dr. Hamilton’s PhD dissertation was on the Holy Spirit and much of his published work is on the Spirit as well including several articles and a book. He is probably quite familiar with Fee’s work on the Spirit.
Dr. Hamilton,
I greatly appreciate your patience and the graciousness with which you answer questions. Some of the comments of people to your post have been very harsh and you have dealt with them well. All too often I come across examples where intellect and graciousness are inversely related. Thanks for being a good example.
I have also greatly appreciated your articles on the Holy Spirit and your recent article in Southern’s journal. I look forward to reading your book sometime.
Keith,
Hearty thanks for your kind words!
Jim
Keith,
As it is I don’t have a copy of his dissertation (but I’d like one if you don’t mind sending it to me) so I don’t know what he’s read, that’s why I was asking him the question, which he never responded to (and I’m still wondering. If you have read them, did you like them?).
We have to be careful that we don’t hear every comment that people make that disagrees with Hamilton as hostile and angry and every comment that Hamilton responds with as peaceful and sweet (and vice versa depending on what side of this issue you fall on). We don’t know the attitudes and tones of people when they write on these things and things can easily be misunderstood.
I agree that Jim has handled these issues with patience and graciousness and has been very kind even to those who weren’t that kind to him and I enjoyed the conversation while it lasted.
Blessing,
Bryan L
Women are only interested in futhering their importance under the feminist male-hating guise that women are realy the surpreme sex and anyone else is really just third rate as far as they are concerned.
Most churches have already sold their soul to the devil by allowing female ministers to administer to males, this is an abomination according to the bible.
But women just do not care about the teachings of the bible. They want to write their own version and then demand everyone on the planet cow-tow to them while they administer their blasphemy.
Then they wonder what the problem is..
They do have a major problem with cause and affect, it is something that escapes them completely.
Christianj,
I don’t agree with your assessment, which strikes me as a bit harsh.
I think that we all make mistakes, and I think we’re all wrong at some points in our thinking. So I think it’s possible for someone to be well meaning, but nevertheless wrong, on this issue.
Hope this helps,
JMH
Christianj,
How can women be “furthering their importance” when this is a male-dominated society? Ever heard of male chauvinism or machismo?
Anyone can make up a meaning of the teachings, not only females.
I don’t know why it has taken me so long to explore this argument. I guess it just never bothered me that women weren’t allowed to teach men in my church–that is until I worked in a church office. I heard a lot of women bashing statements that my pastors honestly believed were perfectly backed up by the Bible. It was appauling and gave me pause. The only place that a woman teaching men is specifically denied in Scripture is Paul’s letter to Timothy. I’ve since paid more attention to the text in this letter and the one thing I keep coming back to is the word “I”. Paul is speaking in the first person and does not say “God does not permit”, instead he say “I don’t permit”. I feel this rule in its context is a cultural statement of the times, which became a church tradition because of Paul. I choose to follow Jesus’ example of His interaction with the women which showed they had value beyond their cultural limit in a time when women were not taught. Jesus’ Great Commission is for all Christians–men and women–and if we limit ourselves based on sex then we hinder the spread of the Gospel and the raising to maturity of our young men and women. I think this widespread church “rule” for women should be shelved beside the the ones for wearing a veil, not allowing men to sit where a woman having her period has sat, etc. They are outdated ideas that reak of legalism. I do however still believe that only men should be pastors and elders. Christ was a man and therefore men alone are given that blessing, just as women alone are given the blessing of being able to give birth.
KW,
Just a couple thoughts here:
By saying that this “rule” “reaks of legalism” you are implying that the one who stated the rule is at least inclined toward legalism–that would be the Apostle Paul. I’m not going to follow you on that one.
Also, Paul’s appeal to the pre-fall created order makes his statement in 1 Tim 2:12 trans-cultural.
Finally, saying that women should not teach or exercise authority over men does not mean that they should not evangelize men whenever they get the opportunity to share the gospel.
Blessings!
JMH
The teaching of the Bible from my understanding is that in the church setting women are not to “speak” in a gift of prophecy, tongues, or teaching, as in the context of the verse of the Bible. They are not to exercise that gift of “speaking” when the church comes together and are to learn in silence, but my question is what to do if your husband is not in church? How do you learn if he is not in church or saved? Judy
Judy,
I suppose you would learn the same way a single woman would learn. Through attention to the instruction given at church and study of the Scriptures.
See also 1 Pet 3:1-6. . .
Blessings,
JMH
I suppose? What kind of answer is that? All wives in the church have the ear of their husbands, but single women/widows have no voice whatsoever. I was amazed at how I was suddenly out of the loop at church after my husband passed. The wives regard you with suspicion and their husbands fear speaking to you. Suddenly you are in the outer court of the temple. Paul addresses this how?
Why is my comment gone? Hummmm…….Just asking……..
Jim, I noticed my email reply to you did not make it to your blog, so I am resubmitting it.
Just to clarify, when I said it “reaks of legalism” I wasn’t referring to what Paul wrote. I was referring to present day interpretation of the intent of his writing. While the Bible’s truths are timeless, it was written in a different era and culture and is therefore rich with historic and cultural significance. I’m sure you’ll agree that over the centuries cultures have been greatly influenced by the writings of the Bible and not only spiritually. For example, I remember as a child wearing a hat or scarf to church, while my father removed his hat on the way in the door. Where did this custom begin? With the Bible, of course. 🙂
In cross-referencing the passage in 2 Timothy, other passages refer to women being submissive and remaining silent in church. I again submit to you that these statements are indications of the culture at the time and Paul’s statement in the first person (“I” do not allow” in 2 Tim. 2:12) backs this up as does the fact that the cross-references in the N.T., 1 Cor. 14:34 & Titus 2:5, as well as 2 Tim., are all written by Paul. None of the other writings in the N.T. have such strong reproach as to what women should or should not be doing as do Paul’s writings. Clearly Paul was dealing with some particular issues in the churches he was ministering to through his writings.
With regards to the fall… Eve received her punishment (and for all of womenkind) from God in Genesis. His pronouncement was clearly stated that she would endure much pain in childbirth and yet would be submissive to her husband. There is nothing in that passage to indicate women are to be forever submissive to men in general or that we would be unable to enjoy the same rebirth in Christ as men. For in Christ, “there is neither Jew nor Greek…there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 4:28) and this is backed up by Jesus’ own words in John 17:11, which gives it much more weight than Paul’s often misinterpreted statements about women. We are ALL offspring of Abraham and therefore heirs according to promise. Free from the Law! If men are free from the Law and therefore (for example) are free from the rite of circumcision, then modern man has no right or cause to try to enslave women to a made up law that was never pronounced by God at the fall.
I maintain my stance on the understanding of the statement “women may not teach men”. Paul’s intent was to stop a tide of busybody women, who were ignorant and untrained as were most women of that time as they were unschooled. Thankfully, Jesus Himself changed the notion that women could not be taught. But of course, in the churches of that day women were not able to teach both because of the culture and they simply were untrained.
Christian teaching of Scripture should be done by men AND women who are mature Christians, well versed in the Bible, and led by the Holy Spirit to teach. Then they should teach to whomever is seeking knowledge of Scripture without regard to the gender of teacher/student. For we are ALL one in Christ Jesus!
God is not one to change his mind, who can surprise God? He knows the past, present, and future…He will not apologize to all those who are inconvenienced by His word. The word is written straight forward…and confusion comes when you add or take away from
the word to satisfy personal desires or to exercise your own misunderstanding. Is God the author of confusion? Of course not! Study, believe, and keep the faith!
There are many places in the Bible where God changed his mind (Abraham/Lot, Hezekiah). You are under the same error as the Jews of Jesus day and the Judaizers of Paul’s day. They were mislead by the fallacy that whatever is appointed by God can never become obsolete. Therefore, they chose dead formalism over a living faith. The pathetic teaching of some male elders and pastors is definitely dead formalism.
Hello All,
This is a subject dear to my heart because I am a woman, I am gifted in teaching and my only desire is to please our Lord and use this gifting only as He wishes me to use it. I am currently learning in Bible School how to interpret the scriptures using classic literal grammatical historical interpretation principles. It is a wonderful thing to learn how to divide God’s word objectively and honestly. It takes great humility and courage to apply it to one’s life.
I have recently received a challenge to perform a literal grammatical interpretation on the subject of women in ministry. I truly am open to the truth either way because there are so many confused and hurting women and children and youth out there to teach that it keep me plenty busy, even if I don’t teach men.
What is undeniable in my life is that God is bringing to me hurting women and youth without a good male figure in their lives. He is also bringing me young married career women (because I am an older career woman) with strong personalities to mentor. God has led me to be involved with women inmates. It’s heart-breaking.
A common theme in all these lives is the damage and trouble that is brought on by their ignorance of roles, authorities, boundaries, and domains. The Lord leads me to gently teach and encourage them to embrace biblical truths about these matter that agree with the things Jim Hamilton has been saying here. And the results are simply amazing. The ladies feel “liberated” to know what responsibilities are truly theirs and which are not. The ladies I minister to are very active and take on way to much responsibility- and their men reluctantly let them. When they unburden themselves of what the bible says the men are responsible for- what joy and peace fills their hearts. They become so much more effective in living and men are no longer seen as threats or opponents. They are co-heirs working together within their God-assigned roles and domains. It is beautiful to see. Neither feels deprived or cheated. Only fulfilled.
All this to say that the traditional biblical views are powerfully unburdening women of burdens that I don;’t think they were meant to carry. This is my experience in personal ministry. The “male nor female” concept just doesn’t seem to work in the practical realities of life. It actually brings problems and confusion into the relationships of life.
It will be interesting to test what I am teaching with a fresh grammatical study of God’s word. I have been a Christian for 25 years and have read the bible deeply for all that time. I have not been aware of all this controversy until just recently since my new church allows women to teach men. It surprised, grieved and concerned me because of my fear that men’s identity and leadership is being hurt by it. And if they get hurt, women get hurt with lack of spiritual protection. Women’s identities change too. I observe that they become more masculine and aggressive. It is an unseemly thing to see. They talk less about their children, and cool in their affections toward their husbands. The very two things women are to excel in start diminishing (Titus 2:4,5).
I sense that women have a big test in life concerning humility. We need to make sure that we do not refuse roles that are God-ordained to mature us. We can all agree that we are all destined to be servants of God forever. But will we pass the test on this Earth to be servants to each other now? If we are more eager to rule in this life instead of to serve and support, will we be given good privileges to rule with Christ in the afterlife?
To end, Isaiah 3:12 brings a chill down my spiritual spine. If you read the context, especially verses 6 and 7, it is clear that women and youths became rulers in Israel in a time of moral decline and when men themselves refused to rule. Women filled the empty slots. But it was not commended as a good thing by Isaiah or God. It was one of the many signs of a godless society that has lost its way. I have never heard anyone bring this scripture up in a sermon, study, or lesson. Thought I’d throw it in the mix for those who previously brought up so confidently that it was unthinkable to think that women in ruling positions in society could actually be a bad thing. God speaking through Isaiah seemed to think so. Am I interpreting this passage incorrectly?
Blessings on you all! I’ll keep you posted on my studies.
Didn’t we move from the “confines” of the OT to liberty in the New? If so, why did we have Miriam as a prophetess and a leader with Moses and Aaron; A king found it necessary to consult Huldah, a prophetess, and then you have Deborah, who was not only a prophetess, but a Judge of the Jewish Law.
In the NT you have women receiving the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues at Pentecost, Philip’s 4 daughters, plus many women who assisted Paul. Women were the first ones Jesus told to “go tell”. You cannot isolate the restrictive texts from the context of the rest of the NT. “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…Your sons and daughters will prophecy”.
Funny, nobody seemed to mention what if the woman isn’t married? Where is it written that a woman is to submit to any other than her husband (whether she’s married or not? What about the historical cultural context of the passage? Have any of you looked researched this? Have you considered these women were uneducated, and trying to teach what they had no knowledge of. I know many spiritually gifted women that would be better suited for the pulpit than many pastors. Would you say that Benny Hinn teaches “with authority” because he’s male?
Also, in regards to the “coverings” Paul said they nor the churches of God had any such tradition.
This passage, I will say it is written by Paul, clearly says what Paul allows, not what the Lord deams appropriate. I believe that Paul, living in the time and place he lived made that rule for HIMSELF (let’s not forget he was a Pharasee) because that is what was acceptable at the time when Messianic Jews left their group (not their faith, but their temple) and joined with Gentiles. There was a host of issues with the new church and the appostles were attempting to sort it all out. As I said, though, Paul is clear that that is his rule and he did not follow that rule very well. Pricilla was the main teacher of Apollo, Paul frequently used women and had them in high positions in the church, even deconesses. We also know that God does not follow Paul’s rule or even agree with it. The first believer was a woman and she was instrumental in converting (teaching) many people, not just women. Anna prophesied in the temple in front of many people at the birth of Christ. Deborah was a judge and men went to her for instruction.
From my own experience, my pastor, a woman, is the best teacher I have had (my husband agrees and in our home he is the head of the house and he decides where we attend church). She preaches strictly from the word. I have had many male pastors and even a couple of priests and they all had issues with leaving their personal feelings out of the Bible. God would not have given myself the gifts He bestowed on me if I were to remain silent and not teach people.
I am sorry so many of you choose to keep 50% of the population from being able to exercize their spiritual gifts. I agree with Aaron’s assessment. We are no longer under the law, the law became death and bondage when it was supposed to bring freedom. Christ saved us from that bondage and death. I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me, I will not deny the urgings of Christ and His mission for me because some people seem to think I am not included in that and because some men think they can learn nothing from God working through me. If it is Christ who lives in me and I no longer live then I truely am under a new covenant and if I subject myself to the law then I am making Christ’s sacrifice for me invalid. “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians, also written by Paul by God-breathed urgings.
Mrs. Amber
It’s simple people. Women can teach in schools at business seminars, university lectures ect, ect. But in the Church God has established that men are to teach his word. As Christian women, we can teach children, teens, and younger women in the church (this is enough to keep us busy and using our teaching abilities to glorify God without disobeying His Word through the apostle Paul). In evangelism outside the church we can teach unbelieving men about the Good News of Jesus Christ, as Eudia and Syntyche did in Phillipians 4. So there is plenty to do without getting up in the pulpit. I’d say our motives are definitely wrong if the only place we can think of to serve God is in the pulpit teaching men. Here’s something else you won’t like-Christian women should be practicing head covering in church. Forget about women’s lib or what others have told you or even what you think. Read 1 Corinthians chapter 11. Let’s stop being culturally and politically correct and just obey the Bible as it is written in the NT. It takes so much explaining just to do away with obvious instructions in Scripture. Wouldn’t it just be easier, and of course pleasing to Yeshua if we just obey?
Shalom
oh and by the way I am a women who is madly and passionately in love with my Lord and Savior Jesus (Yeshua) Christ.
Reading this article, and the comments that follow it, are deeply saddening. While anyone who argues against the interpretation of 1 Tim 2:12 given in the article can be labelled as people who “reject the truth of scripture” I believe those who adhere and agree with the interpretation given in this article are in fact the ones rejecting the truth of scripture – and in fact at basing their interpretation of the narrow and un-Christian cultural condition sown and nurtured by Aristotle, Plato, Socrates and many other ancient Greek and Roman (and Jewish) philosophers, who taught that women were a curse against men, a possession or property of men, formed from a separate and worthless material from that of which men were formed and on a par with beasts of burden.
While you might think any pro-women interpretation of 1 Tim 2:10 is only a modern, post-feminine 20th/21st century reaction to timeless truth, I believe the interpretation of the text when studied in the ancient languages they were written in, in light of the rest of scripture, shows Paul’s teaching not only to have been radically different from the culture in which he was writing, but is radically different from the interpretation presented in this article.
Now if you believe that 1 Tim 2:12 prohibits men from sitting under the authority of a woman, then you have to come up with a whole range of unwieldy and un-Biblical standards and exemptions to allow female school teachers & lecturers, Sunday School teachers, mothers, bosses, politicians and rulers, for the text makes no mention of this ‘prohibition’ being church, age, context or relationship specific.
As some people have mentioned above, there is a whole host of other scriptures that should enlighten our understanding of the interpretation of 1 Tim 2:12, including the equality and partnership between men and women in God’s original design (Genesis 2:18 & 24); the prophesies of Joel 2:28 “…I will pour out my Spirit on ALL people. Your sons and DAUGHTERS will prophesy… Even on my servants, BOTH men and WOMEN, I will pour out my Spirit in those days” as quoted by Peter at Pentecost; and of King David “The WOMEN who proclaim the good tidings are a great host” (Psalm 68:11b); Jesus’ attitude to women (e.g. the Samaritan woman, the Syrio-Phoenician women, Mary Magdalene, et al); prophetesses, female teachers and witnesses in both testaments (e.g. Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Anna, Isaiah’s wife, Phillips daughters, Priscilla, Phoebe, Chloe, Stephana, Mary, Martha, the Samaritan woman, Joanna, Salome etc); and finally, the teachings of Paul from the rest of 1 Timothy and his other letters.
These are by no means an answer in their own right, but should be the lens through which we read 1 Tim 2:12, rather than the lens of 2000 years of male-dominated church and 3500 years of male dominated culture!
I will take two quick examples. When I read “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” in Galatians 3:28 and “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, she must be silent” there appears to be a contradiction for which there are only 2 possible explanations. 1) God’s Word is in error, or 2) my understanding is in error. I do not believe God’s Word is erroneous, therefore my understanding must be in error. This is broken down into two further possibilities 1) I have misunderstood the equality and attitude of God in Galatians 3, or 2) I have misunderstood the message of 1 Timothy. Given all I know and love of God from the rest of scripture, I know God is not biased, that women are not inferior to men and that we are all united as one in Christ, then I know that it is my understanding of 1 Timothy that is in error, for I cannot reconcile the loving, inclusive God of the rest of scripture whom I know, with a God who would knowingly bias against half of his children based only on their gender, nor a God who would actively seek to cut his warrior fishers-of-men workforce in half.
Secondly, unless you are extremely skilled in ancient Greek, I would advise not to holding too tightly to any interpretations that rely on only modern language translations of the Bible without exploring the underlying original language text. For example, in 1 Tim 2 Paul uses a literary device called a ‘chaism’, where ideas are expressed in an ABA, or ABCDCBA etc pattern, either to back up the point made at the middle of the chiasm, or to differentiate or contrast the point at the middle of the chiasm. In 1 Tim 9-15, Paul follows the ABA pattern, talking of women, a woman, and women again. The switch to singular is very important as it defines which bits of the teaching are generally applicable to women as a whole, and which are applicable to a specific instance, probably in response to a specific woman in the church at Ephesus which Timothy was leading. If Paul wanted to make the prohibition general, there would be no need to switch from ‘women’ to ‘a woman’
More importantly, the extrapolation of the argument given in the article, that “Paul shows that verse 15 applies to women in general when he switches from the singular “she” (referring back to Eve in verse 14) at the beginning of the verse to the plural “they” in the middle of the verse. What is true of Eve is true of all women” is incorrect. Not because what Paul says in verse 14 doesn’t apply to all women, but because the author misses the point when he used the word childbirth as a verb. It isn’t. In all the Greek manuscript originals, the word is a noun, meaning it should be translated as “But she (still referring to Eve) will be saved through THE childbearing” making it a reference to a singular event. Do we know what this singular event was? The references to Eve in the preceding verses are a good indication that this refers to the childbearing of Eve’s offspring, of one who would crush the Serpent’s head, Christ. In this light, the application in verse 15b is that, likewise, all women will be saved through Jesus Christ, not through any work, and removing the need for such longwinded, vacuous, confusing and pointless explanations as given in the article – but does not in any way lend itself to the application of the prohibition on ‘a woman’ being advanced upon all women. It’s just not a viable interpretation of the Greek text.
There are many more examples of scriptures that back up Paul’s calling and affirmation of women as leaders, deacons, teachers, prophets etc and there is a huge amount of good literature which goes into far more detail about the cultural background to Paul’s writings, the huge revolutionary attitude that both Paul and Jesus had towards women as they sought to teach the original divine plan for male-female unity in the world, the detailed grammatical structure of the New Testament that allows us to grasp more fully the truths of scripture that Paul and others wrote, which are lost when we read English translations (which often suffer sub-conscious (I hope) bias of the usually male translators*), all of which are of vital importance to anyone seeking to form opinions on issues of Christian morality, particularly this issue, where sadly, many men and women take such a wrong interpretation of scripture(s) and use it to crush the God-given mission and gifting of many fearfully and wonderfully made daughters of the King of Heaven.
While I know many of you will be brimming with disgust and contempt with the words I have written, I urge you to re-examine your attitude to women teachers, to ask why you believe what you believe, and if it’s just because so-and-so told me based on just a handful of verses through out the New Testament, please, please do not simply finish reading this and dismiss it. Ask yourself if the God you know would really restrict and devalue half of His created offspring, and contradict His Word and character. If the answer is yes, the I don’t believe you know the God of the Bible and I pray that you do come to know him with an open heart and mind before you hurt forever, the spirit of one of His Holy Princesses and inhibit the spread of the Kingdom by her servanthood.
I end by quoting Frederik Fransen, writing 100 years ago:
”It is amazing how one can get such a false idea that not all God’s children should not use all their powers in all ways to save the lost world. There are, so to speak, many people in the water about to drown. A few men are trying to save them, and that is considered well and good. But look, over there a few women have untied a boat also to be of help in the rescue, and immediately a few men cry out: standing there idly looking on, and therefore having plenty of time to cry out: “No, no, women must not help, rather let the people drown.”
What if God calls a woman to be a preacher/pastor? I know of a wonderfully gifted woman of God who is pastor/co pastor of her church. (Kathy Campbell) God has given her the gift of prophecy and she has been to my church and my summer camp many times; she has a high calling on her life. I think it is ridiculous to say that women cannot preach and teach God’s word to others.
I’m not sure if I am a ‘feminist’ or not. I just disagree with most of you on this issue. I really don’t see what the problem is with women preaching. I’ve been reading many different articles and such on this ‘issue’ because I shall be writing about it for my Basic College Composition Class at EBI. And one interpretation of what Paul said in one of his books is that some unlearned women in the church would, being new Christians, be constantly whispering and asking their husbands what something meant that was being taught WHILE the preacher/teacher was speaking. So, Paul was saying that women should wait until AFTER church to ask their husbands about something that they did not understand.
Mr. Hamilton,
I must admit I am struggling with this topic and would like your input. I have read your post and the many comments and it is still unclear for me. I have been raised with strong Godly parents who were always active in church. I am grown – 39 years old and have watched my parents joyfully serve the Lord. My parents jointly taught the young married couples Sunday School class for the last several years. Three months ago my father passed away after 8 months in the hospital due to hospital negligence. It had been a true test of our faith. Within the next few weeks the church, without talking to my mother or the couple who had been filling in during my dad’s illness, offered the Sunday School class to another couple who had not expressed any interest in leaving the college class they were teaching and did it all under the teachings of 1 Timothy 2. I am having a hard time believing that the loving, gentle God I was raised to believe and have honored throughout my life would say that my mother, with all her wisdom, was not allowed to teach younger couples. My parents had a long and strong marriage and I cannot believe that this scripture teaches that her wisdom is useless since she does not have her husband teaching the class. If this is the case, why don’t we follow the rest of the chapter? Is it ok for me to wear my silver bracelet to church – it’s not gold? Or should I remove all forms of jewelry? Can I wear my wedding ring? What about the clothes I wear? What determines if it is expensive? I have some label/brands of clothes but I got them on sale so are they ok? I do not mean any disrespect but why interpret certain verses literally but be more relaxed on the other verses? Why is it ok for me as a 39 year old female to teach young males 20 to 25 years younger but not ok for my mother at age 68 to teach males 30 to 40 years younger? Mr. Hamilton, I would greatly appreciate your input on these questions.
Sincerely,
Sara
Sara,
Thanks for your note. I’m sorry to hear about your father’s passing, and I’m sorry if less sensitivity than was perhaps necessary has been shown toward your mother. As I see it, there are several issues in your email. Easiest ones, in my opinion, first.
On clothing and jewelry: If Paul’s point in 1 Tim 2:9 was “never, ever, wear these things,” then Peter’s point in 1 Pet 3:3 (“or the putting on of clothing”) is “never wear clothes.” Obviously that’s not Peter’s point. Similarly, Paul’s point is in 1 Tim 2:10–women are to adorn themselves “with what is proper for women who profess godliness–with good works.” So the idea is that women are to be known for their good deeds not their stylish, expensive clothing. Paul is no longer a Pharisee. He is not teaching like a Pharisee in 1 Tim 2:9. It would be possible to avoid wearing what he says not to wear and still be fixated on the external appearance. Paul doesn’t want that. He wants women to focus on their character and their treatment of others. We have to obey that, whatever we wear.
On teaching: I don’t know the situation in the church you’re describing. Has there been a change of leadership? Did a former pastor allow women to teach men and the new one doesn’t? Whatever the case, Paul says that women are not to teach men.
I would suggest that women are valuable in the church, and that Paul’s instructions for “older women to teach the younger” (Tit 2:3-5) doesn’t relegate women to “second string ministry.” My question for you is whether those who suggest that women must be allowed to teach men aren’t implicitly declaring that teaching women isn’t important enough? Which side is degrading women?
So regardless of how you or your mother have been treated, we’re under biblical authority. The questions for you and your mother, in my opinion, are these: can you embrace Paul’s instructions that women are not to teach men but can have valuable ministry in teaching other women, and can you embrace the leadership that God has placed over you in the church?
May the Lord bless you richly,
JMH
Mr. Hamilton,
I do not want to be antagonistic but it still seems that interpretations of the verses are not matching up. If one is to say that Paul’s words on women teaching means for women to teach only other women then that seems to contradict other words from Paul. What about Junia the apostle? What about Priscilla teaching? Paul also refers to women who prophesy and one can look at prophesy as proclaiming God’s message. There seems to be a relaxed interpretation of clothing and jewelry in comparing 1 Tim 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3. People seem to take the verses on women teaching and interpret them as the stand alone without referencing other words from Paul but when it comes to clothing and jewelry they don’t want those verses to be interpreted as they stand alone. If one is to reference other scripture for clothing and jewelry why not reference other verses for women teaching.
As for the situation at our church. The same pastor who my father prayed with weekly and encouraged daily is still the same pastor. The decision to remove my mother as the Sunday School teacher for the young married class was based solely on the notion that my father was no longer here to teach the class, therefore my mother could not teach the class as a woman. I certainly do not consider teaching of any age or gender to be “second string ministry” but to suggest that a woman who has served the Lord steadfastly for 60+ years is not adequate to help younger couples in their walk with the Lord is quite insulting. How can someone talk about the incredible strength and faith in the Lord during an unbelievably trying time turn around and say she is not equipped to teach any age or gender? Certainly there would be topics that men would want to discuss with only men or women with only women but that should not keep my mother from being able to help lead these young couples and share her wisdom with them. I guess I am not able to embrace the idea that Paul meant for his words to mean women should not teach men. I think some young men would miss out on some incredibly useful insights that only a woman can provide.
Sara,
I refer you to my essay, “What Women Can Do in Ministry,” which you can get to by clicking on the book cover Women, Ministry, and the Gospel on the right side of the page on my site.
The examples you cite regarding women in ministry in the NT do not establish that women taught men, and therefore they do not conflict with Paul’s instructions that women not teach men. Moreover, Paul bases his command on an argument from the created order. See further my essay.
I think your pastor did the right thing,
JMH
Mr. Hamilton,
I do wish you would address the referencing of different verses for one part of the text but not for the other but I understand you must have more important issues. The good news is that this does not determine our salvation and the question will be answered when we are in glory. I wish you well in your endeavors and pray for God’s grace for you.
Sincerely,
Sara
Thanks Sara,
I would contend that I have answered the issues you raise. You are just not content with the way that I understand the text.
I think that Paul’s issue in 1 Tim 2:9-10 is that women be more focused on good works than on good looks. I don’t want that neglected, and I don’t want the verses that follow neglected either.
Blessings!
JMH
Mr. Hamilton,
What I don’t understand is why the verses pertaining to jewelry, clothing, and head covereing can be interperted so loosly and can be supported by other verses but there is this very rigid and literal intepretation of the verses pertaining to teaching. I contend that a man telling a woman it is OK to wear jewels or uncover her head does not cause any complications for men but to tell a woman it is OK to teach other men does cause complications for men so that receives a much more rigid interpretation. Both sides of the “camps” can defend their interpretations which causes me to take it one step further to exactly how Jesus treated others while here on earth and how God’s word instructs us to treat others and it always points back to compassion and grace. I am afraid that your more rigid interpretation lacks compassion and grace. Again I feel that we will both know how God would want it when we both find our home in glory. Regardless of the interpretations of these verses, my relationship with a merciful and gracious God is intact and I will see my earthly father again when I see my heavenly Father in heaven.
Grace to you,
Sara
And I contend that I am not interpreting 1 Tim 2:9-10 “loosely” but in accordance with Paul’s intended meaning.
You tell me: would no woman ever wearing “braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire” (1 Tim 2:9) accomplish what Paul is after? Would the avoidance of those items of clothing ensure that women would be concerning themselves with good works?
Does braided hair cancel out good works in some way?
So I think the point is not that women should never braid their hair. I think the point is that women should be concerned with good works, not their appearance.
I submit that this isn’t a loose interpretation.
Blessings!
JMH
How can you know what Paul intended if you have not spoken to him or were not there at the time it was written? I agree that the intent is most likely to dress modestly. So who decides what is modest? That is open for all degrees of interpretation form rigid to loose. My point is simply that because of the changes in culture the interpretation of that verse has changed over time. Why is that permissible but the interpretation of teaching not affected by the changes in culture. Jesus treated women with a higher degree of respect than what was typical of the times showing he saw women in a different light. Women are more educated today than in the New Testament days. I feel I must state that I do not feel a woman should be head of a church and there are roles that are designed for men and those designed for women but to say, because of 3 verses in the bible, which can be interpreted in more than one way, that a woman’s wisdom or spiritual insight is inadequate for a man to accept is very demeaning and not reflective of how Jesus treated women. I can assure you that there are some things only a woman could teach you and a perspective that is unique to a woman.
God’s Grace to you
Sara
Sara,
Thanks for your note. Paul’s instructions in 1 Tim 2 9-15 don’t change over time b/c he backs them up with an appeal to the created order in 2:13-14.
Blessings!
JMH
After reading all of the informative and interesting comments on this blog regarding this sticky subject, I find Nina Yar’s comment (March 21, 2007) is precise, poignant and exhibits a quiet and meek spirit. In her soft-spoken way, she has captured the essence of this text, as well as God’s message for us through His Word: freedom. Maybe we don’t have all the answers or the reasons “why?” the Lord has called us to certain roles with certain boundaries. But we know His ways are higher than ours and His will for us is liberty. The crazy thing about God’s ways: they seem oxymoronic. The more you give the more you receive? Lose your life to gain it? Obedience (submission)is the path to freedom?
God’s boundaries and provisions protect us and, as women, isn’t that a cry of our hearts? The problem lies not with God and His mandates, but with people’s desire to twist and pervert it for their own gain. Of course men will use this passage to oppress women. Men are human. Of course women will rebel against it. Women are human. But true freedom lies in surrendering to a God that made you, knows you, understands what you need to fulfill HIS purpose for your life. Take Him at His Word.
Much love,
Jenny
How does a Pharisee become a Pharisee? By obeying the letter of the Law instead of the spirit of the Law. The Lord desires husbands and wives to live in mutual love and submission and instructed them on their respective roles. One will lead, the other will assist (“helper”). But we read Paul mentioning Genesis 2:13-14 and we say this is an appeal to created order and therefore man is ‘lord’ over woman. What is the spirit of the Law? Listen to what Jesus has to say, “The first shall be the last and the last shall be the first. He who is to be the greatest, must be the servant of all.”
Who wants to qualify as the shepherd of the flock? The one who is willing to die for the flock.
We have a foolish man who is disobedient to the Scriptures and we have a wise lady who is obedient to the Scriptures. We have an immature male believer and we have a mature female believer. Whom shall we appoint as pastor of the our little congregation? Shall we obey the letter of the Law or shall we obey the spirit of the Law?
How does a Pharisee become a Pharisee?
Excellent, excellent, excellent.
Mr. Hamilton,
I agree with your interpretation of the scriptures in this matter. What do you have to say about Women leading the congregation (man included) in song; More commonly called as female
Worship leaders.
To my thinking, the question is whether the female worship leader would be teaching or exercising authority over men.
If she’s not doing that, she’s fine,
JMH
I agree with you but my only question is ‘what does the word ‘teaching’ in greek actually means. The other day I was telling my husband all about the research I made and what I’ve found about women ministry, the he stopped me and said is this you teaching me?(not that he was in disagreement) I replied that I was just informing him so because he did not know about the topic, was that teaching? when Paul referred about teaching over men was that referring to the word of God all everything in general?
Mika,
Paul is not saying that you can’t have conversations with your husband where you inform him of things he doesn’t know.
Paul is saying that women should not be the authority figures over men in the home or the church, and he is saying that women should not be installed as the regular teachers of men in the home or the church.
Blessings!
JMH
Honestly, nature itself teaches the role of women is not one of leadership. We, as men, have been forced to ignore all of the obvious limitations that are so apparent in the challenging life that women lead in this age; I don’t want to spend any time debating that.
Women who teach in the church many times just imitate the teaching style, body language and mannerisms of the one strong male that has influenced her the most. This is to be expected.
Every man that sits under the teaching of a female in the church has just humiliated himself abdicating his rightful position. Male pastors are not held accountable for the outrage that this practice promotes. The whole Church suffers for their disobedience. I don’t needGreek grammar to understand it.
Its so amazing how we focus on the wman and her role in the church,what she should do and not do. but we as men for get our duty and responsiblity we have and what we are told to do and not to do.
for example;
husband ove your wives,
water them with the word,
love them as christ loved the church,
fathers are to teach there children,
we as men are not to lord it over the sheep,
leaders (men) are to be the servant of all.
if our wives have a question we are to teach them.
we are to lay down our life for our wife as christ lays down his life for the church.
until we as men and leaders start doing what we are commanded to do lets stop lording over Gods daughters and making them feel as if they our lessor. and start doing what we where called to do.
But as men we are lazy disobedient , preoccupied in work,sports,hobbies,sleeping,ruling, that we forget we have the greater accountablity to give. we are to be examples to our wife,children,families,co-workers, etc.
We pick out what scriptures says to feed our ego,pride.yet we our selves disreguard our leadership role as head and many have become the tail. in the home the husband is not the christ example of leadership , and we demand order when we are out of order.
women do everything in the home well we come home and say: hey wheres my this and that.
she is not your slave or maid. she is your help mate, call along side of you not behind you.oh what foolish thinking.
If a man is doing all that he is called to do,be the servant of all ,the women will submit ,will walk on your side, but the reason they are ahead at times, is because we are lagging behind and your a poor example of a leader and servant, and the word of God makes this strong point . that if your don’t live with your wife in an understanding way your prayers will be hindered.
so what does that have to say about your responsiblity to your wife, and your leadership role. men in the church don’t get involve,don’t help’,don’t know the word, don’t do nothing so the women step up to the plate , just like debra did in judges, when the call was to the man he said no, and debra rebuked him and took control.
I am a pastor of a church home fellowship , it started with just me and my wife teaching each other,well teaching ( exhorting,encouraging,building up each other in our faith. we had just been asked to leave a church where they where intimated by the love and care and friendship we had with the bretheren. a subject was brought up and i had studied on this subject that was brought up for a few years. when given my take on it , it troubled the leadership. they held to a different view. which was find with me . they didn’t say weather i was right or wrong , they just fear that i would make a stand and many would follow. but it was never my intention to do that ,it was just to voice my concerns and the father would have me do. thats it! so they had no biblical reason to tell my wife and i to stop serving and leave. but the reason was our distinctives is this and if you don’t agree we feel you must leave. iask one question does your distinctive have authority ove the word of God?
Well there rsponse was we have no comment. just go. ok ! so the lord spoke to my wifes heart and she said babe , where do we go on wedesdays, I said don’t quite know ,she said can i make a suggestion ,sure if the lord hows you a fellowship we go to lets go. if not why don’t you teach me and you be my pastor. hmm I said ok I wil seek the father in prayer. well we have a home fellowship now, but during the time for about 4 months as i taught the holy spirit spoke to my heart and said let her share with you. so i did and i would teach 3-4 weeks and she would teach , what it was teaching her to do was searching the scriptures,relying on the holy spirit, stick to the word of God, not traditions. take serious Gods word , let it teach you first,then teach others, and wow she is a wonderful teacher.
but my wife knows her position and she saw it in scripture by the holy spirit, she is a wonderful help mate, we clean together, wash dishes, dry together, serve together, pray , study , etc,,,,,, yet she lets me lead, teach, direct, event correct , because my desire is to love her, help her, be all that the father intended her to be in christ jesus, and once in awell she teaches at our home fellowship with great humility, not with authroity , or hear ye me . but in tears and brokenness un worthy to teach ,yet the holy spirit moves in a powerful way. yet one time a brother came and heard her and after said .
Can I say something I said sure , he said in front of everyone I totally disagree with this that your wife a woman is teaching that word of God says this and he mentioned timothy. woo my feathers raised up , oh i was just abut to lay my life down for her.
but my wife said as i was calming down ,and was trying to be quick to hear and slow to speak and slow to anger.
She says ; brother I recieve that ,and in no way would i ever want to offend the word of God, my husband is the pastor/leader i exknowlege that, I do not desire to be leader,or rule, over any. all I know is i love the word of God and the father so much I just wanted to share that. he had nothing to say.
later a brother got together with him,and after understanding : he concluded with saying this and the lord let me hear it . he said you know vic , when i heard she was going to share I didn’t want to be here, I did’nt want to listen, yet when she spoke the word of God and the scriptures, I said wow! how can I argue about the word of God, it burn in my heart. she’s speaking the word.
So was my wife teaching with the authority of a woman or authority of the scriptures with humitity. was she sharing her views, or sharing Gods word to build up ,exhort, encourage.was she just teaching men bible study or brothers and sisters in one accord. there is a difference. yet my wife is so awesome , she is a wonderful wife, mother,sister,co-worker in the work place, an encourager to me. and a wonderful teacher.the father is preparing her to not fear teaching in a group . for she will be used by the holy spirit to do Gods work . and who are we to say what that will be. the father said let her teach . and she shares, we have to understand what was the times in which paul was spealing and the situation timothy was in. what liberities we have in jesus.
Jesus said he could event have the rocks cry out, or the lords sense of humor , and have a donkey warn a prophet ,danger lie’s ahead andyou beat me. but what was the prophet told not to do, yet was doing it any way. till this day balaam is marked for his compromize.
so quit beating the scriptures and women and make sure men you take the log out of your own eye. and you are not lording it over the sheep and you are loving your wife, teaching her so she doesn’t have to seek other, live with her in an understanding way,or your prayers will be hindered. and submit to one another. oh one other quick point . who was the first evangelist? it was mary jesus told her to go tell the good new to the disciples especially peter. they all rejected what she said, yet note .the jesus strongely rebuke them for there unbelief. becareful who you say you are of no value,your word are of no meaning.jesus may just come and rebuke you strongely. oh how the traditions of men make the word of God of no effect.
my wife and I on the lord instructions and leading have step away from the insitutional church ,and going back to the lord design of home church fellowships. where the scripture is our statement of faith. so with that i make sure the scriptures is my blue print for the way the lord wants things done, not me or tradition, the way i live and model my life is accordingto the word of God , the instructions is based on the holy spirit aas my teacher tells me it is . so that the pwoer and fuliness of God may be displayed in our life. in jesus name.
Its so amazing how we focus on the woman and her role in the church,what she should do and not do. but we as men for get our duty and responsiblity we have and what we are told to do and not to do.
for example;
husband love your wives,
water them with the word,
love them as christ loved the church,
fathers are to teach there children,
we as men are not to lord it over the sheep,
leaders (men) are to be the servant of all.
if our wives have a question we are to teach them.
we are to lay down our life for our wife as christ lays down his life for the church.
until we as men and leaders start doing what we are commanded to do lets stop lording over Gods daughters and making them feel as if they our lessor. and start doing what we where called to do.
But as men we are lazy disobedient , preoccupied in work,sports,hobbies,sleeping,ruling, that we forget we have the greater accountablity to give. we are to be examples to our wife,children,families,co-workers, etc.
We pick out what scriptures says to feed our ego,pride.yet we our selves disreguard our leadership role as head and many have become the tail. in the home the husband is not the christ example of leadership , and we demand order when we are out of order.
women do everything in the home well we come home and say: hey wheres my this and that.
she is not your slave or maid. she is your help mate, call along side of you not behind you.oh what foolish thinking.
If a man is doing all that he is called to do,be the servant of all ,the women will submit ,will walk on your side, but the reason they are ahead at times, is because we are lagging behind and your a poor example of a leader and servant, and the word of God makes this strong point . that if your don’t live with your wife in an understanding way your prayers will be hindered.
so what does that have to say about your responsiblity to your wife, and your leadership role. men in the church don’t get involve,don’t help’,don’t know the word, don’t do nothing so the women step up to the plate , just like debra did in judges, when the call was to the man he said no, and debra rebuked him and took control.
I am a pastor of a church home fellowship , it started with just me and my wife teaching each other,well teaching ( exhorting,encouraging,building up each other in our faith. we had just been asked to leave a church where they where intimated by the love and care and friendship we had with the bretheren. a subject was brought up and i had studied on this subject that was brought up for a few years. when given my take on it , it troubled the leadership. they held to a different view. which was find with me . they didn’t say weather i was right or wrong , they just fear that i would make a stand and many would follow. but it was never my intention to do that ,it was just to voice my concerns and the father would have me do. thats it! so they had no biblical reason to tell my wife and i to stop serving and leave. but the reason was our distinctives is this and if you don’t agree we feel you must leave. iask one question does your distinctive have authority ove the word of God?
Well there rsponse was we have no comment. just go. ok ! so the lord spoke to my wifes heart and she said babe , where do we go on wedesdays, I said don’t quite know ,she said can i make a suggestion ,sure if the lord hows you a fellowship we go to lets go. if not why don’t you teach me and you be my pastor. hmm I said ok I wil seek the father in prayer. well we have a home fellowship now, but during the time for about 4 months as i taught the holy spirit spoke to my heart and said let her share with you. so i did and i would teach 3-4 weeks and she would teach , what it was teaching her to do was searching the scriptures,relying on the holy spirit, stick to the word of God, not traditions. take serious Gods word , let it teach you first,then teach others, and wow she is a wonderful teacher.
but my wife knows her position and she saw it in scripture by the holy spirit, she is a wonderful help mate, we clean together, wash dishes, dry together, serve together, pray , study , etc,,,,,, yet she lets me lead, teach, direct, event correct , because my desire is to love her, help her, be all that the father intended her to be in christ jesus, and once in awell she teaches at our home fellowship with great humility, not with authroity , or hear ye me . but in tears and brokenness un worthy to teach ,yet the holy spirit moves in a powerful way. yet one time a brother came and heard her and after said .
Can I say something I said sure , he said in front of everyone I totally disagree with this that your wife a woman is teaching that word of God says this and he mentioned timothy. woo my feathers raised up , oh i was just abut to lay my life down for her.
but my wife said as i was calming down ,and was trying to be quick to hear and slow to speak and slow to anger.
She says ; brother I recieve that ,and in no way would i ever want to offend the word of God, my husband is the pastor/leader i exknowlege that, I do not desire to be leader,or rule, over any. all I know is i love the word of God and the father so much I just wanted to share that. he had nothing to say.
later a brother got together with him,and after understanding : he concluded with saying this and the lord let me hear it . he said you know vic , when i heard she was going to share I didn’t want to be here, I did’nt want to listen, yet when she spoke the word of God and the scriptures, I said wow! how can I argue about the word of God, it burn in my heart. she’s speaking the word.
So was my wife teaching with the authority of a woman or authority of the scriptures with humitity. was she sharing her views, or sharing Gods word to build up ,exhort, encourage.was she just teaching men bible study or brothers and sisters in one accord. there is a difference. yet my wife is so awesome , she is a wonderful wife, mother,sister,co-worker in the work place, an encourager to me. and a wonderful teacher.the father is preparing her to not fear teaching in a group . for she will be used by the holy spirit to do Gods work . and who are we to say what that will be. the father said let her teach . and she shares, we have to understand what was the times in which paul was spealing and the situation timothy was in. what liberities we have in jesus.
Jesus said he could event have the rocks cry out, or the lords sense of humor , and have a donkey warn a prophet ,danger lie’s ahead andyou beat me. but what was the prophet told not to do, yet was doing it any way. till this day balaam is marked for his compromize.
so quit beating the scriptures and women and make sure men you take the log out of your own eye. and you are not lording it over the sheep and you are loving your wife, teaching her so she doesn’t have to seek other, live with her in an understanding way,or your prayers will be hindered. and submit to one another. oh one other quick point . who was the first evangelist? it was mary jesus told her to go tell the good new to the disciples especially peter. they all rejected what she said, yet note .the jesus strongely rebuke them for there unbelief. becareful who you say you are of no value,your word are of no meaning.jesus may just come and rebuke you strongely. oh how the traditions of men make the word of God of no effect.
my wife and I on the lord instructions and leading have step away from the insitutional church ,and going back to the lord design of home church fellowships. where the scripture is our statement of faith. so with that i make sure the scriptures is my blue print for the way the lord wants things done, not me or tradition, the way i live and model my life is accordingto the word of God , the instructions is based on the holy spirit aas my teacher tells me it is . so that the pwoer and fuliness of God may be displayed in our life. in jesus name.
I don’t recall the role of “senior pastor” being mentioned in the Bible, or the function of the pastor ranked any higher than the other four roles of the ascension gifts. If anything, apostles and prophets may share a greater authority in guiding a church than a pastor, but to say that a woman cannot function as a teacher, a pastor, a prophet, an evangelist, or an apostle because it would potentially result in her instructing men is to exclude them from functioning in Christ’s Body entirely. And we must never forget that Paul is also the one who writes, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ,” which is far more consistent with Jesus’s teachings and the rest of Paul’s own. We have to settle our minds that we do not fully understand the context or implications of Paul’s statement here, since the remainder of NT Scripture paints a very different picture for us.
The current Western model for “doing church” looks far more like the Old Testament model of a high priest (our “preacher” or “pastor”) who is closer to God than the people he represents and ministers to than the model given us in the Book of Acts and prophesied in Joel. Therefore it makes perfect sense that our attempts to apply some of Paul’s instructions to “the church” don’t pan out, since our current model for “church” is extra-Biblical in the first place.
I did a little study. In 1 corinthians when he states the following, verse 34 and 35 are rhetorical. He has stated in the past that we are not of the law and in verse 36, he’s saying this practice is out of hand. The issue is the Corinthians were following Jewish law in the treatment of their women and Paul was condemning them for it saying the women were perfectly allowed to speak, pray and prophesy in church.
34 Women[f] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.[g]
36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.[h]
39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
In Galatians, he says there is no difference between male and female in Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Pretty cut and dry that women are equal with men and that he was condemning the Corinthians for treating them differently. He had a lot of issues in Corinth with Jews following Jewish law but claiming they were christian. He even refused to have Titus circumsized even though some people in churches like Corinth wanted him to be.
Now to address 2nd Timothy. Paul was taking on a different strategy with Timothy. Paul had Timothy circumsized to appeal to the Jews and wanted Timothy to set up churches in Jewish communities that followed the same procedures as Jews to appeal to them further. Timothy was the one in charge of the church in Ephesus where Paul told him to have the women quiet and submissive.
A woman[a] should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;[b] 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[c] will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
Paul may have been in error here. Just as he has caught Peter in error in the past (in regard to Jewish law). He seems to contradict his previous position on women to other churches to give into Jewish tradition. He also goes on to say that women can be saved through childbearing when we all know as he has stated in the past that salvation is based on faith in Christ Jesus alone.
A lady around 24 years old, wants to do a Bible study with my daughter and a boy who comes from an unsaved home, the boy is 17, and has never been dicipled and wants to grow. The pastor’s wife said she can’t because teaching over men.. I know and agree with the scriptures women should NOT teach or have authority over a man. So I’m looking for insight to this subject any help? Tabitha
I think it would be best for that young man to be discipled by an older man. Is there anyone to step up and show him how to be a man of God?
Pseudo-paul contradicts the plain teaching of Luke. More proof that the Bible is NOT infallible or inerrant.
Mercy,love,peace and gracebe with you and yours in a bundancy.We are independent Christian Fellowship Church in Kenya with no a ffiliation to any Church and without good ground in Jesus’name.We would love to preach good news of Jesus Christ to the broken hearted,poor and the captives to God’s Kingdom.Therefore we need good ground of Lord’s business serving Him and saving the lost.Please send us some Christian books to use them for teaching God’s people.We look forward to hear from you soon.
Please help us Bibles.
God bless you.
Holace and Lilian.