This is the last lesson of the series on women teaching. So far it has been presented that to properly understand the subject, the meaning of certain words must be studied in their context as they apply to what is written. That brings the study to 1 Timothy 2:8-15. 1 Timothy 2:8  I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Tim 2:9  In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 1 Tim 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Tim 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 1 Tim 2:12  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 1 Tim 2:13  For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 1 Tim 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.1 Tim 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

It is correct to say that the word men (a form of aner) in verse one refers to a man or male and in the context which follows, it requires it to mean husband. In like manner, the word women in verses 9 and 10 is a form of gunay and contextually must be understood to mean wives. Verse 11 begins Paul’s reasoning for what he told the Ephesians in his letter to Timothy. The word subjection in verse 11 essentially has the same meaning (different form) as the word used for submit in Ephesians 5:21-22. In verse 22, it is wives submit to your husbands.

Then in verse 12 Paul wrote that he didn’t allow a woman to teach or usurp authority over the man. Context again demands that the meaning is wife and husband respectively. Paul respected the husband wife relationship of the man being the head of the wife and had no authority of any kind to override the husband wife relationship. He also gives reason in verses 13-14 for his statement in verse 12. Then in verse 15 he mentions childbearing which has to refer to a wife. Her major work is taking care of the family which Paul emphasizes in verse 15.

The following questions beg to be asked. If Paul’s words to Timothy mean woman or women being in subjection to a man or men, what man or which men will they be subject if they are single? There is no other scripture that teaches that an unmarried woman is subject to anyone but the Lord.  [1 Cor 7:34] There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.  Since Paul told the church at Rome to do whatever Phebe asked of them, how could she do her work if she was forbidden to ask of or teach men? What man would she be subject to at Rome? The same is true of Lydia whose home became the first location for the church at Philippi. What man would she be subject to as an unmarried woman? How could an unbeliever learn if a Christian woman couldn’t teach him the gospel?

The fact of scripture is that Paul and the other writers didn’t address the unmarried very much. The work was with the married with some admonition about sexual sin to the single people. The plan of God is for men and women to be married with the wife following the husbands lead and being in submission. That may be a bitter pill for some to swallow, but that is what God wants of his married people.

In conclusion, there isn’t any prohibition for women teaching the gospel when the proper dividing of the word of truth is done. Old traditions and customs arising out of false teaching are difficult to overcome; each congregation must decide what they wish to do, but with a proper understanding of the scriptures when they do. Be as those in Brea: [Acts 17:10] And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.[Acts 17:11] These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. [Acts 17:12] Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.  Be as those of verse 11 to see if the things written are so.

© 09-24-2006

                                             Next Lesson Denying Sin