This one is a little more lengthy, simply because I
needed to deal as best as I could with this passage since it has been twisted
to mean so many different things. Whether you agree with what I have written or
not, I simply ask you to ask the Holy Spirit what this passage means and what
the Scripture really teaches.
God bless
Parallel passages (1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and Titus
2:3-5)
Let the woman learn in silence
with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp
authority over the man, but to be in silence.
Paul says that women are to lean to be silent. But why, well Paul goes on to
explain in the next few verses and in 1 Corinthians 14, which I have included
at the end today, why. But the first thing I want to call your attention to is
that this issue of women having different gender roles than men has been
universally evident throughout the 6,000 years or so of this world’s existence.
It is only in the last 200 years that feminism and complete gender “equality”
has emerged causing doubts and, sadly, many denominations have revised their
doctrine (teaching) on the subject.
Paul
says that women are not to teach, this does not mean not to teach her children
or other women (Titus2). In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul says that this not teaching
men (eldership, pastoral ministry, preaching) is a pattern for the churches,
not just one particular church as false teaching today has said. Paul does not
suffer (allow, condone) women teaching in the church. Why? Because she is not
to usurp authority over men. The reason for this goes all the way back to the
first few chapters of the Bible, you see, God created woman to be a “helpmeet,”
a companion and helper for a man to fulfill his God-given work. She was a
helper, not the leader. Man was clearly appointed as the leader by God.
13 For Adam was first formed, then
Eve. 14 And Adam was not
deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Adam
was created by God and given a task to do: name the animals and then take care
of the Garden of Eden. Eve was created to help him and be a companion to
encourage and lift him up. Adam was not the one deceived in the Garden. No, he willingly
in full knowledge of his disobedience ate the fruit. But Eve, woman,
however was deceived. This portrays a principle that should be considered:
women tend to be more susceptible to deception because of their more emotional
nature. Men, tend to be more unemotional and can make decisions without really
worrying about how somebody feels, but rather remaining somewhat objective and
focused on what is truth. This is why God has appointed men to be the leaders
of their families and the Church, because they can deal with doctrinal error
and not get caught up in the emotions and feelings to as great an extent as
women naturally tend to do. The man is not without accountability, though. He
is to submit to Christ, which is a very high standard; and the woman is to
submit to him (Eph. 5).
15 Notwithstanding she shall be
saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with
sobriety.
At
first glance this passage may appear confusing. But after seeking the Lord and
then double checking myself with several commentaries, I believe that this
verse is referring to what my initial conclusion was after mediating on it:
woman is saved through bearing the Lord Jesus Christ. If a woman accepts Christ
(whom womankind bore), and if she continues steadfastly in her faith and
in love and in holiness and soberly (sound mind, wisdom, alert), she will be
saved. She is saved the same way that every man is saved: through Christ and
walking out her Faith the rest of her life. However, she alone has the
distinction of having had the privilege of bearing the Savior in her body.
1 Tim 2:11-15 (KJV)
Parallel Passages to Consider:
The aged women likewise, that they be in
behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine,
teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their
husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home,
good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Titus 2:3-5 (KJV)
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is
not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under
obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask
their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Corinthians14:34-35 (KJV)
The following passage is not talking about destroying
gender roles and distinctions, but rather, that all are saved in Christ and are
thus one body, the Church:
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ
Jesus. 27 For as many of you as
have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are
all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:26-28 (KJV)
