The following comes from my book 1 Timothy:
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 (Titus 2). 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: womankind 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.
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)
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Chapter
3
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of
a bishop, he desireth a good work.
We are now looking at the qualifications for a
Pastor/Elder/Bishop/Overseer. All four of these titles really refer to the same
office: a ministry of pastoral leadership of a local flock of the Church. Titus
1 and 1 Peter 5 both talk about this office as well, but as we look at 1
Timothy, Paul is saying that it is a good thing if a man (not a woman) desires the office of bishop
(pastor/elder/overseer of the house of God). It is a good work, a life of
service, that he desires. However, he must meet certain qualifications, not
just desire it. Today, we hear a lot of emphasis on experiencing a call and
this is good; but it cannot be divorced from Scriptures clear qualifications.
2 A
bishop then must be blameless,
Being blameless carries with it the idea
of being innocent, not deserving reprimand for wrong actions. In short this man
is self controlled and is not bring reproach on the name of Christ through
living in a questionable fashion. As we will see in all these requirements, God
expects the pastor to set an example through his lifestyle that the flock
should follow. He is to be an example and a leader.
the husband of one
wife,
When this man got married, he should stay married for life. He should
not be getting divorced upward of 3x’s as over half in the American church
today do. If he was divorced before accepting Christ, this may not apply; however, the Scripture is very clear that God
expects the pastor to set an example in his marriage: by clinging fastly to his
wife and not getting divorced over unbiblical grounds (the only Biblical
grounds is adultery—Matt. 5). If he has problems and conflict with his wife, he
is to love her as Christ loves the Church and gave himself for it (Eph. 5).
vigilant,
Vigilance carries with it the meaning of being alert, spiritually awake;
ready to detect and avoid danger. In short, the pastor should not be lukewarm,
but should be “on fire” for the things of God and in relationship with the Lord
and in the Word so that he can detect dangers in doctrine, in lifestyle, in
national policy, in beliefs, and in the culture for himself and the flock he is
an undershepherd of.
sober,
The pastor is to be seriously minded, sober; and not caught up in
pursuing pleasures and a “good time.” Rather, he is to set the example of
carefully living a life that honors the Lord. Not be mere willpower, but by
continuous humility and trust in God.
of good behaviour,
The pastor
should be known for his good behavior, not for losing his temper and showing
immaturity through his tongue. This applies not only in his words, but his
actions. A helpful illustration is this “Even a child is known by his doings,
whether his work be pure, and whether it be right” (Proverbs 20:11, KJV).
given to hospitality,
He should know how to be hospitable. This many times may apply by
opening his home, caring for people, and practicing kindness.
apt to teach;
This is one is very important. Even if he is not naturally talented to
teach, he must be able to. For the role of pastor is largely teaching the
flock. Yes he is to lead them, but he cannot effectively lead if he cannot
effectively teach. Therefore, he must learn how to clearly teach the truth to
others.
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Not
given to wine,
This does not mean that the Pastor never takes a drink of wine, but that
he is not addicted to it or controlled by it.
no
striker,
He does not quickly lash out in temper by physically fighting others.
not
greedy of filthy lucre;
He is not greedy for money. Especially for ill-gotten, questionable
monies—such as money coming from supporting abortion, tobacco, robbing the
fatherless, oppressing the widow, etc….that destroys others’ lives though
profitable.
but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
Instead of the three negative character
qualities above, the Pastor is patient. Not one to be incited easily to
fighting (though fighting is sometimes necessary) and not greedy (covetous,
lusting) for material possessions or keeping up with the Joneses.
4 One
that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all
gravity
He leads and manages his household
well. His children are parented and submissive. They are respectful. This is a
quality that seems to be largely overlooked today. A pastor, must meet the
Biblical qualifications. While no man is perfect, there are men out there who
meet these qualifications.
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(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall
he take care of the church of God?)
One of the primary qualifications for a minister is that he rules
(manages, leads) his house well. Just think through Paul’s Biblical argument:
how can a man who cannot minister to his own children, teach them, and manage
his own life and relationships with the most important people in his life, then
how can he care for the people that make up the Church?
6 Not
a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the
devil.
A minister, must not be a novice, that
is not new to the Faith and immature. If he is put in a position of pastoral
leadership as an immature Christian, Satan will attack him with pride and if he
does become prideful, he will fall into the condemnation of the devil. Satan
himself was in leadership, but was prideful and thought himself better than
God, therefore he was kicked out of heaven.
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Moreover he must have a good report of them which are
without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
He must have a good report of them which are without. This means that he
must be well spoken of by unbelievers. Now, some unbelievers will simply hate
him for his Faith. But if a man has integrity, is honest, kind, and loving,
even unbelievers will notice and will not have bad things to say about him. If
the Pastor does not have anyone outside of the Faith that speaks well of him,
this Scripture warns that he will fall in to reproach (correction/needing to be
corrected) and the snare of the devil.
8 Likewise
must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much
wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Deacons, like pastors, are expected to be sober minded/level
headed/realistic (grave); and not gossips or deceptive saying one thing to one
party and another thing to another party (doubletongued). In addition, they are
not to be given to drunkenness and excessive drinking. The Scripture here does
not say that they must abstain from all wine. Likewise, they must not be greedy
for money, but humble and content.
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Holding
the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Deacons must be men who hold steadfastly to the Faith. They must have
the conviction that the Faith is true with a pure conscience (not feeling doubt
or uncertainty about what Jesus did in their heart).
This is very significant, for many are in church leadership today who do
not hold to the basics of the Christian Faith such as Redemption, Heaven, Hell,
the Law of God, and the coming Judgment with a pure conscience. The Deacon must
have full adherence to these basics. If he does not, he will disqualify himself
by being an unstable leader who does not even know what his Faith is and why he
clings to it. Faith is not blind, but is placed in something that cannot be
seen (Christ’s sacrifice).
