This debate has gone on in the church for for some time. Some believe that it's tolerable for women to teach while others find it unacceptable. The biggest issue in the debate being whether or not a woman can teach men. I believe that in this article some light will be shed on this issue. Let's start by taking a look at the main text where this debate is anchored.
1 Timothy 2:9-15
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;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11 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.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (KJV)
In this text Paul builds his argument on the order of creation which is also referred to as the law in 1 Corinthians 14:34. The woman’s desire is to be after her husband and he is to rule, have authority and headship over the woman. While the wife is to be submissive to her husband, he is not suppose to lord it over her but rather he is to love his wife, even as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Eph 5:25).
Now when we look at the grammatical notation for "to teach" in verse 12 we find that it is a present infinitive which means that it speaks of a continuous or repeated action. So what Paul said to Timothy was that a woman was not to continuously teach a man, which would be seen as not being submissive (when looking at this verse in context).
Let us look back at verses 11 and 12.
1 Timothy 2:11-12
11 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. (KJV)
Notice how verse 11 and the last half of verse 12 deals with women keeping silent. The phrase "learn in silence" is also a present infinitive. Some ask how can she teach continuously and remain silent continuously both at the same time? I have put the word but in bolden type because they are showing contrast or a difference between the women keeping silent during an assembly and women not being allowed to teach. It does not imply that a woman is to both be silent and teach, but rather that she is not to teach and remain silent.
At the same time, because the grammatical notation is a present infinitive, it would show that Paul did not say that a woman could not teach a man at all. So from a Scriptural stand point women are permitted to teach men, just not continuously. Priscilla is seen in Scripture helping her husband teach Apollos the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:24-26). We even see a woman who laboured with Paul in the gospel (Phil 4:3). Note that in each case the woman was not alone when teaching, but was in company with a man, at least when teaching other men. What these ladies helped with was the gospel, so their labour appears to be more evangelistic in nature. There is no record of a woman teaching any other doctrines of the faith accept for a woman named Jezebel (Rev 2:20-24), who taught God's children to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols (from a so called divine revelation it appears). This woman seemed to be a self proclaimed prophetess. To say the least, her example was not good. She actually did exercise (usurp) authority over the man.
Paul here is simply prohibiting women from either teaching men in the congregation or from taking positions of authority in the congregation.
Seeing that this is the only passage of Scritpure in the New Testament forbidding women from teaching men I would be hard pressed to make this a core doctrine based on this one verse alone. When we do look into the Scriptures as a whole we do not see women teaching men in the congregation, though we do find that they sing and prophesy.
Some argue that 1 Corinthians 14:34 forbids a woman to speak in the congregation, yet when taken in context what Paul is saying is that the women are to keep silent in connection with the evaluation of a prophecy as discussed in the previous verses.
What does Scripture say that women should do?
Titus 2:3-5
3 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. (KJV)
We see that women are to teach other women on how to live the godly life, how to be a good wife and how to take care of things in the home. Basically it is like reading Proverbs 31. We see that their primary ministry is in the home. This is a very lofty work. Many a mother has had a great influence on their children that later have shaped the history of the church as well as the world.
In conclusion, we know that women are allowed to teach other women and children and that it is permissible for women to labour with men in teaching men the gospel, though it is not to be continuous. Whether or not a woman is allowed to teach men otherwise is not revealed in Scripture.
Moreover there is no support in Scripture for a woman pastor. I know that these words sound harsh to some, though they are not meant to be. It is simply the truth. The Lord bless these dear women for a heart after the Lord. They are doing it because they have been allowed to by the organized churches which are different than the church Jesus Christ established.
If you are a women pastor or know one, I recommend that you read my article titled "Biblical Elders" for more clarification.
To help you find what you're looking for on this site quicker I have provided the search engine box below.
|
|
