Scripture

It’s best if a woman learns quietly and orderly in complete submission. Now, Timothy, it’s not my habit to allow women to teach in a way that wrenches authority from a man. As I said, it’s best if a woman learns quietly and orderly. This is because Adam was formed first by God, then Eve. Plus, it wasn’t Adam who was tricked; it was she—the woman was the one who was fooled and disobeyed God’s command first. Still, God, in His faithfulness, will deliver her through childbearing as long as she remains in faith and love and holiness with self-restraint.

1 Timothy 2:11-15 (VOICE)

The Gist

Allison takes a deeper look at a verse she has been overlooking (on purpose) for years to find out what she believes Scripture says about women teaching and leading in ministry.

Historical Context: This letter was written by Paul to Timothy, who was leading the Church in Ephesus. At the time, the city was dominated by the Cult of Artemis (Greek goddess of childbirth and fertility). Scholars believe the women leaders were trying to influence and blend their ideas with the church.

The Word Definitions Count:

Hesychia "silence", authentein "authority", and askein "to teach"

Two Sides: Traditional: believe the text is black and white - that Pau's instructions should be universal and across the board. The other side (Egalitarian): says Paul wrote the letter to address this specific local crisis (The cult of Artemis) and not laying it down as a timeless universal biblical law.

MOST INTERESTING argument for the Egalitarian way of thought for Allison is how many more of Paul's letters in which he spoke of women as leaders and affirmed their roles in ministry, sometimes even putting their name before men.

Acts 18:26, 1 Corinthians 11:5, Romans 16:1-16, etc.

Digging Deeper

Is there something in God's Word that you have been ignoring or going with the flow on, depending on who you were around? Something that maybe you are nervous about or avoiding because you might not like the answer?

Are you willing to take it on with God, dig in, and allow Him to speak truth to you?

Where to start: get a good commentary and Bible with extensive endnotes/footnotes. Start with the historical context, enter into the time period, and consider when, why, and who wrote the letter. Then pick out the words that stand out (mine were silence/quiet, authority, teach) and define them with their Greek or Hebrew meanings. Consider the author and compare their other writings (if they have them) to see if you find a theme.

Paul's writing showed me a theme of honoring and affirming women in ministry rather than dismissing them from it. That's what led me to believe this letter was written to a specific situation, instead of an overall Biblical theme.