God, through the Holy Spirit by the pen of Paul wrote to Timothy, a young
evangelist and said, "Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission. I do
not allow a woman to teach nor to have authority over a man; she is to be in
quietness." (1 Tim. 2:11-12) Various interpretations of these verses have been
the occasion of much controversy.
It is an undeniable fact that the verses listed above limit a woman's role in
religion. It is God himself who has imposed restrictions on what a woman may
or may not do in her spiritual service. Let no human being loose what God has
bound through the apostles. One of the problems is, some people bind what
God has loosed and they loose what God has bound. To do either is a mistake
because it results in the impeachment of divine wisdom. (Mat.16:19; Jas. 4:12;
1 Pet. 4:11)
Paul says, "Let a woman learn in quietness." Some take the word "quietness"
to mean that she can say nothing in a Bible class. They say that to do so is a
violation of the text. First, the word translated "silence" or "quietness" in some
versions (cf. NIV, TNIV,ASV; NASB-95 says "quietly") is hesuchia. It is used
to indicate a state of keeping one's peace, giving calm attention; being silent.
So, the question becomes, does the text teach that a woman must say nothing
at all; that she may not comment or ask questions even in a Bible class
arrangement?
First, hesuchia does not necessitate total silence. In this very context, just
nine verses earlier Paul uses the cognate form hesuchion. He urges that
"supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people,
for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life." (1 Tim. 2:1-2) Is he saying that we should pray for those in
authority that we may be silent and say nothing? Based on the context, it is
apparent that absolute silence is not what the apostle intends, rather he enjoins
a quiet demeanor.
Second, it seems that Paul expands on the concept of "quietness" or "silence"
in the next verse. "I do not allow a woman to teach nor to have authority over a
man; she is to be in quietness." Paul's statement that "I do not allow a woman to
teach" must not be taken as a categorical denial of a woman's right to teach
anyone at any time. He did allow women to teach. One of the qualifications of a
"real widow" that Paul enjoins in this very letter is "she must be well attested for
her good deeds, as one who has brought up children." (1 Tim. 5:10) The
phrase "brought up children" implies any provisions she made for them including
teaching them about their duties to God. (Also see 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15; Titus 2:3-4)
Women even taught men in apostolic days. (Acts 18:26) It's a matter of how it is
done and the demeanor that characterizes the woman who teaches. When a
woman asks a question in a Bible class, or when she answers a question posed
by the teacher, she is not violating the statement "learn in quietness."
Third, Paul does not forbid a woman to teach a man, but he does not allow
her to teach in a way that constitutes having authority of or over a man. If she
maintains a quiet, humble, and unassuming demeanor she may ask questions
and make comments in a class setting without violating the scriptures. A woman
may not engage in any religious teaching that involves "having authority
over a man." She may not be a public preacher of the word, neither does she
have the biblical authority to serve as an overseer or elder within a local
congregation. To do so would be to "have authority" that God does not allow
her to have. (Titus 2:15; Acts 20:28)
Someone may ask, "What about 1 Cor. 14:34-35, where Paul writes, "the
women should keep silence in the assemblies. For they are not permitted to
speak, but should be subordinate, even as the law says. If there is anything
they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful
for a woman to speak in assembly." This text speaks to what is done in a
gathering of the whole congregation. (v. 23) A Bible class arrangement is not
in view. Spiritual gifts were being exercised for the building up of the
congregation (verses 3-5, 12, 26, 31), and this necessitated all things to be
done decently and in order. (v.40) Therefore, Paul forbids interruptions as
they would tend to result in confusion. (v. 33) In the type of assembly that
Paul discusses the women were to remain silent. Paul's statement, "Let
them ask their husbands at home" seems to imply that the women he
addresses had husbands, and that the husbands could supply the answers
to the questions their wives would ask.
RD
Copyright 2011
evangelist and said, "Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission. I do
not allow a woman to teach nor to have authority over a man; she is to be in
quietness." (1 Tim. 2:11-12) Various interpretations of these verses have been
the occasion of much controversy.
It is an undeniable fact that the verses listed above limit a woman's role in
religion. It is God himself who has imposed restrictions on what a woman may
or may not do in her spiritual service. Let no human being loose what God has
bound through the apostles. One of the problems is, some people bind what
God has loosed and they loose what God has bound. To do either is a mistake
because it results in the impeachment of divine wisdom. (Mat.16:19; Jas. 4:12;
1 Pet. 4:11)
Paul says, "Let a woman learn in quietness." Some take the word "quietness"
to mean that she can say nothing in a Bible class. They say that to do so is a
violation of the text. First, the word translated "silence" or "quietness" in some
versions (cf. NIV, TNIV,ASV; NASB-95 says "quietly") is hesuchia. It is used
to indicate a state of keeping one's peace, giving calm attention; being silent.
So, the question becomes, does the text teach that a woman must say nothing
at all; that she may not comment or ask questions even in a Bible class
arrangement?
First, hesuchia does not necessitate total silence. In this very context, just
nine verses earlier Paul uses the cognate form hesuchion. He urges that
"supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people,
for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life." (1 Tim. 2:1-2) Is he saying that we should pray for those in
authority that we may be silent and say nothing? Based on the context, it is
apparent that absolute silence is not what the apostle intends, rather he enjoins
a quiet demeanor.
Second, it seems that Paul expands on the concept of "quietness" or "silence"
in the next verse. "I do not allow a woman to teach nor to have authority over a
man; she is to be in quietness." Paul's statement that "I do not allow a woman to
teach" must not be taken as a categorical denial of a woman's right to teach
anyone at any time. He did allow women to teach. One of the qualifications of a
"real widow" that Paul enjoins in this very letter is "she must be well attested for
her good deeds, as one who has brought up children." (1 Tim. 5:10) The
phrase "brought up children" implies any provisions she made for them including
teaching them about their duties to God. (Also see 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15; Titus 2:3-4)
Women even taught men in apostolic days. (Acts 18:26) It's a matter of how it is
done and the demeanor that characterizes the woman who teaches. When a
woman asks a question in a Bible class, or when she answers a question posed
by the teacher, she is not violating the statement "learn in quietness."
Third, Paul does not forbid a woman to teach a man, but he does not allow
her to teach in a way that constitutes having authority of or over a man. If she
maintains a quiet, humble, and unassuming demeanor she may ask questions
and make comments in a class setting without violating the scriptures. A woman
may not engage in any religious teaching that involves "having authority
over a man." She may not be a public preacher of the word, neither does she
have the biblical authority to serve as an overseer or elder within a local
congregation. To do so would be to "have authority" that God does not allow
her to have. (Titus 2:15; Acts 20:28)
Someone may ask, "What about 1 Cor. 14:34-35, where Paul writes, "the
women should keep silence in the assemblies. For they are not permitted to
speak, but should be subordinate, even as the law says. If there is anything
they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful
for a woman to speak in assembly." This text speaks to what is done in a
gathering of the whole congregation. (v. 23) A Bible class arrangement is not
in view. Spiritual gifts were being exercised for the building up of the
congregation (verses 3-5, 12, 26, 31), and this necessitated all things to be
done decently and in order. (v.40) Therefore, Paul forbids interruptions as
they would tend to result in confusion. (v. 33) In the type of assembly that
Paul discusses the women were to remain silent. Paul's statement, "Let
them ask their husbands at home" seems to imply that the women he
addresses had husbands, and that the husbands could supply the answers
to the questions their wives would ask.
RD
Copyright 2011
Bravo! Another timely post. I'm going to copy this and pass it on to one of the sisters in the congregation. This has been a topic of discussion between us.
ReplyDeleteThank you dear sister. I pray that much
ReplyDeletegood will be done for the cause we love.
May God be glorified and thanks for the
encouragement.
RD