THE ROLE OF MEN IN WORSHIP – 1 Timothy 2:8, 11-15
Paul writes: “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension” (vs 8).
In answering the questions if Paul/God are limiting the role of women here and if this limitation is for all times, all places, among all people, we note three things here: 1.) Paul uses “the” before men, showing that he is stating a universal application; 2.) Paul does not use the more generic term for “man” (anthropos) which he uses in verses 1 & 5 where it might be appropriately translated “humankind.” Rather, here, he uses the word aner, which means “male” as opposed to “female.” Then, third, Paul obviously uses “in every place.” That’s fairly universal.
The context is clear that verses 11-15 are parallel in their content with verse 8…
“A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”
Verse 11 – Shows that the general principle is that women ought to receive instruction quietly and with entire submissiveness. This shows that it is warranted and appropriate for women to be in the public assembly of worship and to learn of God’s message. You are familiar with the Taliban, and other Muslim groups, who do not believe that women ought to get an education, period.
Verse 12 – Women cannot exercise authority over the male in church/worship.
Verse 13 – 1.) Because she was created second.
Verse 14 – 2.) Because she was deceived into sin. Compare Genesis 3:16.
Verse 15 – 3.) Because she’ll be saved in fulfilling her own role.
It is also delivered right to the user’s doorstep. viagra generico uk Why should you choose chiropractic as an alternative medicine? A better question is why is chiropractic not considered as mainstream medicine? With the popularity of chiropractic today, it cialis levitra viagra might become a mainstream for of medicine in few years’ time; keep your fingers crossed. Older men can easily use the oral jelly, if levitra properien they have problems using traditional ED pills. How to take generic cialis price ? viagra can be taken orally without the need of water for enabling hard on for sufficient time.
Of course, women were to be teachers. The passages that modern-day students use to suggest that women may teach in the public assembly actually do no such thing. They are only examples of women teaching and if the audience is even mentioned, it is either non-Christians or women and children:
Priscilla – Acts 18:26 – privately
Lois & Eunice – 2 Timothy 1:5 – children
Phoebe – Rom. 16:1 – servant, not a leader
Women in Corinth – 1 Cor. 11:5 – limited to women and children (1 Cor. 14:34-35)
Philip’s daughters – Acts 21:9 – audience is not mentioned
Women in Crete – Titus 2:3 – younger women
Yes, America has come a long way in respecting the equality of women. The fact that a woman has now been chosen as the presidential candidate of a major political party shows that Americans as a whole recognize women’s abilities to do such things. Yet, even if Hillary Clinton were to become President of the United States, if she were a member of Christ’s church, she could not be a preacher, an elder or deacon or in any way exercise authority over men in the church nor over her husband in the home. What that demands, then, is for such women with considerable power and influence outside the church to be humble towards God and realize they cannot exercise that authority over men in the church.
God placed women at the side of men. In that role, women will honor Christ using all the gifts, skills, and talents at their disposal.
–Paul Holland
