Tag: women

This is one of the more controversial passages in scripture among Bible-believing Christians.

The main question is whether it is permissible for women to have leadership and teaching positions over men in the church. In short, is it God’s desire for them to be overseers of men, or pastors of men in the church?

When Paul says, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man,” what does he mean?

He could hardly have been restricting all teaching activities from the women, since he talks favorably of godly women like Eunice and Lois (Timothy’s mother and grandmother) teaching Timothy about God and the scriptures (II Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15).

We also see Paul saying that older women should teach younger women. (Titus 2:3-4).

In addition, it doesn’t seem that all teaching of men by women was banned because in the book of Acts, we see a married couple teaching Apollos (Acts 18:26).

So we see clearly what Paul’s words don’t mean.

The question is not what Paul’s words don’t mean, but what they do mean. And there we find the controversy.

Today and tomorrow, we will look at the two main positions held by Bible-believing Christians, and the strengths and weaknesses of each.

From there, I would challenge you to think through the issues and come to your own conclusions.

The first position is that Paul’s instructions were restricted to the Ephesian church that Timothy was at.

The argument is that the women there were being led away by false teachers, and for that reason, they were not to teach or hold positions of leadership over men.

What is the evidence given for this position? First, we know for certain there were false teachers in the church (1 Timothy 1:3-7).

Second, we know that Paul often worked with women in the ministry. Romans 16 is very clear evidence of that, as well as other places in scripture.

The third thing is the interpretation given to Paul’s words in verse 14.

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. (1 Timothy 2:14)

The argument is that the woman was not adequately taught by Adam and therefore fell into deception.

In the same way, the Ephesian women were not adequately taught yet, and so they were to humbly keep quiet and learn until they were better trained.

There are other arguments that are made, but these are the essential points. Tomorrow, we’ll look at the other side’s position.