No Paul Didn’t Say That
BIBLE READING: 1 Timothy 2:11-15. “Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.” NLT
BLOG: I usually don’t write about the daily Bible reading, but I cannot ignore todays passage. People often misunderstand 1 Tim. 2: 11 - 15 and use it to malign a women’s place in the church and in faith.
First of all, Paul is writing a personal letter to Timothy. He was dealing with some difficult matters at the church in Ephesus. Apparently, there was some tension or conflict going on. Now at first reading one would conclude that Paul is say, “Women, sit down and shut up. This is mans work.” So that we are clear, Paul isn’t saying that.
The way this is written in the Greek, it leads us to believe that Paul doesn’t like how some women are teaching men. Instead of having a humble heart, which all teachers should have, they were domineering and arrogant. He isn’t saying that men are superior to men, he rejecting the notion that women are superior to men. He points out Adam and Eve to reinforce his point. They were created to be partners working together.
The whole, “saved through childbirth” thing has to be seen in light of the pagan worship of Ephesus to Artemis. She was the fertility goddess and protector of women. Paul is saying that they don’t need to look to a pagan god for that, Jesus is right here for them.
When the Holy Spirit was poured out in Acts 2 it was obvious that women were to be included in the church. Because they had been excluded from faith for so long teaching them could have presented a challenge to the young church. Pauls actions here wasn’t to exclude them, but to create a environment for them to succeed. Faith - Love - Holiness - Modesty.
PRAY: Dear Jesus, help me to be the best I can be for my church today. AMEN.
BLOG: I usually don’t write about the daily Bible reading, but I cannot ignore todays passage. People often misunderstand 1 Tim. 2: 11 - 15 and use it to malign a women’s place in the church and in faith.
First of all, Paul is writing a personal letter to Timothy. He was dealing with some difficult matters at the church in Ephesus. Apparently, there was some tension or conflict going on. Now at first reading one would conclude that Paul is say, “Women, sit down and shut up. This is mans work.” So that we are clear, Paul isn’t saying that.
The way this is written in the Greek, it leads us to believe that Paul doesn’t like how some women are teaching men. Instead of having a humble heart, which all teachers should have, they were domineering and arrogant. He isn’t saying that men are superior to men, he rejecting the notion that women are superior to men. He points out Adam and Eve to reinforce his point. They were created to be partners working together.
The whole, “saved through childbirth” thing has to be seen in light of the pagan worship of Ephesus to Artemis. She was the fertility goddess and protector of women. Paul is saying that they don’t need to look to a pagan god for that, Jesus is right here for them.
When the Holy Spirit was poured out in Acts 2 it was obvious that women were to be included in the church. Because they had been excluded from faith for so long teaching them could have presented a challenge to the young church. Pauls actions here wasn’t to exclude them, but to create a environment for them to succeed. Faith - Love - Holiness - Modesty.
PRAY: Dear Jesus, help me to be the best I can be for my church today. AMEN.
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