Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
1Tim.2:11-14
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1Tim.2:11-14
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The same Paul says that
all Christians in the church community should be in subjection to one another:
"Giving thanks at all times for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father, Being subject to one another in the fear of Christ" (Eph. 5:20,21)
If everyone in the Christian community is exhorted to be subject to one another, then I don't think you can pull out one passage to accuse Paul of singling out only one sex to practice subjection.
The same Apostle Paul mentioned the notable co-working couple of
Prisca and Aquila. He places the female of the couple first in his naming rather than second. Possibly because she was the more spiritually mature of the couple. I don't know for sure. But Paul must have had some reason for placing the wife's name before her husbands.
"Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, Who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I givethanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles" (Romans 16:3,4)
The same Apostle Paul also commends a female name of someone notable among the other apostles, Junia:
"Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me." (Romans 16:7)
This possibly could mean that among the apostles a female apostle was of note, the wife of one apostolic team
"Andronicus and Junia".
Paul seems quite unbigoted to give high commendation to a female here:
"I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a deaconess of the church which is in Cenchrea. That you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints ... for she has also been the patroness of many, of myself as well" (ROm. 16:1,2c)
Paul acknowledges that he depended on the help of this woman patron.
Again Paul singles out a female for high commendation in Rom. 16:6 -
"Greet Mary, one who has labored much for us."
The Apostle does not lightly mention fellow workers who assisted the ministry work. The woman Mary he commends for such acknowledgement.
Also, I would mention that Paul's instruction in First Timothy has a flavor of being his personal practice:
"But I do not permit a woman to teach or to assert authority over a man ..."
The phrase
"I do not permit" possibly reflects that this was his own style he was recommending. But he does undergird his personal practice with his reasons from the Scripture:
"But I do not permot a woman to teach or to assert authority over a man, but to be in quietness. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; And Adam was not deceived; but the woman, having been quite deceived, has fallen into transgression" (1 Tim. 2:12-14)
It is difficult to make a case that Paul wanted the woman not to speak at all in the church meetings because he speaks of women prophesying in First Corinthians. And he also says that all may prophesy one by one.
I take it that in authoritative defining of doctrines he did not permit women to assert that authority. All in all he does not seem that begotted as many who isolate one passage to place him in that selective characteristic.
Subjection, was to be practiced by all who were to be filled with the Holy Spirit. And he also breaks down the social strata a male and female in the Galatian letter:
"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus ... There cannot be Jew nor Greek, there cannot be slave nor free man, there cannot be male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if you are of Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, heirs accoding to promise." (See Gal. 3:26 - 29)
Here Paul does not say that there "should not be" the social stratas of the cultural classes. He says that in Christ there
"cannot be" such. In Christ and in the experience of Christ there is no possibility and there cannot be the social upper class and lower class of male and female.
Those wanting to examine Paul's alleged bigotry should beware of their own, and take into account the fuller scope of Paul's apostolic teaching.
Will the real homophobe please stand up!
06 Jul '07 22:23
YouTube
Back to Top