Subject: should females pastor |
Bible Note: Hello DOC2, This is an often-debated topic. The other half of the verse you quoted (1 Tim. 2:12) says, "...or to have authority over a man". This would seem to preclude a women from the role of Pastor. That does not mean that a woman cannot "minister"- as we're all called to do so- it just means not in a role of authority:-)To help frame the perspective, verse 13 gives the reason. "For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve." The Commentary Critical makes these notes on 1 Tim. 2:12-13: 12. usurp authority—“to lord it over the man” [Alford], literally, “to be an autocrat.” 13. For—reason of the precept; the original order of creation. Adam - first—before Eve, who was created for him (1 Cor. 11:8, 9). The Bible Knowledge Commentary offers this: 2:11-12. "In emphasizing godly conduct for women, Paul stressed, with Peter, “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:4). The females in the congregation should receive instruction from the male leadership with quietness and full submission. They should not attempt to turn the tables by clamoring for the office of congregational teacher or by grasping for authority over men. Rather they should, literally, “be in quietness.” The word, hesychia (Gr.), translated “quietness” in 1 Timothy 2:11 and silent in verse 12, does not mean complete silence or no talking. It is clearly used elsewhere (Acts 22:2; 2 Thes. 3:12) to mean “settled down, undisturbed, not unruly.” A different word (sigao) means “to be silent, to say nothing” (cf. Luke 18:39; 1 Cor. 14:34). 2:13. Why is such a quiet and submissive spirit “of great worth in God’s sight”? (1 Peter 3:4) Because it manifests an understanding and acceptance of His design for the human race. As elsewhere (cf. 1 Cor. 11:8-10), Paul here based his view of male - female relationships in the church on the account of Creation recorded in Genesis 2. He made no reference whatever to the so-called “curse” of Genesis 3:16. Rather, the roles Paul spelled out here are a product of God’s fundamental design wherein Adam was formed first, then Eve (cf. Gen. 2:7-25). More is involved here than mere chronological priority. Paul saw the priority in time as indicative of the leadership given to the male, to which the woman, the “helper suitable for him” (Gen. 2:18), should respond." Speaking the Truth In Love, BradK |