Subject: Should women be allowed to preach? |
Bible Note: Dear Grace and Truth, in what seems to be a passionate response, you seem to be saying that 1 Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. Says something other than what it says. I am suggesting that we do indeed declare that the Word is true and mans opinions and interpretations that go beyond the text are suspect. This verse means what it says. To go beyond what it says and say that women should not Preach or Teach the Gospel is wrong. To agree with the text and say that "women should not teach, nor to usurp authority over the man" is correct. Now whether a woman should be a Pastor is not mentioned here, though it is elsewhere. I will not take that up at this time. That women did not teach in the New Testament or Acts is a lie and not the Word of God. The Word of God tells a different story. Here are a few examples. Acts 18:26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. The text says THEY expounded unto Apollos the way of God more perfectly. Priscilla is included so I will agree with God's Word that a woman was used to teach a man along with her husband as a team. Let God be true but every prejudice of men all lies. Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, Here the women are teaching, and we are convinced they are teaching the Word. Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. They did labour in the Gospel and you might say it was not in preaching or teaching but that would be an opinion not the Word. It is interesting how some will apply the term "labor in the Gospel" in all other passages to mostly that of preaching, but then in this one they feel like they should change it so that their prejudice and rebellious spirit toward listening to a woman teacher can find justification. Acts 21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. Now we know that prophesy has to do with words that come out of the mouth. The women here are in a gathering that includes Paul and Luke, and other saints. A church gathering. They are speaking words out of their mouths, according to Paul in 1 Cor 14 they are doing this to edify the church. So ok if you insist on saying a woman cannot teach in the church, even though as I posted that is not the exact wording of 1 Tim 2:12 but an interpretation, then at least you will agree that women can prophesy. I love to hear women prophesy don't you? May God bless you in your study of His Word. |