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NASB | 1 Timothy 2:12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 2:12 I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet [in the congregation]. |
Bible Question:
Rom 16:1 "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;" This was the only passage I could find concerning Phoebe. I don't see a mention of her being a deacon in this passage. It mentions in Romans 16:2 that she was "a helper to many". This I believe is a biblical role for a woman. I think the issue is in the authority of a woman. By today's definition a deacon may not necessarily have authority. It seams that was not the case in the early church however as the verses point out in the qualifications listed, it seems that being male is a requirment. What I'm concerned and alarmed with is the trend of 'reading into' scripture' what we want to see. (having our ears tickled) rather than in humility submiting to God's perogative in the roles of men and women. If culture dictates our belief. what kind of faith is that? Faulty. God's word is the basis for our faith, everything else is subjective to fad and popular whim. I did find some other passages that put limits on who could be a deacon, though. Phil 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:" 1 Tim 3:8 "Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain," 1 Tim 3:10 "These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach." 1 Tim 3:12 "Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households" 1 Tim 3:13"For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus." I am concerned that we use scripture, not popular opinion, to defend our faith. Do you have any scripture to defend a woman having authority over a man? |
Bible Answer: Greetings, Romans 16:1 literally reads, "But I commend to you Phoebe our sister and deacon of the church in Cenchrea. (My translation based upon the 26th Edition of Nestle Aland's Greek Text)." The term translated as 'servant' in both the KJV and the NIV is the same word translated in 1 Tim. 3:8 and 3:12 as 'deacons.' The difficulty is in deciding what the word means in this text. The word 'deacon' is used in many ways in the New Testament. In the Gospels, it always refers to a servant (Mt. 20:26, 22:13, 23:11, Mk. 9:35, 10:43, Jn. 2:5, 9, and 12:26). It is used in the same way a number of times in the rest of the New Testament (Rom. 13:4, 15:8, 1 Cor. 3:5, 2 Cor. 6:4, 11:15, 11:23, Gal. 2:17 (Servants of sin), Eph. 3:7, 6:21, Phil. 1:1, Col. 1:7, 23, 4:7, and 1 Tim. 4:6). Then there are several passages where it seems to describe an office (2 Cor. 3:6, Col. 1:25, 1 Tim. 3:8, and 3:12). The question then is which meaning applies in Rom. 16:1? Given that the other two occurances of this word in Romans definitely do not describe a deacon of the church, I would say it is used in the more general sense of a servant rather than a deacon. However, I could be wrong. Tim Moran |