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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:
Biblicalman, There is a woman who preaches at the church i attend.. Are they wrong for doing that? For allowing her to preach? Thanks Julia |
Bible Answer: Hi Julia, It is not in my gift to pass judgment on others. What is in my gift is to explain what in my view the Scripture teaches and to do it as best as in me is with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I am not one of those who claim infallibility because 'the Holy Spirit spoke through me'. Nor will I say that the Holy Spirit 'gives the gift of preaching' contrary to the teaching of Scripture. If the Scripture teaches that only men should preach then clearly it is error to say that the Holy Spirit gives the gift to women, for He wrote Scripture. He will not go against Himself. The question must always be, not what seems reasonable to me, but what does the Scripture teach. Do you not think that it is significant that Jesus appointed only men as His Apostles? There were women who preached in other religions in Jesus' day. Why did Jesus not strike out and appoint women? As Paul stated, 'i do not allow a woman to teach/preach or usurp authority over a man.' Now that is quite clear except to those who do not want to see it. The question comes as to at what point a woman can teach. And it is significant that in all the New Testament references to the ministry of women it never includes preaching and teaching. The only exception is where an older woman teaches younger women to love their husbands and children and to behave rightly (Titus 2.3 ff.) While women certainly prophesied it is never stated that they did it before men. Now like you i find this difficult to understand. My sister was a preacher and taught the Scriptures as a teacher (but the latter is not in church). She would have dismissed what I am saying in an instant (although not by citing Scripture). And I sympathise. As i mentioned previously i recognise that God has worked through women on the missionfield. And I find it diffiult to understand. But every effort that I have made to justify that position from Scripture has failed. I would be delighted if someone could prove me wrong. But after a lifetime of trying to prove otherwise in the end I have to accept that Scripture is clear on the subject, even though i do not like it. It is you who must decide whether your church is doing wrong in going against Scripture |