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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: i would like to know if this holds true if you have a women pastor, she cannot teach or preach...because the way i understand this is paul is talking to the ephesian women at a point in time. and i have had men tell me that a women shall not preach to a man. and i don't think that way.... |
Bible Answer: Part 2 0f 2 Now to add to this, we see here that prophesying in the church was allowed and encouraged by Paul but told to do it in an orderly manner two or three at the most and let the other judge, or in other words he says, the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet and so the other has the power to wait to give his prophecy and not interrupt another. We have heard different interpretations of what this prophesy means. Some say it is like the charismatic gift of prophesy spoken by the modern charismatic church, others say it is the same as preaching the word. Some say it is neither and is passed away. That is another path to explore, but for now consider that regardless of your view, it was certainly some form of speaking and and had to do with ministry. Now if Paul had taught that a woman was not allowed to partake of this then Paul would be contradicting the Holy Spirit, and we know that is not true. Let me give another verse to help make this clear. Acts 21:8-9 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. This reference in Acts is in no way a negative about the daughters but a glorification of God. This is a testimony of the Holy Spirit continuing to be poured out on all flesh as Peter preached in Acts 2. I have never heard a scholar yet (though there may some) that have ventured to suggest that these daughters prophesied with any different prophesy than that which is spoken of by Paul in 1 Cor 14 when he is giving instruction on how to prophesy in order in the church. So we have a meeting of saints, a local assembly here in Acts 21 and we have 4 daughters of Philip who prophesy with the same gift. Now these are women, and they are speaking in ministry of prophesy in the church. If you are going to say that was different because it was not preaching or teaching, then you have to at least change your view that prophesy is the same as teaching and preaching the word. If you’re willing to do that then you are going to have to deal with what this prophesy is that Paul said we should all earnestly desire. But again regardless of your view of prophesy, it was speaking and it was ministry and it was in the church. So Paul could not have meant that women cannot minister in the Church, but rather they should not be disruptive. 1 Corinthians 14:27-28 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 1 Corinthians 14:29-30 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. All three exhortations to keep silent or not speak is not about a ban on ministry by gender but an instruction on how to minister in order. We can also read verses like these 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. That show that Priscilla was used to teach a man that was considered mighty in the scriptures. We have to also look at the whole spirit of New testament Theology. We know that Jesus freed us from the legal restrictions spelled out under the Levitical law of such things as the woman having to be secluded at certain times of the month and many other burdens too numerous to mention. We know that Jesus brought to us who are born again an understanding concerning a walk of Love that will fulfill all the Law. We know that it is not within the spirit of the Gospel of Christ to put women into a legal rule of bondage that has no meaning or purpose. This is why it is so obviously a misinterpretation. When men quote “women should keep silent in the church” and “I suffer not a woman to teach” and carry it out as some kind of New Testament Law after the order of the Levitical Laws, they are obviously taking the phrase out of context and also adding their own understanding such as “Teach the Word” which is not what it says. May God bless you as you study His Word. |