I think it is sometimes difficult for women to find their places in the body of Christ. We are consumed with having our voices heard, getting equal pay for equal work, getting ahead, or showing that we are as good as the men and can do anything they can do.
This is even happening in the church today. Women want to be in the limelight, being recognized for their abilities, and not left out. Some think they are more capable of directing the church worship than the men. Some think the church is just being old fashioned and following traditions of men.
When we study the scriptures, we know this isn’t true. God’s plan is for the men to be in charge and take the lead in worship, and women are to keep silent.
So what does God expect from me as a Christian woman? Paul tells Titus in Titus 2:3-4 (NKJV), “The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed”.
Obviously, the young women should be receptive to learning the things Paul says older women are to teach. Younger women do not always want to listen to older women, but these instructions are from the inspired Word of God. Older women are to teach; younger women are to listen.
Paul told Timothy in I Timothy 2:9-12 (NKJV), “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence”.
These are not traditions, but they are commands given by God. They are just as applicable today as they were when Paul wrote them. God bless us as women, Christians in the Lord’s body, that we will obey God’s will.
Sandra Oliver
I understand my place but I have a hard time with women in any Bible class teaching or giving their opinion when men are in the room. I was raised that it is only class time, but giving my opinion on a scripture is that not teaching?
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Dear Nancy,
Thank you for your question, and let’s think about the word “teach” as it relates to men.
The Bible says “singing” is “teaching” (Col. 3:16), so any woman who “sings” in the presence of men will “teach a man.”
Acts 18:26 tells us both Priscilla and Aquila “taught” a man: “and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more accurately.”
The Bible does prohibit ladies from “teaching men” (1 Tim 2:12 says “But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness“), but we need to consider what the word translated “teach” in this verse means.
Thayer’s Greek lexicon (p. 144) says the word “teach” in 1 Tim. 2:12 means “to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses.”
Women may “teach” others, including men in ways like Col. 3:16; Acts 18:26 describe, but they are forbidden from “teaching” in the sense described in 1 Tim. 2:12 (i.e. they are not allowed to teach a Bible class with men in it, preach a sermon with men present, etc. as these are examples of a “didactic discourse”).
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Singing and speaking are two different actions, and singing can’t be called teaching, but we are commanded to teach through singing.
Though the Lord commanded the woman not to teach the man in 1 Timothy 2:11-14, the context was one of authority. The reasons given for woman not teaching the man is that Adam was formed first and the woman was the one who transgressed by being deceived, not the man. The same context and teaching is found in 1 Cor 11:2-15 which is again in a context of authority. The reason added to this subject in 1 Cor 11 for the man being the head is that woman came from man’s rib. Thus, in an authority context, the woman is to remain silent. Does it really matter what definition a dictionary gives to the word teach if the woman in the context is to remain silent?
Singing is not an individual action in the New Testament – but collective – singing to one another. Thus, the context is not one of authority.
In the context of singing, the woman is not only allowed to join in with the others but commanded to do so. Thus, there is no question of individual authority in singing. In actuality the one who writes the words of the songs is the one doing the teaching, but the individual members agree with the words and sing those words to each other. Thus, the individuals together teach and admonish each other through songs and hymns and spiritual songs.
Another exception is in Acts 18 where both Aquila and Priscilla teach Apollos. However, it cannot be denied that Apollos was not a member of the Lord’s body when Priscilla taught him because he had the wrong baptism. He only knew the baptism of John. The context then is not members teaching members, but members of the Lord’s body teaching one who was not a member of the Lord’s body.
To follow this example would be for God’s daughters to teach those men who are not God’s sons. If this example is applied out of its context, it goes beyond scripture. There is no record of a daughter of God teaching a man who is a son of God in scripture. There is teaching against such, but not for.
If I knew the link, I would include a link to the article about baptism and whether John’s baptism and Jesus’ baptism were the same. Understand the baptism issue is paramount to understanding this issue too.
What about old testament Deborah? Also, read on the priestess who saw Jesus. Paul wrote his letters that way because in that specific place, the women were running everything. However, many times in the Bible God used women. Esther is another example.
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When God was unhappy with Israel, he let women and children rule over them.
Isaiah 3:11-12
11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
Additionally, note that Deborah was doing what the male leader in Israel failed to do. God will get his work done through those who are willing to be used. Why did God give the honor to Deborah? Read verses 8 and 9 very carefully.
Judges 4:6-9
6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
What about someone who thought his subservient role was an insult to his value or to his intelligence? Remember what happened to Korah (Num. 16:1-11, 19-34).
What about a people that just didn’t like who their ruler was, and wanted to change the “system” (1 Sam. 8:4 -7)?
A woman’s value is not less because of her secondary position. Her value is seen by how she executes her duties before her Heavenly Father.