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"I do not permit a woman to teach..."

Text: 1 Timothy 2:12

FURTHER THOUGHTS

The apostle Paul went further concerning the role of women in the church. His words must be carefully examined in order to comprehend what he meant.

“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.”

1 Timothy 2:11-12

1. “Let a woman learn”

a) This phrase was written in the imperative.

b) This was an apostolic command.

c) The word “learn”.

i) It is the verbal idea behind the noun “disciple”.

ii) Paul’s emphasis was that the women should first learn to be disciples.

d) How should she learn?

i) In silence (that is, “with a quiet spirit”).

ii) With all submission (as befitting a disciple learning about her faith).

2. “And I do not permit a woman to teach”

a) Again we have an apostolic command.

b) This was also written in the imperative mode.

3. What did Paul have in mind when he wrote “to teach?”

a) This is a reference to a ministry of teaching.

i) As an apostle

ii) As a pastor

b) This is consistently practised by the church in the first century.

i) There were no women apostles.

ii) There were no women pastors either.

4. “Or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence”

a) This further augments the earlier thought.

b) The role of an apostle or a pastor would include authority over men.

The emphasis on being “in silence” must be understood in the context of learning.