Women as Silent (or not)

Day 290: 1 Timothy 2:1-15

“I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” - 1 Timothy 2:12 ESV

I was in one of our Life Groups a few years back and heard one of our female students say, "I don't like this" when reacting to this passage. I have to agree with her. When I only look at the words on the page (without context), it bothers me as well.

Is the local church supposed to have hard patriarchy where the women are second-class members? This was certainly true in first-century Jewish and Greek culture. William Barclay wrote, "The respectable Greek woman led a very confined life. She lived in her own quarters into which no one but her husband came. She did not even appear at meals."

In light of Galatians 3:28 (check it out), we can't imagine this is what Paul had in mind when he said "quiet." There has to be something more cultural (not intercultural) happening in the local context as we read this 1 Timothy passage.

From Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2) to Philip's four daughters (Acts 21:9) to Junia the missionary (Romans 16:7) to Priscilla who helped teach Apollos (Acts 18:26) to Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:46-55) to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18) -- we see that women were not silent. We have been the better for it. Paul, in another place, gives instructions on how women were supposed to prophesy in the church services (see 1 Corinthians 11:5).

Everyone in the body of Christ has a role to play (Ephesians 4:16). This does not undermine the role of men in the church. On the contrary, when women live their lives in faith, love, holiness, and self-control, everyone in the church benefits (I pray these four over my daughter every day).

So this passage doesn't oppress women; it instead gives them a seat at the table.

Men are still supposed to be the lead servants in the marriage relationship (see Ephesians 5:21-33) and in local church leadership (see our reading for tomorrow), but we are equal in value, both in the church, our homes and even in culture.