Free Bible Commentary
“1 Timothy 2:11-15”
Categories: 1 Timothy“A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”
---End of Scripture verses---
This is a foreign text to many people in the denominational world, and even to many in Christ’s church, because a lot of folks either don’t believe or like what it teaches. In all honesty, this IS a difficult passage to read, and, in some respects, to understand. But one thing is clear from this and other parts of the Bible: women are to be in subjection to men in the Lord’s kingdom. There, I said it. No wait a minute. God said it. God said “entire submissiveness” (verse 11).
I believe that when Paul wrote in verse 12 that he did “not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man,” that he was commanding that a woman must not teach a man in an authoritative way. I was introduced to the truth by a wonderful woman (Judy Runyon). I thank God that He used her to plant the seed of salvation in my heart that eventually led me to obey the Gospel and become a Christian. She would always be quoting Bible verses to me. She was always inviting me to church services. These were exactly the kinds of things that God wanted her to do.
But, just as men are to be the ones leading prayers in mixed company (verse 10), men should be the ones teaching and leading and exercising authority in that setting as well. The reason that God has given men the role of leadership in His kingdom is because that is the order that He intentionally established from the very beginning of His creation of humanity. God, in His perfect knowledge, wisdom and authority, created the man (Adam) first, and then He made the woman (Eve) as a help suitable for him (verse 13). A second reason given for God’s arrangement is that “it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman” (verse 14).
More on this passage tomorrow Lord willing.
You are invited to come worship God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ.
We assemble at 3741 Taylorsville Road in Louisville Kentucky.
9:30 AM Bible classes for all ages. 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM worship services.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
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