1 Timothy 2:8-15
Devotions for Sunday 17th August
If I could choose the most awkward passage of scripture to discuss, then this would be it! In this passage, Paul appears to express views about the subordination of women (2:8-12) which are not acceptable to many today, and backs this up with comments about Genesis 3 and the creation of men and women which are not at all straightforward!
Large numbers of Christians have believed for centuries that this passage justifies the view that women have no place in the teaching ministry of the church and used it with other texts to bar women from ministry. The passage serves this purpose well because the notion that women are secondary in God’s creation (2:13,14) appears insurmountable for anyone who might wish to suggest a different way of reading this text. However, I will challenge the traditional view of this text because it is not consistent with the rest of scripture, and I have concluded that what Paul is describing here is a special instance or circumstance in the life of the church, and once we have worked out what it is, all will become clear.
For example, Genesis 2 does not suggest that a man has a priority over his wife before God; indeed, the conclusion of Genesis 2 says that a man must make the greater sacrifice and ‘leave his father and mother and cling to his wife, and they become one flesh’ (Gen 2:24). This scripture expresses the unity of man and woman in the image of God (see also 1:27) and a deep mystery of God (Eph 5:32). In addition, the whole New Testament tells us that all are saved through faith in Christ alone, whether male or female, slave or free (as in Galatians 3:28 etc.). The issue of women’s ‘salvation through childbirth’ refers back to the nature of the fallen world described in Genesis 3:14-19 – see verse 16), and Paul quotes this to make a point about family responsibilities for those who are saved, not an alternative explanation about how women are saved! It would be utterly scandalous to the rest of the Bible to suggest otherwise!
The basis of our understanding of this passage lies in accepting that Paul is describing here what happened in his own day when men and their wives attend synagogue or church worship as happened in the earliest days of the church. It is clear throughout 1 Timothy that Paul was advising Timothy about how to handle or manage ‘church life’ issues.
Firstly, there is plenty of evidence that Paul was concerned about the cultural issues of his day, which meant that men and women were separated for worship as in Jewish synagogue worship. Then, when the men prayed and listened to the reading of scriptures and its explanation, their wives gathered in a separated part of the synagogue and chatted! Now when the church began to grow, many women were filled with the Holy Spirit, and some began teaching other women in synagogues but in two separate groups, and they would sometimes make quite a noise discussing their faith (see also 1 Cor 14:34f.)! If you read what Paul says here carefully with this in mind, it is clear that all he is saying is that this should not happen! Women should present themselves for worship like men (2:9,10) and not as chattels of fashion. Secondly, women should learn their faith with their husbands, not separately from them (2:12). Paul does not allow women authority ‘over’ men in teaching, but nowhere does he say that teaching is a matter of domination on the part of men, or anyone else! The authority of teaching as far as Paul was concerned lay in the Word itself, and not the teacher. The one who taught exercised a gift and was responsible for it, as we will discover in reading the rest of 1 Timothy. If we imply that teaching is a matter of exercising authority, then we have forsaken a Biblical model of teaching for a worldly one!
Paul undoubtedly asks women to be quiet and learn with submission, but this is hardly different from what he would say to men, and his saying it to women may sound ‘anti-feminine’ but I do not believe that this is the intention of scripture here. Paul’s main point in verse 8 is that what happens in church should be ‘without argument and dissent’. I am afraid that if you wish to hear more from me on this subject, you will have to wait for my further comments in a full Bible study of the passage!
8 I would like men to pray everywhere, holding up holy hands without argument or dissent. 9 In the same way, women should present themselves with modesty and decency, and dress themselves with good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes; 10 but with those good deeds which are fitting for a woman who claims to be religious.
11 A woman should learn quietly with all obedience, 12 and I allow no woman to teach or have authority over a man but must remain quiet. 13 Adam was indeed formed first, then Eve, 14 and Adam was not led astray, but the woman was deceived and became the one who sinned; 15 but she will be saved through bearing children, if they remain in faith, love and holiness, with self-control.
© All text and pictures on this page copyright Paul H Ashby 2008 - all rights reserved
To read the questions and discipleship challenges for this text: go to the discipleship page
Lord God, I offer my all to You in worship. May I honour you with my mind, sing to You from my heart, speak with You from within my soul, praise You with all my strength, raise You up with my spirit, and know and feel Your presence through all I do. This is my prayer, Lord God; fill my life today I pray. AMEN
I heard a voice say; ‘Child, your simple faith will make you whole.’
I said ‘Thank You’ and did my best whilst asking for His help.
I heard a voice say, ‘Child, as you trust me, I will give you strength.’
I said ‘Thank You’ and prayed, awaiting the Holy Spirit.
I heard a voice say ‘Child, my love will make you into a bright light!’
I said ‘Thank You’ and wondered how He might use me.
I heard a voice say ‘Child, my patience towards you will never end.’
I said ‘Thank You’ and realised what was going on.
You see;
Jesus was reaching out to me but I was always one step behind;
I was trying to do things for myself to bring about what He had said.
But what I had to do was receive the gifts He gave me there and then,
And keep going on. I was not waiting for Him; He was waiting for me!
Weekly Theme: Community Spirit
‘Community’ is important for us all, and we all chose whether our lives are lived around work, family, church, social clubs or pubs. Pray for God’s guidance for your own choices.
On-going prayers
- Pray against hatred in the world, and pray for peacemakers
- Pray for athletes at the Olympic Games
- Give thanks to God for those who enrich your life
