1 Timothy 1-6
December 26, 2014


Paul's teaching on women is often at odds with people within the church.   Some want to take the teaching literally, and not allow women to have any authority, others look at the passage as being addressed to their culture, not ours.

I think that there is truth in both points of view.  Let me explain.

Paul lived in a different culture, a culture in which women were regarded almost the same as property.  No one is saying that is right, but it simply was what it was.   In fact, Paul himself was born into this culture so he must have some leaning toward it.    Therefore, there's no reason why women should insist that they share leadership roles...Christianity dictates that we are all to consider ourselves as servants, not leaders.  If the Bible says "one sex is in charge" that cannot mean that they are superior, or even the authority...since all leading and direction come from God.   Even within the men, there are few that are chosen to lead and all the rest follow.  No one complains about that, because everyone understands that the vast majority are to follow, not lead.   We also understand that leaders are followers as well.  There is always another leader above us, and Christ above all.

When it comes to being in charge, there are many things to be in charge of.  Women are often in charge of those things most valuable, and most personal.   Children must be taught and provided with a home, and women are often the leaders there.

I suppose this seems sexist, and I don't mean it to be at all.  So let me explain a little further.
If God clearly anoints a women to be in charge, like he has before in the Old Testament (Deborah) then that person should be followed without regard for their sex.  When God speaks and calls and gifts a person who are we to second guess that?   But in the absence of any specific calling or leading from the Lord, we should default to having men in charge.

I have learned from experience that I am more likely to be effective if I am in a role where much is expected from me.  If I am one of the helpers, I tend to be far less effective.   I have noticed that most men will "drift away" from the job if they aren't in charge of something.    On the other hand, women most often stay on the job, even when they aren't in charge.

I wonder if God set this idea up for our benefit, and not because he thought men were superior in some way?   there's nothing in scripture that tells us that men are superior, and as for Paul's argument that sin came through a woman, he also balances that by saying that the Savior was also born of a woman.  Without women there is no salvation...Christ could not have come.    I think in Paul's way of thinking that "evens the score".    

All of this to say that we should encourage our men to take the roles that God has called them to.  The Church needs all of us, and none of us are any better than the others.  Men should fill the role that God called them to, and so should women.    Because our culture is different, and women are viewed with more liberality that they were in the first century, we should not take the position that women cannot be in charge.  Clearly, God has placed women in charge in the past.   Regardless to whom the mantle of leadership falls, we should obey with great joy, because God has spoken, and will bless those who are obedient.

PR