The relationship between man and woman is compaired to Christ and the church. Christ is the head and the church, which is the body, can never exercise authority over Christ. Nor is the woman allowed to exercise authority over her head.

God made man in His image and he is the image and glory of God. Woman is not the glory of God!! She is a weaker vessel(1Pet.3:7) and is the glory of man. (1Cor.11:7)

This is God’s order: God is the head of Christ; Christ is the head of Man; and man is the head of the woman.(1Cor.11:3) No one has the authority to change God’s order by twisting the word or through their own interpretation.

The qualifications given for a elder, in all cases, was, they were to be the HUSBAND of one wife. (1Tim.3:2;Ti.1:6)

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:35, that it is “improper” or “disgraceful” for a woman to speak in church. He didn’t say just your women or just in your church. And what he wrote to them was the “Lord’s commanment.” (Vs.37)

Finally, “If anyone advocates a diferent doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.”(1Tim.6:3-5)

Instead of explaining away the plain word of God give specific Scriptures that give woman the authority to preach or exercise authority over men.

Ron Garber

1. We must start with the fact that 1 Tim. 2:11-15 is a difficult passage. Scholars have argued over exactly what Paul meant for centuries. So, I would suggest that we all need to be a bit tentative about our conclusions. It’s possible that you are correct that Paul would not have women in any leadership in the church. However, there may other conclusions that are possible.

2. I’m sure you would agree that good hermeneutics are always our starting place. That is, we must seek to understand any passage in its original historical context. From 1 Tim. 5:3-16 and 2 Tim. 3:5-9, we know that there was a specific problem with women in Ephesus that was of great concern to Paul. False teachers were “gaining control over weak-willed women” (2 Tim. 3:6). And, it’s likely these same women who are going from “house to house” (house church to house church?) spreading “gossip” and “saying things they ought not to” (1 Tim. 5:13. Some had even “turned away to follow Satan”. (v. 14). Further, these women were “overcome by sensual desires” (1 Tim. 5:11) and dressing in an immodest manner (1 Tim. 2:9). In short, some of the women in Ephesus were causing a real mess and this is what Paul was thinking about when he penned these words.

3. So, it is at least possible that here, as in 1 Cor. 11, Paul is addressing a specific situation and is not intending universal applications. This would be the position of NT scholar, Gordon Fee, who writes: “By saying, “I am not permitting a woman to teach or have authority over a man” (1 Tim. 2:12), Paul focuses particularly on the situation in Ephesus. Such language as this, as well as the “I want” in v. 8, lacks any sense of universal imperative for all situations.” New International Biblical Commentary. 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus. p. 77.

4. Finally, I would argue that the analogy of the family should still bear on our understanding. A healthy marriage is not a “command and control” relationship where the husband is continually “exercising his authority” over the wife. Rather, the husband and wife are working together as a team to give leadership to the family. See 1 Pet 3:8. I believe both Paul and Peter would desire to see this same dynamic in the house churches.

Seen in this light, a proper understanding of 1 Tim. 2 does not require that we exclude women from leadership in the church. Hope that helps.

Everything is right for our listing in Colorado Springs.

Thanks,
Bill

Now, i firmly believe that the Lord has called me to move to the Denver area, very soon. I’m looking forward to it; and am looking to be led by the Spirit of God as to what exact day and exactly where.
Our God has been using me to actively exhort the Brothers to true fellowship here in Columbus, the way the Bible says, rather than according to the traditions of men. We’ve been gathering in each others’ houses, and at public parks, breaking bread together, having things in common, and also generally living a lifestyle interdependent with one another. It has been great, and it has been challenging.

I somewhat desire to stay and remain edifying the body of Christ here, because there is much work to be done; however the Lord has called me to heed His voice,in Colorado. I am not nearly a rich man. However, the Lord has made me a steward. I have a virtuous wife, two daughters, and a son on the way. I’m not yet aware of the Father’s provision for our living arrangements, my occupation/employment, etc., in Colorado. However, i do believe that we (you and i) do have all things in common, since we are the body of Christ. I beseech you Brethren to assist me in getting settled there in Colorado. Please talk to the Father about this. May the Spirit of God bear witness with our spirit. And may the path to my Colorado residence be made clear.

My phone cell phone # is 614-446-2295.

My wife’s name is Shiloh/India.
Her cell phone # is 614-432-5191.

Our home # is 614-846-2655.

Please call us whenever it is convenient.

Godspeed.

Very good insight and exhortation. May I post it?