Perversions of 1 Timothy 2:11-15

11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Like many other passages 1 Timothy 2:11-15 is under attack. There are those who do not like what it teaches. They want to expand the leadership role of women in the church beyond what God has allowed. So like those described by Peter (2 Peter 3:16) they wrest or twist this passage to try to deny its obvious meaning. In fact, there are several ways this passage is presently being perverted.

DOES 1 TIMOTHY 2:11-15 STILL APPLY TODAY?
There are those who say that 1 Timothy 2:11-15 was a temporary solution to a cultural problem. These people argue that where Timothy was preaching and working women were overstepping their roles, and refusing to listen to anyone or let anyone have authority over them. People who accept this argument claim that Paul, in an effort to calm this temporary problem, gave a temporary injunction that the women not take a leadership role over men. There are two obvious problems with this idea. 1) There is no indication in the text that what Paul was saying was temporary, nor that it was limited to the place where Timothy was working. Paul makes it plain in verse12 that it was his practice not to let a woman exercise authority over men in the spiritual realm. 2) Even if it was true that it was a temporary problem due to the aggressiveness of those women, we also live in a day when many women will not accept restraint or authority over them. Why would not this answer have an equal application in our day?

DOES 1 TIMOTHY 2:11-15 ONLY APPLY TO THE WORSHIP SERVICE?
Some recognize that this passage does not allow women to teach over men or to lead in prayer, but they argue that this restriction is limited to the worship service. People who make this argument allow women to teach Bible classes where men are present, and some even allow women to lead in prayer in informal devotional and class settings when men are present. Verse 8 clearly shows the error of this reasoning. The guidelines Paul is laying down are for ‘everywhere.’ Women can speak up in a Bible class, but they cannot be the teachers and have authority over a Bible class where men are present, because that is teaching over a man.

DOES 1 TIMOTHY 2:11-15 ONLY FORBID WOMEN TO TAKE AUTHORITY ON THEMSELVES TO LEAD IN PRAYER OR TEACH?
Some argue that since the KJV uses the phrase ‘usurp authority,’ if the men give that authority to a woman, she is not ‘usurping’ it, so she is not sinning. This is a misunderstanding or misapplication of the word ‘usurp.’ This can be easily seen by comparing other translations. The ASV and the NKJV and even the more liberal and unreliable translations such as the NASV and the NIV all translate that Paul does not allow a woman to ‘have’ or ‘exercise’ authority over a man. Paul didn’t give authority to women to lead over men in spiritual things, so we cannot do so either.

THE NEWEST DODGE
Just this morning I read a new one. A man was actually arguing that the passage should read that Paul does not allow a woman to teach that women should have authority over a man. In other words, this man believes there is not problem with a woman teaching and leading in spiritual things, as long as she doesn’t teach that a woman has authority over men. I have 10 different translations/paraphrases of the New Testament on my computer. Some of the translations were done by groups of scholars. Not one translation, not even one paraphrase, translates this verse as this man suggests. Why? The word ‘nor.’ There are two things Paul does not allow:
1) He does not allow a woman to teach over a man.
2) ‘Nor’ does he allow a woman to exercise authority over a man. This verse is not about what a woman teaches, it is about where and over whom she does her teaching.

This idea is just one more dodge, one more perversion, one more twisting of God’s word in an effort to justify modern trends. We need to remember that they which wrest (twist) the scripture do so to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). Rusty

Family Bulletin Board

Remember in prayer and with cards, phone calls, or visits those who have chronic illnesses: Delsie Bishop, Reva Brewer, Ella Brumitt, Eloise Deaton, Jamie Farmer, Francis Ferren, Elizabeth Fowler, Savannah Green, Lola Mae Hamlett, Louise Hunt, and Edith Lechenet.

ROMANS 12:15 – Weep with them that weep.
Larry Herren’s father passed away Thursday night.

COMING EVENTS:
RIB ROAST - September 6th at Tom & Danielle‘s home. A sign-up sheet has been posted in the foyer.

September 7th - 10th , with Gary Colley. The theme this year is “What the Gospel Holds for Modern Man”.
Invitations are in the foyer. Please try to bring someone.

BIBLE CLASS ADVANCEMENT will be September 14th.